Redeemed by Leelee Sobieski

bert-58

I have never cared much for Albert Brooks,  but he is okay in this film. The plot starts strong, with goth girl J(Leelee Sobieski) in school, at home, looking for a job.  It peters out somewhat as it goes along with        


                         SPOILER!!!









a May December romance, a fatal disease and a romance between the haberdasher's (previously unknown) son and J.  In fact the latter was so saccharine it made me angry.   Nevertheless,  the film is worth watching because Leelee Sobieski is simply hypnotic.  The subtle changes that she goes through from beginning to end are beautifully underplayed.  The actress was obviously very comfortable with the part because, as they say,  the viewer cannot see her acting.  Usually chick flicks such as this sent me out the door quickly.  But Sobieski's performance was so captivating that I could not take my eyes off the screen.   I understand that Ms. Sobieski is still a teenager or perhaps in her early 20's.  She has a real future ahead of her.

score /10

bert-58 27 January 2004

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0661235/