Living Out Loud
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Movie Reviews of Living Out Loud
Movie Review: A Masterpiece - Live Your Life Out Loud
Summary: 5 Stars
Spectacular. Yes, a superb masterpiece that was completely snubbed at the Oscars. Living Out Loud rose above and beyond all other movies. Richard LaGravenese, screenwriter for Bridges of Madison County and The Fisher King gives a fine directing debut about a lonely upper east side woman who searches for a new life after the man she believed she loved for 20 years leaves, for a younger woman. A unique tale of two stories intertwining from sudden devastating and life altering moments, starring the sensational Holly Hunter as Judith, and Danny Devito, as her building's elevator man, Pat.
The movie is a classic. Holly Hunter always surprises the audience with notably fine characters. She brings Judith to life as a woman searching for the reality that lies within herself. Danny Devito is wonderful as the man who brings substance to the screen. He plays a subtle man, only wanting the best out of life. Though misfortunes and tragedy always seem to strike at the most inconvenient of times. The two come together, shining the screen with passion amongst friends, who are geared toward two different entities in life.
Queen Latifah is simply dazzling and vibrantly amazing with her jazz vocals. The opening sequence with Lush Life scored and set the pace for what would lie ahead in the movie. Becoming friends with Judith, help both of them realize the love of their lives is not just within the souls of another man; the truest meaning is within their own self.
The movie flowed so elegantly, it certainly is more than your usual chick flick. I, being a 28 year old male, and a die hard movie fan, was thrown for a loop once I saw this movie a while back. I felt something deep, a hidden meaning that we all should look into. The movie was so real, unlike a lot of the movies out there that we chase for in a fantasy. I could go on and on about this movie, but I don't want to spoil any bit of it. All I have to say is from the start - with Queen Latifah rendition of Lush Life and all other poignant songs see jazzes herself into; the inner self of Hunter and her fantasy scenes, especially the crack baby thought; to the meeting and friendly journey of Devito and Hunter; the huge club scene, where Hunter lives out another one of her fantasy's; and then the end, the reality of life and the experiences and chances we take doing what we want out of life.
In the end, you hope that Holly Hunter does Live Out Loud, Danny Devito find his passage in life and that Queen Latifah moves from rap to jazz, cause she is just fantastic. I would have thrown Oscars to Hunter for best actress; Devito, best actor and; best supporting actress, Queen Latifah.
Again, this movie is a classic. It should be re-released. Movie-goers never had the chance to experience this movie the way it should be, due to the huge success, and my judgment of a good but not excellent film, As Good As It Gets.
Believe me when I say that you should watch this movie over and over and over again.
Movie Review: One of my Top Ten for 1998
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoy writing about movies that get overlooked at the boxoffice. Living Out Loud is one of them, and it's a total delight. Funny, sad, sophisticated, and original, it may have been doomed by a studio system which is currently obsessed with fare aimed at the teen market. Since 1998 [NOTE: This record was broken in 2001.] marked the best attendance in fifty years, they must be doing something right. Still, I think Hollywood could get an even larger crowd with making [and marketing!] a broader range of fare.Living Out Loud probably may not make a lot of sense for viewers under thirty because the plot revolves around what a person does with themselves after a sixteen-year marriage fails. As the fortyish Judith, Holly Hunter must do exactly this. She must take a hard look at herself, at relationships and at the idea that you just might carve out a fulfilling life on your own.
As Pat, Danny DeVito, in his best performance in a few years, has gone through that crisis and is now dealing with the loss of his daughter. Fiftysomething, he has never found a career that he can stick with. He has a great business idea, but can find no backing. He has a menial job currently.
Pat and Judith make the unlikeliest pair you're ever likely to see. She is worldly, educated and used to the good life. He is the elevator operator in the posh Manhattan building that she lives in.
This is director Richard LaGraverese's first effort, but his pedigree is that of a top screenwriter. His credits include The Horse Whisperers and The Bridges of Madison County. For this film, he wrote a story more focused on the characters than on romance. He slyly set up situations where Judith fantasizes about all sorts of things - suicide, financial ruin, sex, true love, and things she would like to do to her pompous ex-husband.
Bringing more enjoyment is Queen Latifah as the torch singer, Liz. Back when she did Set It Off, I said she could be big in movies if she controlled her wildness. She has. Here she exhibits great poise and belts out some jazzy classics as if she'd never been a star in the hip-hop world.
