Grand Canyon | Danny Glover, Kevin Kline | Characters You CARE about in a Truly Thought-Provoking...

Grand Canyon | Danny Glover, Kevin Kline | Grand Canyon

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Grand Canyon

	Grand Canyon Danny Glover, Kevin Kline 20th Century Fox, 2001 average customer review:based on 82 reviews view larger image
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This murky rumination on keeping faith in our troubled times was an early sign that writer-director Lawrence Kasdan (Silverado) was losing his once-powerful grasp on the art of storytelling. Set in modern Los Angeles--with all its random violence, venality, ubiquitous police presence, earthquakes, and dreams--the film concerns an unusual intersection of lives and chance occurrences that alter everyone's perspective on destiny. Kasdan, very understandably, is attempting to create an experience for viewers as intuitive as the undefined forces propelling his characters. But from the outside looking in, there isn't enough internal logic in the story to help us connect the dots. Steve Martin has an interesting part as a garish film producer who undergoes a change in priorities after being assaulted on the street. --Tom Keogh

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Characters You CARE about in a Truly Thought-Provoking Drama

I'm not big on dramas, but I AM a fan of Lawrence Kasdan's 1991 film "Grand Canyon."

The film is essentially about the 'grand canyon' that exists between the races and the haves and have-nots in our country. It powerfully starts out with middle-aged husband/lawyer Kevin Kline taking an unwise detour in LA and breaking down on the bad side of town; the situation turns very threatening when a group of thugs harrass him, but he is ultimately saved by Danny Glover, a tow truck driver. Thus begins a relationship that positively impacts both of their lives and the lives of those connected to them.

One powerful subplot involves Kline's love/lust for women (like any red-blooded male). He and his wife (Mary McDonnell) are experiencing the empty nest syndrome; he naturally veers toward an affair at work. There's an early scene wherein the potential "other woman" (Mary-Louise Parker) comes into his office at work and puts her hand on his. It's a simple yet potent scene. Is it wrong for Kline to have feelings for this woman? And, if so, should he risk destroying his marriage by pursuing a more intimate relationship? And, if he does commit adultery, can he still change his mind before it's too late? Will he?

That's just one subplot amongst many. Some reviewers obviously feel there are TOO many stories going on. I suggest they stick to lighter fare, like maybe "RV" (giggle).

Anyway, some themes explored include:

-- Miraculous life-saving encounters/opportunities.
-- White/black relations.
-- The rich/working class/poor "divide"
-- Homelessness.
-- Why do kids join gangs/become hoodlums?
-- The challenges of a 20-year nigh romanceless marriage.
-- The drive to improve one's living standards.
-- Does violence in film escalate violence or is it simply a reflection of society? Does a filmmaker have a moral responsibility to society?
-- Life-changing experiences that aren't so life-changing after all.
-- How many split seconds do you have to make a left turn in downtown traffic?
-- What do you do after miraculously finding/saving an infant?
-- Divine intervention.
-- Matchmaking, blind dates and finding Mr. or Ms. "right."
-- The ripple-effect each person's actions have on others, revealing humanity's significance, which is contrasted by the idea that humanity is inconsequential compared to the Earth & universe's timeless marvels, like the Grand Canyon itself.

The picture obviously bites off a LOT, but it is well able to chew it. It bespeaks of REAL LIFE and doesn't come off contrived at all. Take for example the teenager's driving lesson: He makes a serious mistake and then pulls over. After his father explains a few things he attempts to start the vehicle which is ALREADY running. We've all done that. Another example would be Steve Martin's incredibly beautiful redhead girlfriend Vanessa (Sarah Trigger): She's calm, happy and pleasant one moment but then suddenly starts crying (obviously provoked by a statement or word). A rambling and uncomfortable emotional rant ensues. It's REAL. Another example would be Mary Mcdonnell's reaction when her son asks if she and Kline are getting a divorce. Completely shocked, she asks, "Why would you ask that?! Do we seem like a couple on the verge of divorce?" She KNOWS that her son wouldn't ask such a question unless he sensed there were problems in the marriage on some instinctual level. These are just three MINOR examples off the top of my head, there's numerous more prominent examples throughout the film.

