Niagara, Niagara (1997)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Bob Gosse

Writer:

Matthew Weiss (written by)

Release Date:

20 March 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Love can't be controlled.

Plot:

An outsider and a young woman plagued by Tourette's syndrome meet and together journey to Canada.

Plot Keywords:

Canada | Pharmacy | Road | Tourette's Syndrome | Police

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Robin Tunney	...	Marcy
Henry Thomas	...	Seth
Michael Parks	...	Walter
Stephen Lang	...	Claude
John MacKay	...	Seth's Father
Alan Pottinger	...	Sanitation Lot Cop
Sol Frieder	...	Pawnbroker
Candy Clark	...	Sally
Andrew L. Phillips	...	Sally's Policeman
Jeffrey Howard	...	Liquor Store Clerk
Shawn Hatosy	...	Lead High School Punk
Adam Lauricella	...	High School Punk #2 (as Adam T. Lauricella)
Jaime Lynn O'Hara	...	High School Girl
John Ventimiglia	...	Doug
Clea DuVall	...	Convenience Store Clerk

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality, substance abuse and strong language.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R | UK:18 (video rating) (2000)

Filming Locations:

Highland, New York, USA

Company:

Shooting Gallery

Trivia:

Both Kate Winslet and 'Juliette Lewis' turned down the role of Marcy.

Goofs:

Continuity: The second time Seth goes into the store he is wearing black pants but by the time he is in the middle of the store he is wearing khaki pants.

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars (1977)

Soundtrack:

Bring Your Sorrow Over Here

Why can't there be more films like this?

Perhaps it is the fact that I have seen too many "commercial" movies released in conjunction with a line of action figures, fast food merchandise, and pop music laden soundtracks that I was so drawn into Niagra Niagra. Furthermore, it could be the aforementioned that leaves me wishing that I could see Niagra Niagra again. While other films leave you in awe of Dolby/THX theatrical sound, or CGI special effects, Niagra Niagra leaves you with something the commercial releases have lacked for years...a thought. How rare is it that we can see a well acted, directed, and written film that leaves us asking questions about ourselves and not heading out to a fast food chain for the toys of the week?

Niagra Niagra follows two castaways from society that take to the road together in hopes of finding their way to Niagra Falls, Ontario. Along the way we are treated to snippets, excerpts as it were of our own behaviour, or rather lack thereof. As a young woman tormented by Tourettes syndrome finds no sympathy save that of her fellow castaway. Together they find more than a road to take them to Canada, and find a way to tell us how understanding and empathy appear to be on the endangered species list. Winding along ribbons of asphalt together, we find a lot of ourselves and others in these castaways and ultimately a great reflection of that endangerment of human understanding driven home through a pair of incredible performances that are not to be missed.

Niagra Niagra is an incredible film which is a MUST see, and don't worry about being "sold" the latest line of merchandise. All you need to do is enjoy the film as it is, the enjoyment and message will come naturally.