Moonlight Mile is a film that is likely to be talked about for the fantastic performances by it's three leading stars, Susan Sarandon, Dustin Hoffman, and Jake Glynnehal. It may not be remembered for it's thrills and excitement, and that would be ok because it clearly is not that type of movie. This is another film that examines the human spirit in the face of death in the tradition of such films as Ordinary People and In the Bedroom.
This movie opens up with Joe Nast waking up in a room that seems like is his but it is not. It is that of his fiancé' but we find that she is dead and he is on the way to her funeral with her parents, played by Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman. What makes this movie different than other movies is that it shows a different viewpoint of the people dealing with the loss. Yes there's sadness but there is also the roll of the eyes at the things people say and do after a funeral. There is also some humor in this film, especially when JoJo Floss (Sarandon) the mom of the deceased child is throwing all the self-help books she got as gifts into the fireplace. The film also shows us the complications of being able to love again, and all the guilt and confusion one must go through.
The performance by Jake Glynnehal as Joe is one that should definitely put him on the map as one of today's fine young actors. He displays talent in this role and will not likely be ignored for other big roles in the future. Both Sarandon and Hoffman are excellent in their roles as parents trying to find their way to grieve and the road back to normalcy.
A stirring and intense film, it is not for everyone as it has a lot of dialogue and the storyline tends to get a little complicated. Despite this, it is an uplifting and inspirational film, one of the first of the 2002 Oscar contenders for certain.
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