| Show Sleepwalking deals with issues draws audiences in By Stacie Peart Online Arts Editor While the film begins at a snails s pace Sleepwalking eventually wakes up to toa toa toa a practical look at life with uncomfortable p pauses uses and a variety of troubled characters It is not a style Hollywood-style romanticized talc tale of family filled with broken people This film subtly looks straight in the face of social problems that seemly plague more and more families What should draw viewers to this particular fi film m is the painstakingly candid performance of Nick Stahl His portrayal of the remarkably flawed James Reedy is often uncomfortable as he cowards to authority Reedy's faults could have become bothersome yet Stahl's depiction makes the character endearing and has the audience rooting for him to stand standup standup standup up to those he encounters Stahl is known more for his odd characters HBO's Carnival rather than lead roles Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines but this breakout performance should place him higher in inthe inthe th the ranks of the Hollywood elite Centered on th the Reedy family the film begins with Theron The actress actress' charisma in Sleepwalking immediately absorbs the audience into the messed up world of Joleen Reedy and her daughter Tara The two start out in a police station with Joleen getting an earful from a police detective played by Mathew St. St Patrick about proper parenting The two end up at the station for questioning due to the arrest of Joleen's latest boyfriend and upon leaving have to find a new residence Joleen calls on her loyal younger brother James to come to their aid As for the rest of the small ensemble they also created memorable characters with distinct personalities Robb plays year old Tara who is constantly disoriented because of her mothers mother's gypsy lifestyle One unique moment in the film comes from Tara discovering her effect on boys while lounging at a motel pool Known for his character on Six Feet Under Matthew St. St Patrick plays a unique police detective His understated performance allows for the character to seem realistic and honest as ashe ashe ashe he deals with the problems caused by the Reedy family Woody Harrelson also makes an appearance as James' James worker co-worker and friend who sticks up for him but also tries to pull him out of his comfort zone I Dennis Hopper is disturbing and unyielding as the antagonist of the film His frightening demeanor combined with his clever manipulation of James becomes a realistic and true barrier for the James and Tara to overcome As the performances performances' drive the film chilly cinematography brings the viewer into a cold harsh backdrop for Sleepwalking The muted colors and the barren landscapes also play well with the broken Reedy family and their struggle to tomake tomake tomake make ends meet The film is a heartbreaking story with a to hard-to- guess ending that deals 1 t y rr e ura v. o wr r ia with real issues And the films film's biggest draw is the exceptional acting delivered by the cast Sleepwalking is rated R. R |
