Two Dramas from Roadside Attractions
Come Early Morning (July 17/07)
The directorial debut of actress Joey Lauren Adams (who also wrote the screenplay), Come Early Morning follows 30-something Lucy Fowler (Ashley Judd) as she attempts to get her life back on track after years of engaging in meaningless one-night stands. With its exceedingly slow pace and plot-free structure, Come Early Morning will never be mistaken for anything other than a laid-back character study - yet there's no denying that the film is, for the most part, an intriguing and thoroughly compelling piece of work. Judd surely deserves the lion's share of kudos for the movie's success, as the actress delivers a performance that's heartbreakingly complex (in her hands, Lucy - as sympathetic a figure as there ever was - manages to come off as tough-as-nails in one scene and achingly vulnerable in the next). Adams' willingness to allow the story to unfold deliberately - coupled with her ear for natural dialogue - lends the proceedings an unmistakable vibe of authenticity, although there's also no denying that the movie is occasionally just a little too meandering for its own good. The inclusion of a few overtly predictable elements - ie the trajectory of Lucy's relationship with Jeffrey Donovan's seemingly down-to-earth Cal Percell - can't quite derail what is otherwise an impressive first effort, and it seems certain that Adams is destined to move onto bigger and better things.
out of
Sleeping Dogs Lie (July 16/07)
It's awfully difficult not to be impressed by how compelling and flat-out touching Sleeping Dogs Lie eventually becomes, as the film features a premise that certainly feels as though it'd be more at home in a disposable gross-out comedy. Melinda Page Hamilton stars as Amy, a sweet and kind-hearted woman whose decision to reveal a long-buried secret (one involving her dog) causes some serious tension with both her boyfriend and her various family members. Filmmaker Bob Goldthwait uses the admittedly risque subject matter as a jumping off point for a story with universal appeal; rather than dwell on Amy's past indiscretion, Goldthwait instead focuses on her efforts to deal with the expectedly horrified reactions of those around her. Anchored by Hamilton's star-making performance, the movie essentially transforms into a engrossing, low-key character study that manages to avoid many of the trappings and cliches of the genre (that things don't quite end up the way one might've predicted is certainly a testament to Goldthwait's surprisingly original screenplay). The inclusion of a few lamentably quirky elements aside, Sleeping Dogs Lie is ultimately an emotionally affecting and thoroughly accomplished piece of work that surely bodes well for Goldthwait's next effort.
out of
