The Shipping News (2001)

EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE
This movie is about redemption. It isn't a stirring tearjerker but it is thought provoking. I've read the book and it differs greatly from the movie, but the movie can stand on its own feet. Kevin Spacey stars as "Quoyle". A lonely, dejected human being who has basically given up on life. When he meets "Petal" (Cate Blanchett) he is quickly drawn into her web. She makes him feel alive and validated. Petal uses him as a meal ticket and someone to provide for her while she whores around. She accidentally gets pregnant by Quoyle and they have a daughter whom they name, "Bunny." As the story progresses, Quoyle and Bunny end up moving to Newfoundland with Quoyle's aunt, "Agnis" (played to perfection by Dame Judi Dench). There they plan to start new lives. They move into the old family home and begin the process of mending the house and their respective broken lives.

Quoyle, Agnis and Quoyle's new friend, Wavey Prowse (played by beautiful Julianne Moore) are all grief stricken in their own way and dealing with painful memories. The two women are each hiding painful secrets. Almost every person in this film is damaged.

Quoyle learns the hidden secrets of his family's past, and as the story progresses, the secrets of Agnis and Wavey.

This is a movie about emotionally scarred individuals revealing their hurts and rendering themselves vulnerable. It is a movie about people learning to accept their losses and becoming willing to move on. It is a movie about redemption and second chances. It's premise is never preachy or weepy, but stoic. Set against the bitter winter landscape of Newfoundland, the imagery is a projection of those bitter and desolate souls the story revolves around.

This is a good movie to watch when you're feeling pensive or reflective.

A decent film, but be wary if you've read the book
I heartily second Joanna Daneman's description: "a good solid attempt to film an unfilmable book." If you haven't read the book, you may find it quite enjoyable. But no film can express the rich language and unique flow of the original. In addition, the plot has been shuffled a bit and many of the less-dramatic parts removed. Most of the characters look and sound right, however (though Spacey isn't fat like Quoyle) and the setting--splendid island scenery, surreal flashbacks and appropriately-placed dreariness--is well-represented.

The bottom line? You might like it, whether or not you've read the book. But if you have, be cautious.

A decent film, but be wary if you've read the book
I heartily second Joanna Daneman's description: "a good solid attempt to film an unfilmable book." If you haven't read the book, you may find it quite enjoyable. But no film can express the rich language and unique flow of the original. In addition, the plot has been shuffled a bit and many of the less-dramatic parts removed. Most of the characters look and sound right, however (though Spacey isn't fat like Quoyle) and the setting--splendid island scenery, surreal flashbacks and appropriately-placed dreariness--is well-represented.

The bottom line? You might like it, whether or not you've read the book. But if you have, be cautious.