Anywhere But Here (1999) by John Sylva Rating: A
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Director Wayne Wang (Smoke) and two time Academy Award winning writer Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) bring us Anywhere But Here, a touching, powerful film based on the hit novel of the same title by Mona Simpson. Anywhere But Here tells a tale often told, but the actors and masterful screenplay make this one of the year's best films that succeeds at being moving, without being overly sappy.
Anywhere But Here tells the story of Adele (Susan Sarandon) and Ann August (Natalie Portman), mother and daughter (respectively), and their journey to find freedom, independence, and success. The duo lives a simple life in Bay City, Wisconsin, a quiet, ordinary town in which the majority of residents don't escape from once growing old. Fourteen year old Ann is an intelligent, bright girl who spends her leisure time with her cousin and best friend, the always happy Benny (Shawn Hatosy), who understands and loves Ann with all his heart. When Ann learns her mom as decided to pick up and run off to Beverly Hills, California with her, she is instantly crushed, as leaving Benny and her hometown is not an easy transition to make. The two travel across the country in their gold colored Mercedes, having their share of laughs, but also their share of fights. Ann feels constantly unhappy and frustrated during their trip, as she always has around her mother. Her mother is a woman who always wears a gleaming smile, even when her daughter screams, "I hate you!" Adele is rarely hurt by Ann's cruel words, as she knows it is just part of Ann feeling frustrated, and she's simply releasing cruel words, although they are only somewhat true, to release that anger. The two can get along better then any pair of best friends at times, giggling and dancing around with joy, but when Adele starts bringing in issues of where she wants and expects Ann to go in life, the smiles fade, and the tears start running.
The pair arrive in Beverly Hills, and from the get go they realize it's not all that they were hoping for. It's hard enough for them to find a place to live, let alone to make a living there. As hard as it is, Ann starts a new life there, making new friends and taking on a new lifestyle. Adele gets a job working at a large school, which pays their bills. They have made it this far, but how much longer can Ann take Adele's manipulating ways?
The relationship between Adele and Ann is composed of strong sincerity and realism. The mother/daughter relationship is one of the most real, honest situations in a movie this year. The dialogue, the fights, the troubles, everything about the pair is so true to life, it's scary. I get a kick out of one of the most real situations in the movie, in which Adele and Ann are cruising down a long, calm road, listening to the snappy music of The Beach Boys on the radio. Adele is tapping and singing happily, and doesn't seem to have a care in the world. Ann is slumped in the corner of her seat looking truly unhappy. Ann turns the radio off and quotes, "I hate the Beach Boys." Adele turns the radio back on, and simply replies, "No one hates the Beach Boys." For all us children in the world, this happens day in and day out to us. It is wonderful to see such realistic phrases used in a movie about bonding, as through watching Anywhere But Here, some of that frustration felt within a child can be released, and that child can find humor in situations that they are presented with daily, because it is on screen, all part of a fictional story. Although Anywhere But Here is fiction, much of the film feels like reality, in that it captures the parent/child relationship perfectly, and lets the viewer relate every step of the way. I often so myself in Ann, seeing her pain in the exact situations I have been in. It's astonishing how Alvin Sargent captures such reality in his script.
Anywhere But Here tells it like it is, and doesn't make an exaggerated, over the top metaphor about growing up. Unlike most teen movies to be released this year, Anywhere But Here contains lines that teens and parents actually say, and puts the characters in situations that people are really in- compared to the teeny bopper movies, where all kids have it perfect, and parents don't care what their children take part in.
The relationships between all of the characters are shockingly real, as when Benny and Ann are together, you'll think that Wayne Wang was videotaping real teens, catching them in their most natural state. Unlike how friends are portrayed in most movies, Benny and Ann share a connection that you can feel just by seeing them together, as the actors bring their teen characters to life extraordinarily.
Sarandon is astonishing as her eccentric, charismatic character, as she convinces you of her deep, impassioned love for her daughter, and lets you feel the fact that Adele may seem over the top, or a little nuts at times, but she just doesn't want to let go. Sarandon gives her second Oscar worthy performance in two years, (the other being her role as a cancer diagnosed mother in 1998's Stepmom) but she has never shined in a role like she does in Anywhere But Here. Susan succeeds at being funny without being ridiculous, as she easily resembles any parent of a child out there today. At times, you feel sympathy for Adele, as you understand her cautions of letting go, but at times, you downright despise her, as she is unnecessarily rude to Ann on numerous occasions, but in the end, it's easy to understand: It's all out of love.
Although Sarandon is captivating, she is upstaged by Natalie Portman, who at a ripe 18 years old, is one of my favorite actresses. Most recently seen in last summer's Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, Portman gives an Oscar worthy performance that I doubt any other actress her age, or even two times her age at that, could master as well as she does. Portman's character couldn't be any more realistic, as the 14 year old has frequent mood swings, feels consistent conflicted feelings, and is frustrated with her life and where it is going. Portman lets the viewer feel every possible emotion with her character, making you relate, sympathize, and understand her character through every moment. Natalie gets her first, largely publicized, leading role here, and proves that she is going to become a screen legend in the years to come.
Anywhere But Here features an all star, powerful soundtrack used effectively in the film. The right song at the right moment makes you feel more emotion then the actors do themselves, and this film uses this tactic to the fullest. In an especially powerful scene, Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" is used, letting you feel unspeakable sadness for the characters.
All in all, Anywhere But Here is remarkably flawless. You'll laugh with the characters, you'll cry with them, and you'll change with them. Anywhere But Here is a movie of unspeakable realism and power, and should be cherished by anyone that has ever gone through the troubles of being a kid. Anywhere But Here hardly covers any new material, but because the characters and the relationships between them are so complex and genuine, the film engrosses you from start to finish. The message behind the film is an important and real one, and told in a way that makes Anywhere But Here for boys and girls, of all ages. Wayne Wang, Alvin Sargent, and everyone else involved with the film should be proud of themselves, and realize what an achievement they have accomplished: crafting one of the year's most memorable, finest, real films.
The Bottom Line: Like Ann says about her mother... "There is some romance, some power about my mother," there is some romance, some power about this movie that gives it a special place within me.
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