Down in the Valley (2005)

Down in The Valley What a great film...very layered and subtle. It is beautifully shot and the four main characters are original and yet painfully familiar in their alienation, anger, and despair. The Cowboy character played by Edward Norton (who is amazing) seems so simple at first but as he is drawn into the family his character and the truth unravels in ways that left me at a stand still near the end of the film. The character played by Rory Culkin, "Twig", says very little throughout the film and yet he conveys a sense of yearning and loneliness almost too painful to bare. But even he undergoes an unexpected transformation by the end of the film. The lead is a beautiful creature on the screen. Her relationship with the Cowboy seemed unlikely at first and then became completely believable, especially in the bathtub scene. This is a film for lovers of independent film and psychological kinds of cinema. There are also several scenes that border on surrealism. This film will leave you thinking and wondering about your life. My vote is 8 out of 10.

Fmovies: Edward Norton's troubled character is really strong, reminding somehow Taxi Driver's De Niro - though not so immense. The story is well-told and generates suspense and melancholy, plus David Morse is in my opinion a very talented actor and Rachel Wood's performance is nothing bad. That's why I reckon this revisionist Western is cryptic and enigmatic at the same time, powerful would say. On the other hand the lead actor is one of the best nowadays and this time, playing the role of a potential psychopath turning into a real psychopath, manages to be extremely believable. The Los Angeles setting as well is very appropriate.

For those favoring character-driven films, this is a must-see. The performances are all top-notch: Norton is excellent as always, and Wood's character Tobe is perhaps the best realization of a teen ever committed to film. Also, Rory Culkin is a revelation--his lost moppet is the sympathetic center of the film, and he imbues it with genuine soul.

Much of the film's success is owed to the director, David Jacobson. Judging from this film, he is a more poetic version of a 1970s Scorsese. That may sound like hyperbole, but his take on the human condition and its longing for connection is graceful, daring, and incisive.

Down in the Valley fmovies. Down in the Valley Wow Edward Norton rocks the screen again playing a cowboy with a very layered and subtle performance. It is beautifully shot and the four main characters are original and yet painfully familiar in their alienation, anger, and despair. The character played by Rory Culkin, "Twig", says very little throughout the film and yet he conveys a sense of yearning and loneliness almost too painful to bare. But even he undergoes an unexpected transformation by the end of the film. The lead is a beautiful creature on the screen. Her relationship with the Cowboy seemed unlikely at first and then became completely believable, especially in the bathtub scene. If you love independent you really will enjoy the artistic quality of this film. There are also several scenes that border on surrealism. This film will leave you thinking and wondering about your life, isn't that what we always would hope for after leaving the movies. My vote is 8 out of 10.

Chances are, you'll end up seeing it anyway. Norton chooses his projects carefully, and they stick around, years later, in DVD. The reason is that they always shake you, if your mind doesn't back out and close itself off to the unexpected. In this case, he's magnetic all the way through, and the storyline is riveting, and fascinatingly audacious. To avoid any spoiler, i'll leave it at that... but you must see it. Evan Rachel Woods is perfect, and the relationship between them two is an ideal chemistry. I can't think of a moment where I stopped caring for the characters and wondering who was right or wrong... It would be a shame if people traded that experience for the comfort of watching M:I 3, and the movie got ignored during its theatrical release. It's a rare, full bodied experience that should be explored.

I thought this movie was fantastic!! I couldn't predict what would happen, and it was like watching a great book where you can't wait to turn the page, without having to get my fingers out of the popcorn. But really I forgot all about the popcorn. The acting was great, the music was captivating and really heightened the emotions. I felt so much for Evan Rachel Wood's character and Rory Culkin. But I also reeaally enjoyed Edward Norton's performance. I'd never heard of this director before, but I really liked how this film moved along and it looked great. And, since I live in Los Angeles, it was fun to see such familiar locations. I really recommend this film for people who like substance, not just action. It's not one for the kids obviously, but if you liked any of the Cohen Brothers movies, or Fight Club, or Garden State, you'll most likely enjoy Down In The Valley. I did!!