Big Bad Love (2001)
Vietnam veteran Leon Barlow is struggling as a writer, and his personal life isn't much better. His unsympathetic ex-wife Marilyn doesn't approve of his visits with his two children, and he has problems with alcohol. Yet even when Leon manages to catch up on alimony and child support payments, things in his life seem to decline further, until a sudden tragedy catches him off guard.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
As Good As It Gets
It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
I loved the "writer genre". "Take the Highway Son." I found this film sad and depressing and LOVED it anyway. The character of Leon Barlow is extremely well drawn out. His deep love for his ex-wife and writing always seemed out of reach, yet, in the end there is hope as he finally finds success in getting published and then -- who knows! The boxcar HAD to roll off at the end! It was a metaphor for the load of false "JUNK" that had blocked his success. He had worked the Monmouth monument of boxed up pain over and over trying to make it "normal." Eventually the time came for it to move on and roll away. At last he blooms! Joni Grawe, Pawnee, IL
Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap. Truly refreshing storytelling. Maybe not for everyone, but not intended to be. Extraordinary! Powerful frayed-wire motivations propel this film through starkly beautiful, accessible scenes. A story of rejection and redemption, family and friendship. Director Arliss Howard stars as a man tripped up by life but struggling to get back on his feet, re-assimilate and rise above his troubles. Howard's wife, Debra Winger also stars.
Incredible. I need to see it again. Mississippi, Faulkner, searching for redemption, crying out "corpsman" in his sleep ... there is a very lot packed into this film. Arliss Howard is perfect for this role. Did the boxcar have to roll off at the end?
Well at least in that respect the film is authentic. An all around not terrible film, with vignettes into lyrical prose and surreal flashes into Barlow's imagination. The film is also accompanied by a pleasing soundtrack.