Winter Passing (2006)

Disappointment for a huge fan!

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Starts off dull, and ends that way, too. In between, not a heckuva lot happens either.Girl has been estranged from her writer father for years, and sees a chance to make money off him, pays him an awkward visit, which last 2/3 of movie, and then, well, like I said, not much happens.Actually, movie had some funny parts, NEITHER involving the main characters, but involved her father's living arrangements. Now THAT was rather humorous, I found.Lead character girl, while not a sleazebag, was very unlikable, and not the type of person you'd root for, nor even care if her part ended twenty minutes after movie started.Waste of time, and would NEVER see it again.

Adam Rapp brings us a touching little movie about an emotionally detached theatre actress/ bartender who seeks relief in alcohol, drugs and casual sex, her alcoholic father and his caretakers that include his former student and a Christian electric guitar player. At first I was under the impression that this would be a quirky black comedy (which was the impression the poster gave). Rapp (who is both writer and director) makes the film with sophistication and finesse. Stories of lost people attempting to rebuild their broken lives have been portrayed many times but there is a distinct style in Rapp's presentation and the way he brings it all together in this film wholely involving the viewer into the lives of these characters all of whom are searching for something. The cinematography, art direction, editing and score work together beautifully never distracting from the main plot or the character. There is a poetic flow to 'Winter Passing', not the whimsical kind but more of the quiet whispering kind.Zooey Deschanel is easily among the finest actresses of her generation. This film should further prove what a versatile and gifted actress she is to those who have stated that her acting range is only limited to playing quirky, free-spirited and adventurous characters. She is superbly restrained and plays her part with full conviction. Ed Harris is equally stupendous as the tormented has-been writer who desperate tries to find grace in his work. Amelia Warner is lovely as the caring ex-student who has found a way to leave her troubled past behind and is content with the current comfort and peace. Will Ferrell is at his best yet again in a subtle but funny role of the shy, polite and courageous Corbit.'Winter Passing' is an underrated gem. It isn't always easy to watch but in the end one feels like they have watched something worthy. I certainly wouldn't mind revisiting sometime in the future.

"Winter Passing" (2005): This is a quiet, subtle film full of interesting people and complex emotions buried within private lives. Slowly the story weaves together, as the main characters find themselves connecting to others. Starring Ed Harris (great), Zoeey Dechanel (a growing favorite of mine), Will Ferrell (in an understated, odd role), Amelia Warner (as the "glue" of the group), and Amy Madigan (as the "catalyst"). This is my first viewing. Upon further viewings, it could end up in my top category. "Winter Passing" belongs somewhere in a grouping that would also include "Avalon" and "Unstrung Heroes". It is gentle, sad, quiet, painful, quirky, almost funny for split seconds, mysterious, loving, fragile, and forgiving.

The film does have a plot, but it is pretty much irrelevant. In short, a young actress (Zooey Deschanel), daughter of two tortured but successful authors, returns to her Michigan home some months after her mother's suicide in search of love letters written by her parents during her courtship and willed to her by her mother, with an eye to selling them for publication. Upon arrival, she discovers her father (Ed Harris), deep in alcoholic despondency, living in the garage while his house is occupied by two young people. One is Corbit (Will Ferrell)(yes, you read that right), a dysfunctional former Christian rocker who serves as something of a bodyguard for Harris. The other is Shelly (Amelia Warner), a former student of Harris' who lives in the house and helps care for him.The characters are subtle, many faceted, beautifully written and exquisitely played. The arc of the film is one of growing understanding and tolerance and the onion of their pain is gracefully peeled.The surprise in this film is Ferrell. He gives a quiet, controlled, thoroughly honest performance. As we have come to expect from him in his madcap comedies, he commits fully to this character and not a moment rings false.This gentle film is more than worth an investment of 98 minutes.