I've heard some complain that there's no humor. Huh? Did we see the same movie? There's actually quite a bit of humor or, at least, amusing and light-hearted moments. (How could there not be with Steve Martin in the cast?). Even though the picture is essentially a serious drama I busted out laughing, snickering ar smiling on quite a few occasions. The film truly delivers in this department. Plus it's realistic humor, not contrived.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Scanning through the reviews you'll note that "Grand Canyon" is a love it or hate it piece. I happen to love it. The acting is, for the most part, great and you really come to care for the characters; you CARE about the outcome of each of the many storylines. One reviewer commented that "Grand Canyon" is a depressing film; he couldn't be more wrong (Did he even finish the picture?). Yes, there are some highly disconcerting story elements, but [minor SPOILER ALERT!] the film wraps up on a very positive note [END ALERT]. Other reviewers ridiculously criticize Steve Martin, who has a beard and plays a filmmaker. These people need to get a life; Martin was perfect for the role.

A couple things I love about "Grand Canyon" is that it respects the intelligence of the viewer; it's not dumbed-down, nor is everything spelled out. Some things you simply have to read inbetween-the-lines, others are left to the imagination. It also provokes you to ponder the numerous issues it addresses for DAYS afterward. Few movies have this effect. In fact, there's so much to "Grand Canyon" that you'll get something new from the picture with each viewing. You could easily watch the film twice a year for the rest of your life and STILL derive new nuggets from its wealth of ideas with each viewing.

Oh, about the New York Times critic that lambasted "Grand Canyon" as the worst movie ever made (yeah right, 1991 was the same year "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was released!): First of all, who cares what some moron at the NY Times says? The very fact that he writes for the NY Times tells you that his artistic judgment shouldn't be taken too seriously. Secondly, his favorite films are likely "Jackass: The Movie" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," what's that tell ya?

Quite a few negative reviewers here at Amazon mentioned this critics insane bashing of the picture. They obviously give WAY, WAY too much creedance to this guy's opinion, proving the power of suggestion: These not-too-smart, mindless, sheepy followers watched the film with this man's ultra-negative criticisms in mind and it naturally compelled them to view the picture with a ridiculous nitpicky, fault-finding attitude. My experience was different: I caught the film on TV about 7 years ago and enjoyed it with a completely untainted, unbiased mindset (I never even heard of the picture before). I liked it so much I eventually bought the DVD circa 2002. I've watched it on average about once a year since that time and have been enlightened to a greater degree (so to speak) with each viewing, not to mention I enjoyed it period (in other words, it's enjoyable simply AS IS without the burdern of looking for some message).

Make no mistake, "Grand Canyon" is a film of the most eminent order -- a masterpiece, in fact.

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Grand Canyon

This is an excellent movie about life. It is a movie that everyone should see. It is a real life scenario of the ups and downs of everyday people. It is a movie that once seen can inspire people to open their eyes and that random acts of kindness can go a long way.

One of My All-time Favorite Movies

I was blown away the first time I saw this film. The Grand Canyon is a metaphor for the alienation between different groups of people (ranging from married couples who have grown apart from one another to racial and socioeconomic divisions in larger society). This movie creates a little magic in the bridge-building possibilities, and sends a message of hope. One subtle note is that in various outdoor scenes in the movie, you will hear birds singing in the background. One of the recurring bird songs is that of the Canyon Wren, a lovely series of cascading trills that is recognizable to anyone familiar with it's song. It is a movie with a timeless spiritual theme about alienation, redemption and loving one another across the chasms that tend to divide us. There are great performances by Danny Glover, Steve Martin, Alfre Woodard, Kevin Kline and Mary McDonnell.

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Thought Provoking Movie

I watched this movie without reading the reviews beforehand. I was interested to see what was written about the movie afterwards, so here I am. I won't go into rehashing the plot of the movie; but would like to touch on one theme I feel is missing in most, if not all, reviews.

What we do in our life affects others; our choices and turn of events within our life has something to do with the contact and interaction of those around us, along with life experiences. Each person on the face of this earth contributes in some way, no matter how slightly, to shaping the lives of those they come in contact with, whether it be insignificantly or very involved.

The Grand Canyon is a wonderful symbol of this theme. We as a society are ever changing and evolving; there is erosion going on within our society (this seems to be obvious to all); however, for as different and separate we see each other, we are all part of something very large and beautiful, and that is what holds us all together.

I recommend this movie to families, especially families with teens. Discussion should follow afterwards about what each feels they got from this movie; and about how important each and every person is... we all matter. We all have the responsibility to understand that what we do, no matter how insignificant we feel the action, affects life and people around us.

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