This picture is full of surprises. Some are delightful, and those that aren't are appropriate. For me, it was a nice chaser to formula big screen fare like You've Got Mail and Six Days, Seven Nights. While entertaining, those kinds of movies take two opposite types who hate each other and force than to live happily ever by applying a thick coating of syrupy sweet cliches.
Even as a child, I never was comfortable with obligatory happy endings. I realize now that I wasn't looking for unhappy endings. I yearned for appropriate ones. Living Out Loud certainly ended just right for me.
Movie Review: Whats not to love about this film?
Summary: 5 Stars
I got one of those blockbuster DVD cards. You know, watch 30 films in 30 days deal for 20 dollars. Except they didn't tell you that you can only rent one film a day. So having to go through as many films as possible to make this worthwhile, this gives me the opportunity to watch films that I have skipped over. Films for one reason or another, I have never given a chance, the ones that you think, hmmm, I don't know if I should give this a chance or not and you skip. So with this new found freedom (and since I really don't rent that much anymore), I decide to check out other people recommendations, films, whose previews I've seen and I thought COULD be interesting, and films I thought would make a nice addition to my growing DVD collection. LIVING OUT LOUD stars Holly Hunter who been sort of devastated by her recent divorce. She has to find out how to live all alone again after about 15 years of marriage, which resulted in no kids. Danny DeVito runs the elevator in the building she lives in. She strikes up a conversation with him one day and finds out he too is suffering from some sort of sadness. She reaches out to him and there is some sort of spark. Hard to describe this film without giving too much away. Holly Hunter is magnificent in this role as well as Danny DeVito. There is a real nice movie moment in this film that not all films have. Movie moments are scenes you take with you that sets that film apart. Scenes such as the whip scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark, or the Singing scene in Magnolia. Sometimes they are scenes that make you cry with laughter (such as hair gel scene in There's Something About Mary), make you cry with sadness (the girl in the red coat from Schindler's List), or scenes that make you take notice that you are watching something incredible (all the characters singing the same song in Magnolia). This film, Living Out Loud has one of those scenes (the dancing scene, you will know what I am talking about when you see it). I really enjoyed this film and I think you will too.Movie Review: Wildly Overlooked and Wildly Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently saw an ad where Richard LaGravanese said that his proudest accomplishment was "Living Out Loud" and rightly so. He is one of Hollywood's most best writers, with a diversity among his projects that's astonishing (I've often been excited to see his name within the writing credits, knowing that whatever film is starting will be a lot more interesting and insightful because of his work). And now a nigh perfect directorial debut! With incredible atmosphere reminiscent of Alan Rudolph's wonderful film Choose Me, Living Out Loud perfectly depicts the life of Judith, a recently divorced, slightly out of control upper East Side doctor's wife, just waiting to break out of the paddock to begin a life refreshed. Holly Hunter is perfectly cast (that "crack baby" scene has already become legend in our household) and DeVito (gratefully) is subdued and acts without winking constantly at the camera. And, as someone who's gay and who knows well the party/dance scene, there has NEVER been a better depiction of the rush that you feel entering a gay dance club a little high -- the rush, the music, the bodies, the lights, the seduction, the heightened sensation that life is indeed worth living. But then, that's what all of Living Out Loud is all about. Very Highest Recommendation.Movie Review: a real gem
Summary: 5 Stars
this is a great movie-- nyc shines in it too and the acting is superb-- holly hunter is a revelation in this touching bright witty charming unpredictABLE love story---devito is at his best and queen latifah should only sing version of lush life is worth the price of admission alone-- but holly and devito take this wonderful material and go to town w it---- a most rewarding movie---if u havent seen it yer in for a surprise----this kind of quality is all too rare---highly recommended !!! truly not to be missed ! and the soundtrack is first class--dig queen latifah really singing !!!!!! too bad all the money is in the junk/nonsense she usually wastes her prodigious talent on-- this girl can sing !!!!!! its truly a sin that she doesnt sing the great american songboook--real songs that have heart and swing !!!! cmon queenie !! grow up already and sing what u were born to sing--drop in at smalls in nyc or uptown at one of the great spots up there in harlem-- --late night-- where the best of nyc's jazz heroes are waiting for u to jam w them !!! meanwhhile y'all- get this great dvd and the soundtrack--classy stuff indeed !!!!