The United States of Leland (2003)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Matthew Ryan Hoge

Writer (WGA):

Matthew Ryan Hoge (written by)

Release Date:

1 July 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Tagline:

Crime. Confusion. Compassion. They're all just states of mind.

Plot:

"The United States of Leland" tells the story of a young man's experience in a juvenile detention center that touches on the tumultuous changes that befall his family and the community in which he lives.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Murder | Stabbing | Aspiring Writer | Marriage

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Don Cheadle	...	Pearl Madison
Ryan Gosling	...	Leland P. Fitzgerald
Chris Klein	...	Allen Harris
Jena Malone	...	Becky Pollard
Lena Olin	...	Marybeth Fitzgerald
Kevin Spacey	...	Albert T. Fitzgerald
Michelle Williams	...	Julie Pollard
Martin Donovan	...	Harry Pollard
Ann Magnuson	...	Karen Pollard
Kerry Washington	...	Ayesha
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Mrs. Calderon
Matt Malloy	...	Charlie
Wesley Jonathan	...	Bengel
Michael Peña	...	Guillermo
Michael Welch	...	Ryan Pollard

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some drug content.

Runtime:

108 min | Canada:104 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:14 | Iceland:12 | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Australia:M | Canada:14A | USA:R | Argentina:13 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

MDP Worldwide

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Leland is watching the basketball game with the other inmate, the sun is shining through the window, however, the shadows outside are cast in wrong direction.

Quotes:

Leland: I think there are two ways you can see the world. You either see the sadness that's behind everything or you choose to keep it all out.

Movie Connections:

References The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Soundtrack:

The Recluse

Inspiring movie...

Don't let any reviews (critics, IMDb users or mine) influence you seeing this movie. I read only the plot premise and became intrigued. After watching, this movie, in my opinion, is definitely worth seeing. It gives a perspective on life that many have probably not contemplated. Its is not however, as Leland himself says, a movie that "can be wrapped up in a neat package with a bow and everything." Other user reviews on this website claim to have a psychological background and imply that the story is not feasible. Quite obviously they missed the entire point of the movie, which is disappointing. to say the least.

In short, it is a well acted, well directed movie. The story is not a feel good one, but I feel if you don't come away from the movie feeling good, you may just have missed something. To characterize it as "art house" is unfair, in my opinion, but as our society likes labels, this is probably the one that fits. If you find you know everything there is to know about the world... I'd suggest skipping this one. If you feel movies should be a form of escape "from the world"... you won't find it here. But if you do watch it... you just might find something in yourself.