'Shoot the Moon'

'Shoot the Moon' (R) (82) ****


Writer: Bo Goldman
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Albert Finney, Diane Keaton, Karen Allen, Peter Weller, Dana Hill, Tracey Gold, Tina Yothers

Alan Parker's "Shoot the Moon" comes from what I think was one of the golden years of cinema where almost all of my top ten list wound up on my best of the decade list. To think that the overrated "Gandhi" would steal away Best Picture at the Academy Awards in one of the greatest crimes in award history. Okay sorry about the rant but "Shoot the Moon" is hands down the best movie ever made about divorce. It contains great scenes of emotion and power that are real and not phony or contrived or laughable. This movie never takes a wrong step from first frame to last. It contains one of Albert Finney's best performances and an equally strong one by Diane Keaton who should have won Best Actress that year (yes even over Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice"). Her portrayal of a betrayed wife dealing with her sorrow, anger and emotions of her children is so real and lived in. Her scene with Peter Weller pre "Robocop" after a dinner as they drink wine, listen to music and kiss is one of the sexiest and most beautiful seduction scenes ever on film. This movie will pull no punches and captures every nuance, pain and emotion that goes through a divorce.

I saw this right at the same time my parents got divorced and it nails it. I cried a lot watching it then and every time I watch it I cry. The movie is quiet and that is such a strength because we can feel the anger and emotion unraveling as we can also hear a pin drop. So when an explosive scene is about to erupt the quiet adds to the suspense. There are also very funny moments and not all is dark because this feels like real life. The movie takes it's time building and telling it's story so we can take in the great performances and characters. The ending was criticized for being too abrupt and shifting in tone like it didn't fit. I think the ending is perfect and like a real divorce there can't really be a satisfactory happy ending. Issues can not be resolved and tied up in a little bow so we feel happy. The ending has a life goes on feel and is powerful for leaving us with doubts of whether anything good can come out of this divorce and it is a powerful, raw scene. Some of the best movies have endings that leave us wanting more and "Shoot the Moon" is one of my 100 favorite movies of all time. It is now on DVD and I urge everyone to check it out.