Lake City (2008)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Directors:

Hunter Hill
Perry Moore

Writers:

Hunter Hill (screenplay)
Perry Moore (screenplay)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

When you are on the run, the last place you expect to end up is home.

Plot:

In this searing Southern drama, a mother and son reunite under desperate circumstances years after a family tragedy drove them far apart. |

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Sissy Spacek	...	Maggie
Troy Garity	...	Billy
Rebecca Romijn	...	Jennifer
Dave Matthews	...	Red (as David Matthews)
Drea de Matteo	...	Hope
Colin Ford	...	Clayton
Keith Carradine	...	Roy
Barry Corbin	...	George
Allison Sarofim	...	Beth
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sydney ter Avest	...	Young Jennifer
Heather Bailey	...	Loretta the Bartender
Pete Burris	...	Foreman
Robert Christian	...	AA Member
Jason Davis	...	Tom
Justin Dray	...	Rick
Cheryl Fare	...	Irma
James Green	...	Pool Player
Kenny Hinkle	...	Andy
Jessica Hutson	...	Lucy
Todd A. Langenfeld	...	Plain Clothes Street Cop
Joseph T. Lee	...	AA Member
Alina Phelan	...	Linda
Dexter Romweber	...	Frank
Victoria Van Dorn	...	Young Jennifer look alike
Jack Weber	...	Young Billy
Jeff Wincott	...	Leo
Irene Ziegler	...	Nancy Kaye

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violence.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Richmond, Virginia, USA

Company:

Mark Johnson Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

World Without Tears

Well acted, Slowly Paced

This character driven film will appeal to those who like dramas that focus more on character development than action; although, there are moments of intense action. Sissy Spacek delivers a powerful performance as a mother who has yet to cope with her past. She unexpectedly finds herself reunited with her son who is running away from his troubles and she helps facilitate healing for both of them. I thought the camera-work and lighting played up the natural beauty of the idyllic rural town. The music and some scenes, though, have a made-for-TV (cliched) feel. Rebecca Romijn and Dave Matthews are notable for solid realistic acting. Troy Garity is adequate for the role, but in several scenes he looks like he is doing drama school exercises. I think this may be due more to the first time writer/directors than Garity. They seem conflicted on how to maintain realism vs being sappy. Overall, I think Spacek carries this movie and you develop a genuine bond with the characters.