Themes: Innocence Lost, Questioning Sexuality, Love Triangles
Main Cast: Lou Barlow, Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Natascha McElhone, Alessandro Nivola
Release Year: 2002
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Writer/director Lisa Cholodenko follows up her much-acclaimed 1997 debut High Art with this examination of a young couple seduced into a hedonistic, left-coast lifestyle. Taking its title from its central locale, Laurel Canyon focuses on a pair of upper-middle class lovebirds from the East Coast who relocate to Los Angeles. Freshly minted from Harvard, Sam (Christian Bale) and Alex (Kate Beckinsale) are eager to continue their medical studies out West, but they need some lodging while they hunt for a home. Enter Jane (Frances McDormand), Sam's estranged, Age-of-Aquarius mom, who's more than willing to put the couple up in her lavish digs. Jane is a successful record producer whose latest charge -- both in the studio and in her bedroom -- is Ian (Alessandro Nivola), a brazen, libidinous twentysomething Brit-rocker. As Sam and Alex settle in at Jane's, they gradually lose their straight-and-narrow approach to life and begin to experiment. Alex takes to Ian and Jane, while Sam is wooed by co-worker Sara (Natascha McElhone). Laurel Canyon features a score by Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren; the music for Ian's band was provided by Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous and indie-rockers Folk Implosion. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
Review
Lisa Cholodenko's sophomore film Laurel Canyon has a similar premise to her first feature High Art: A beautiful and intelligent good girl is lured into a wild lifestyle by an older, bolder woman. This time the catalyst is Frances McDormand in the juicy role of successful L.A. record producer Jane, convincingly devious with her infectious grin, tight leather pants, and awe-inspiring macho sexuality. It's unfortunate that the movie was not about her; she's frequently reduced to the background so that the predictable story of the uptight, humorless couple can unfold. As studious Alex, Kate Beckinsale is an appropriately bland foil to the obviously appealing McDormand and her immature younger lover, Ian (Alessandro Nivola). In a parallel story line, Christian Bale does his best as the restrained dullard Sam by thwarting the advances of sultry med student Sara (Natascha McElhone). However, his repressed anger about his unconventional childhood seems contrived since McDormand comes off as so interesting. Seen in photographs with Joni Mitchell, telling off uppity corporate label types, and flashing her braless chest to the band -- Jane is a sad, fascinating survivor with conflicts in dire need of exploring, instead of just serving as a representative for a cliché Southern California lifestyle of constant temptations. The musical score also seems to suffer from a lack of examination, despite its relevance to the narrative. Though it delivers an unsatisfying conclusion, Laurel Canyon is watchable for its well-photographed scenes of the gorgeous Bohemian estate and the excellent performance by McDormand. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
In a change of plans, however, Jane is still around, recording an album with her boyfriend Ian (Alessandro Nivola) and his band. The film focuses in some depth on the challenge of trying to create successful pop music, showing work on two tracks (both actually written, and later released, by the band Sparklehorse). Ian's bandmates are played by noted indie rockers, bassist Lou Barlow and guitarist Imaad Wasif.
Jane and Ian are in the midst of a fiery romance, and both producer and band seem more interested in partying than finishing the record.
Jane's presence is a source of consternation for Sam, as he and his mother have a somewhat strained relationship, due to their very different mindsets. Alex, however, is intrigued by the new lifestyle options presented by Jane and Ian; normally hardworking, she begins spending more time with the band and less time working on her dissertation. Meanwhile, Sam finds himself attracted to fellow resident Sara (Natascha McElhone), who is unapologetically interested in him as well. The situation strains Sam and Alex's relationship almost to the point of breaking when Sam discovers Jane, Ian, and Alex in bed, having been on the verge of engaging in a sexual threesome minutes before, however Alex chases Sam down in the street and professes her love for him. The movie ends as Sara tells Sam by telephone she can't control her heart.
Tagline:On the road to the perfect life, Sam & Alex took a little detour.
