GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

SnoopyStyle Duncan Shorter (Joshua Jackson) is a struggling 25 year old in Minnesota, and gets fired from yet another job. He lets his married brother Jacob and Jacob's mistress use his apartment. He visits his grandfather Ronald Shorter (Donald Sutherland) who is struggling with Parkinson's, and his grandmother Ruth (Louise Fletcher). His visiting nurse Kate (Juliette Lewis) fears Alzheimer's. Duncan falls for Kate. He gets a handyman job at his grandparents' retirement apartment. He is still haunted by his father's death 10 years ago.The story with Duncan and Kate is rather standard rom-com. It's not the highest comedy but the two leads are solid performers. They are perfectly fine with some fun moments. It's nothing special. Sutherland is the more interesting part of this movie and the more complicated part. His relationship with Duncan holds far more compelling drama. Concentrating on that would obviously change the tone of the movie. It's a choice to make this special but also poses specific dangers. At least, it would be unique.

gradyharp AURORA BOREALIS is a superb film by James Burke ('In Dark Places' and 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple') from a story by Brent Boyd ('The Green Room' and 'Crazy') and if this film is a sample of how these two fine talents collaborate, we can only hope for more. The cast assembled for this movie gives evidence that the actors deeply admire their vision: it is well deserved.The setting is winter in Minneapolis, the hometown of the Shorter family: Grandfather Ronald (Donald Sutherland), Grandmother Ruth (Louise Fletcher), and the two grandsons Duncan (Joshua Jackson) and Jacob (Steven Pasquale). The boys' father died at age 39 (10 years prior to the opening of the story) and both boys grew up on their own, feeling deserted by a father who had been a cocaine abuser at one time. Duncan had been a champion hockey player, but when his father died his goals diminished and he has been in and out of odd jobs without a solid look at his future. Jacob runs a nursing home business and when he is not working, he is bringing his girlfriends to Duncan's flat for trysts. Duncan cares for his grandfather Ronald who has multiple illnesses (Parkinson's Disease, dementia) yet who maintains a humble life with Ruth. As Ronald's condition deteriorates, Duncan takes a handyman's job in the complex where his grandparents live and during this time the two men bond more closely than ever: Ronald's fading mind sees northern lights from his apartment window and Duncan out of love and growing understanding lets him believe they are real. Ronald is aware of his mental instability and lets Duncan know that he would like to take his life with a shotgun, an idea Duncan prevents.Ronald and Ruth have a health care provider Kate (Juliette Lewis) whom they trust and love and encourage Duncan to seek out as a partner. Kate and Duncan date and fill the wide gaps in each other's personalities, yet when the opportunity comes for Kate to move to sunny San Diego, she is unable to make Duncan budge from his safe routine existence in Minneapolis. But as Duncan's resistance is broken down (he learns from a mentor that his father did not die of cocaine abuse, Ronald dies a natural death, etc), he views Kate as the person who can alter his outlook and his life.Every member of this cast is extraordinary: Donald Sutherland creates a man eaten by Parkinson's Disease and dementia without ever becoming a caricature, Louise Fletcher reminds us how self-effacing her acting has always been, Juliette Lewis turns in one of her most sensitive roles, and Joshua Jackson finds every nuance of the troubled but needy Duncan and engages our empathy. Each of the smaller rolls is likewise pitch perfect, no doubt due in large part to the sensitive direction of Burke. It is so refreshing to watch a film as meaningful in message and in skillful acting as this, a movie that restores our confidence in film as art. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

leeloominai-3 The opening scene was filmed on one of the coldest days on record, and vividly illustrates the harsh cold of Minneapolis in winter. The climate and surroundings fit the family's story well, since even in the coldest, harshest reality there is a glimmer of warmth and love.One little annoying detail...they were too cheap to film in San Diego! The San Diego scene was filmed somewhere in LA...we don't have neighborhoods or freeways that look like that...it's only a 2 hour drive...come on.Other than that it was a great film. Donald Sutherland was amazing, he really found the character.

peliculita I had the pleasure of viewing this movie just tonight, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, the acting was amazing. I have never been as impressed and blown away with Donald Sutherland's acting as I was after seeing his performance. This role and his role in Ordinary People have to be his two best roles that I have seen. His performance as an aging grandfather with Parkinson's and ongoing dementia was accurate, heartbreaking and hilarious all at the same time. If I had any influence in the industry, I would try to vouch for him getting at least an Oscar nomination, if not the award itself. Everyone in the movie is amazing as well. It's not often that you see a movie where you forget that you are watching movie stars but actually see the characters in the story, but this film achieved that, and no small feat considering the numerous well known actors in it. I highly recommend the film.