The Shipping News (2001)
If you’ve heard of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Shipping News, you probably want to avoid the movie adaptation like the plague. It sounds like the worst story ever, riddled with disturbing themes and terrible people who need massive therapy instead of a novel celebrating them. I hadn’t heard of the book, but instead watched this movie during girls’ night when I was fresh from a breakup. I know; it makes no sense. But if it’s any consolation, I’m no longer friends with the girl who suggested it.
The reward for sitting through this movie is Kevin Spacey’s performance. He shows a tenderness he doesn’t usually get to show in his movies, and he’s incredibly endearing. Married to a substance-abusing, chronically unfaithful Cate Blanchett, Kevin wants nothing more than to have a happy home with his wife and child. Cate is incredibly unstable, and she leaves him for her latest boyfriend and actually tries to sell their child for quick cash. See what I mean? Anyone who actually knows the plot of this movie probably won’t want to watch it.
To recuperate and start a fresh life, Kevin travels with his aunt, Judi Dench, to a remote fishing village in Newfoundland. I’m skipping over some upsetting details, but if you do decide to rent this, be prepared for more drama. While there, he learns to be a single father, embark on a new career, and make friends with people who don’t know his history. Costarring Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Scott Glenn, and Rhys Ifans, this very heavy drama is well acted – but why would anyone actually want to sit through it to find out? Watch at your own risk, but Kevin Spacey fans will definitely want to check it out.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and upsetting scenes involving a child, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Cate Blanchett movies here!
More Judi Dench movies here!
The reward for sitting through this movie is Kevin Spacey’s performance. He shows a tenderness he doesn’t usually get to show in his movies, and he’s incredibly endearing. Married to a substance-abusing, chronically unfaithful Cate Blanchett, Kevin wants nothing more than to have a happy home with his wife and child. Cate is incredibly unstable, and she leaves him for her latest boyfriend and actually tries to sell their child for quick cash. See what I mean? Anyone who actually knows the plot of this movie probably won’t want to watch it.
To recuperate and start a fresh life, Kevin travels with his aunt, Judi Dench, to a remote fishing village in Newfoundland. I’m skipping over some upsetting details, but if you do decide to rent this, be prepared for more drama. While there, he learns to be a single father, embark on a new career, and make friends with people who don’t know his history. Costarring Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Scott Glenn, and Rhys Ifans, this very heavy drama is well acted – but why would anyone actually want to sit through it to find out? Watch at your own risk, but Kevin Spacey fans will definitely want to check it out.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and upsetting scenes involving a child, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Cate Blanchett movies here!
More Judi Dench movies here!