A Walk On The Moon


Starring Diane Lane, Anna Paquin, Liev Schreiber, Viggo Mortensen, Tovah Feldshuh. Written by Pamela Grey. Directed by Tony Goldwyn.

It's the summer of '69 (without the Bryan Adams tune, thank goodness), and the Kantrowitz family is off to the lake and a rented cottage for the summer. Marty (Schreiber) and Pearl (Lane) have a good-natured relaxed relationship. Marty is a TV repairman, and has to drive back home during the week while Pearl, the kids and Marty's mother (Feldshuh) stay at the lake. But more and more, Marty can't get away from work. At the cottage, a travelling salesman nicknamed "The Blouse Man" and named Walker (Mortensen) arrives and in a laid-back, groovy way charms the blouse off of Pearl. Eventually, she calls him and they rendezvous for several romantic interludes, the first of which occurs during Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. When Pearl is gone for awhile, Grandma guesses she is having an affair. She says that she understands Pearl gave up some of her dreams when she married so young, but tries to convince her that this momentary fling is not worth lousing up her family.

Meanwhile, rebellious 14 year-old daughter Alison (Paquin) rails against the unjust war and the corruption of the establishment. And she's discovering boys. She wants to go to Woodstock, some local three day concert festival at a nearby farm, and sneaks away to see it. Eventually she discovers Mommy is having too good a time with the blouse man, and Pearl is forced to confront what she has done, and finds out the effect it will have on her husband and family.

The film deals with infidelity and its effects, and how momentary choices have a deep impact on a person and those around them. The good news is that it is done in an understated, real manner, without the usual histrionics. The script is sweet-natured and even-handed, displaying understanding towards all the characters. Marty is a dutiful and hard-working man, but rigid, not recognizing his wife's growing restlessness. Pearl feels the world has passed her by, since she married young when she got pregnant with Alison. When another man, a very good looking man, shows a passionate interest in her, she can't resist the temptation. The script never has Pearl trying to justify herself. Mortensen starts off as just an easy-going charmer, but develops into a more rounded character by the end, understanding how his actions have caused a great upheaval in the family. Alison is beautifully written as a young women who both pushes away and pulls her family towards her. She rebels against her "square" parents, but deeply desires the security it provides when it appears she may lose it. Alison also experiences the hormonal rollercoaster of trying to impress a boy, and win the approval of her friends. Grandma displays considerable caring and love towards Pearl, understanding her sense of regret and dreams lost, but desiring to keep the family together. The recreation of Woodstock is quite good, recreating the feeling of freedom and fun the festival was supposed to represent.

The excellent script is enhanced by superb performances across the board. Lane has come a long since her early youthful acting, and has developed into a first-rate actress. She brings warmth and decency to a woman who strays, regrets the pain she has caused her family, but is torn over whether to leave them for a potentially exciting, but perhaps illusory future. Schreiber displays depth and skill you would not have guessed from his earlier sometimes lightweight work (Scream 2). Not only can you feel Marty's anger, you feel his sense of betrayal, and not having a clue about what he did wrong. And he really didn't do anything wrong. It was just something his wife was drawn to do. Mortensen smoulders, and one has no problem understanding why Pearl would succumb, but he displays a decency and depth to his character. Paquin continues to prove her Academy Award was no fluke, expertly displaying the conflicting emotions of a teenager, rebelling against her parents but still needing their guidance and stability. A Walk On The Moon is a moving drama with a whole lot of heart. I really liked this film.




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