Things Behind the Sun (2001)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Great Film overall

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

This is perhaps Alison Anders' greatest work, even surpassing "Gas, Food, and Lodging," because she brought her whole soul into this emotionally charged film. The beautiful Kim Dickens ("Deadwood") is a singer haunted by the past she can't remember. Subconsciously she marks the exact anniversary of the day was gang-raped by a bunch of a--holes, and through the course of the film is unable to love the man who loves her the most, picking up strangers -- willingly -- and asking them to place her in a rape position to punish her. She continues to hide under alcohol and self-destruction until one day a reporter from a rock magazine assigns himself to cover a story on her latest song -- reflecting the rape --knowing the truth about her past because he saw and participated in the act itself.One of the most honest descriptions of rape and its aftermath ever, where both victim, boyfriend, and even one of the rapists receive some sort of redemption from their hell. Complex, and emotionally charged this should be required viewing for everyone, but especially those who need to understand and help others to heal. (Rape victim info is included on the DVD section.) Excellent performances from the cast all-around make this truly realistic and heartfelt.Alison, God bless you, and we hope your demons, while they may never truly vanish, have at least been left at that house.

I think every man should see this movie! NO LIE, it changed me profoundly forever. It's a fact, men fantasize about rape. Well if you watch this captivating and shocking film, and still wonder about actualizing your fantasy you should seek professional help. It's okay to fantasize, but given the numbers on rape, this movie might actually prevent some. I can't say strongly enough how much I recommend it. There is no real shame in enjoying the sex scenes, their is shame in considering or ever having raped a woman. I guess an immoral person, probably wouldn't get the message either way, but for the moral, you understand why it's such a hideous crime. I've dated past victims, and they are forever changed, FOREVER! Pardon my rant...

I tend to prefer character-driven movies with strong plots. In that sense, this movie score highly. Kim Dickens turns in a passionate performance as a self-destructive women trying to reclaim her soul after it was taken from her in an adolescent rape. Don Cheadle turns in yet another great performance. Wow, what a great actor. Eric Stoltz has little screen time, but he does a lot with it. Again, what a great actor.This movie suffers a little on the technical front. There are scenes that could have been edited out because they failed to enhance the story line. At times the direction seemed to be a lackluster. Neither of these hurt the movie that much, but it does not quite reach its full potential. It is still worth seeing. I enjoyed it.

I've seen. Slow and painful this story gets into the psyche of the victims unlike most other stories treating the same subject. The stories and writing style of Joyce Carol Oates came to mind through the intentionally slow, methodical pacing revealing each layer of the painful retelling of the victims' stories.Arquette gives a brilliant performance as does Cheedle and Stoltz. Gabrielle Mann comes off a little too 'waah, waah, Mr. Sensitive author' but there's an honesty that rings true in his performance and works nicely with the others.I think the only way this movie could improve is to perform it on stage. It has an intimacy that could resonate much more effectively then on the screen. All in all, I highly recommend it.