Living Out Loud

Living Out Loud

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Movie Reviews of Living Out Loud

Movie Review: A Feast for Sleeper Lovers
Summary: 5 Stars

The reason this movie is so good is because not only of its strong acting talent, but the writing, direction and music of the film were all superb also. I'll admit I was a bit timid in buying this DVD, but I figured it was worth a shot and I was right. This is a movie that most would look at and say, "Ya know--it looks good but I don't want to watch it." Believe me--this movie has a lot to say if you let it unfold.

The film starts as we see Judith (Hunter) ending a 20-year relationship with her husband in a restaurant. We see from the beginning that this character is flawed, that she doesn't really have a life--she eats in, sings to herself in her apartment, goes out alone, etc. Until she meets Pat (DeVito), a man who's life is in real shambles. He too has been recently divorced plus on top of that his daughter has just died. The circumstances that these two emotionally-disconnected people come together is astounding, which is also why they become such great friends.

Judith begins to feel better about herself after a passionaite kiss from a stranger opens her eyes to all she's been missing. She's planning on new things, to become a physician, and above all move on from her unhappy life. The reason this movie works so well is due to the uncanny chemistry between the three main characters and the deft direction of Richard LaGravenese. (Read the next paragraph only if you've seen this movie)

I think the reason some people don't like the ending is because they don't get it. Not to say I'm perfect, but if you listen to the commentary the directer himself explains it. In the beginning we see Judith alone in her apartment mouthing the words to a song. In the end, she's made good of all the things bad in her life, or in other words, she's able to "Live out loud," and sing in the neighborhood aloud to "Hot Fun in the Summertime." I like that she doesn't end up with DeVito in the end because you think from the start that they are, and for once in a somewhat romantic film the two main characters don't end up together. It makes the film more realistic and that is one of the best aspects of the movie.

Although films like American Beauty made a better, more clear point on it's subject matter, this film is a less serious and in a lot of ways less heftier account of modern lives that go from miserable to good. It's good to see a film like this, and it isn't any threat if you have the money to buy it.

This studio usually makes great discs, and did a great job with this movie, also, even though not many people are ever going to see this movie. The commentary track is good, but not great, but let's you in on scenes you don't really get--they become more clearly understood. The deleted scenes are okay--I don't know why they didn't leave in ALL of them because they make more sense with them in (and it's not like the movie is three hours long or anything--at an hour and forty minutes I don't know why they were cut). The aspect ratio of the disc is a generally pleasing 2.35:1 transfer.

Summary of Living Out Loud