Search - Laurel Canyon

Writer/director Lisa Cholodenko follows up her much-acclaimed 1997 debut High Art with this examination of a young couple seduced into a hedonistic, left-coast lifestyle. Taking its title from its central locale, Laurel Canyon focuses on a pair of upper-middle class lovebirds from the East Coast who relocate to Los Angeles. Freshly minted from Harvard, Sam (Christian Bale) and Alex (Kate Beckinsale) are eager to continue their medical studies out West, but they need some lodging while they hunt for a home. Enter Jane (Frances McDormand), Sam's estranged, Age-of-Aquarius mom, who's more than willing to put the couple up in her lavish digs. Jane is a successful record producer whose latest charge -- both in the studio and in her bedroom -- is Ian (Alessandro Nivola), a brazen, libidinous twentysomething Brit-rocker. As Sam and Alex settle in at Jane's, they gradually lose their straight-and-narrow approach to life and begin to experiment. Alex takes to Ian and Jane, while Sam is wooed by co-worker Sara (Natascha McElhone). Laurel Canyon features a score by Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren; the music for Ian's band was provided by Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous and indie-rockers Folk Implosion. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Frances McDormand - Jane
Christian Bale - Sam
Kate Beckinsale - Alex
Natascha McElhone - Sara
Alessandro Nivola - Ian
Lou Barlow

2003	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	Frances McDormand
2003	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	Alessandro Nivola

Laurel Canyon is neither a great movie, nor a spectacular disc, but both still have enough going for them to recommend. The image, framed at 1.85:1 and anamorphic, is somewhat plain, but still shows good use of color. Detail is also adequately reproduced, as are skin tones and the darker elements of the screen. The 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack doesn't pack much of a punch, which really isn't a surprise for the small nature of the film, but it is a shame, considering the subject of the music industry. The surrounds aren't really employed, which could have added some depth on this disc. Supplements are fairly slim, for the most part. Though there is a commentary with director Lisa Cholodenko, even she admits that she's rambling on, but fortunately she does cover a lot in the course of the film. A 21-minute featurette is also included. It's not so much a short documentary as a "talking head" interview with Cholodenko again, as she talks even more about her film, intercut with scenes from the film and some location shots. Finally, along with filmographies and two television spots, are theatrical trailers for this film, All the Real Girls, Love Liza, and Talk to Her. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

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