The United States of Leland (2004)
Spoiler Note:
This is an amazing movie. Please see it before you
read anything about it. Don't let this beautiful film
be ruined for you.
It is hard to imagine a film with
more sadness at its core than "The United States of
Leland." It may seem grandiose to compare anything
to "The Catcher in the Rye," especially a film. But
this seems like a modern day "Catcher in the Rye,"
a film that is articulate without being wordy, emotional
without being demonstrative, and sad without being
morose. It may tug on your heartstrings and beg you
to open up your tear ducts and weep but it does so
with such gentleness and such sorrow that one cannot
help but be utterly affected. This is a beautiful
film.
Ryan Gosling is nothing short of
amazing as Leland, a teenage boy who, at the beginning
of the film, kills a retarded youth. Surprisingly
Leland is not angry, not loud, not hiding, and not
retarded himself. He is simply the personification
of overwhelming sadness. Gosling provides just the
right amount of sorrow, shyness and befuddlement without
ever, it seems, emoting much of anything. This is
a strange boy, one like no other character you have
ever seen before. Gosling is pitch perfect.
Don Cheadle is also amazing here.
I have loved this actor since his days on TV's "Picket
Fences." And although he has made some missteps (like
his performance in "Ocean's 11" and his appearance
very close to the character he plays here in "Manic),
I have always hoped to see him in a role that is worthy
of his talents. This is that film. Cheadle is so real
here even though his character is given a couple things
to carry out that don't gel just right. The set-up
with the metal detector works perfectly, but it is
no surprise when the set-up is revealed to be a tool
for an obvious climactic moment. Still, even with
this forced bit of business, Cheadle makes it work.
And he is given much to do that shows just what a
talented and remarkable actor he is. His scenes with
Gosling are beautiful, poignant. Real.
There are a lot of actors here who
do exceptional work. Jena Malone is as fantastic as
we expect her to be. Chris Klien is finally given
a meaty supporting role and makes amazing work of
it. Martin Donovan, Lena Olin, Kevin Spacey, Ann Magnuson
and Sherilyn Fenn also provide great support. Everyone
here is on the same page. Everyone here is in the
same key.
"The United States of Leland" is
one of the most remarkable films you will ever see.
Ever.
Note:
Written and directed by Matthew
Ryan Hoge.
Spacey is one of the producers.
Several songs by Frank Black and/or
the Pixies are used.
The film played at Sundance in 2003
and is scheduled for a April 2004 arthouse run by
Paramount Classics.
Viewed at SXSW
in March of 2004 at the Millennium Youth Entertainment
Complex.
