Advanced screening of Labor Day movie

During today's snowstorm, I headed out to Times Square to see an advance screening with The Moms for Paramount Pictures' Labor Day, starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. It was not what I was expecting!

From the ads and poster it looked like a chick flick, a Nicholas Sparks-like story. However, I also knew that Kate was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal, so I figured there had to be more to it than that and there is. Labor Day is actually an intense coming-of-age story that also talks about depression, divorce, baking, love and murder. Yup, it's quite the mixture. It's also quite suspenseful and I was glued to the unfolding of events and often uncomfortable at the same time. 

Why the name Labor Day? The majority of the film takes place over the space of a Labor Day weekend in 1987 and is told through the eyes of a then 13-year-old boy. The film is based on a book of the same name by Joyce Maynard, which I haven't read yet. 

It reminded me of Scorsese's film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore due to the bond and role reversal between mother and son. I was also annoyed with the Mom's decisions in both films and how they put their son in danger by choosing the wrong men or pursuing their own best interests instead of their child's.

Kate Winslet does a great job as the depressed divorcee, but the real scene stealer is her son played by Gattlin Griffith. Josh Brolin's character meanwhile was too creepy for me and wooden, I wasn't into him. His back-story shown in quick glimpses was interesting though. There are also supporting appearances by Tobey Maguire, Clark Gregg and James Van Der Beek.

Overall, it is an interesting, intelligent and pretty film, but definitely NOT a feel-good chick flick! So, as long as you go into the theaters looking for a passionate suspense you will be rewarded. It definitely makes me want to read the book to learn more details as I can see it being a good read.  

Labor Day the movie hits theaters on January 31.

2 comments

  1. The movie is based on the book "Labor Day" by Joyce Maynard, not "To Die For". That was an earlier book written by Joyce and an earlier movie.

    Here is the "Labor Day" movie on Amazon
    http://www.amazon.com/Labor-Day-Movie-Tie-Novel/dp/0062313630

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  2. @Annon thanks so much! I must have read that wrong on the Amazon tie in page. Just updated my post with the correct info.

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