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Love Liza
2002
Wilson Joel's (Philip Seymour Hoffman) wife Liza has committed suicide, leaving behind a note that he can't bear to read. He tries to go about his usual routine, but when his coworkers start to worry about his erratic behavior, they convince him to take a leave of absence to deal with his loss. Liza's mother (Kathy Bates) .. Read more
| Starring | Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Jack Kehler, Erika Alexander |
|---|---|
| Director | Todd Louiso |
| Genres | Drama |
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Love Liza
Wilson Joel's (Philip Seymour Hoffman) wife Liza has committed suicide, leaving behind a note that he can't bear to read. He tries to go about his usual routine, but when his coworkers start to worry about his erratic behavior, they convince him to take a leave of absence to deal with his loss. Liza's mother (Kathy Bates) offers support to Wilson, but when she finds out that he won't open the note, their relationship turns sour. Wilson's life becomes even more tragic when he begins sniffing gasoline as a means to dull his pain, explaining his gas consumption as the result of his interest in model airplanes.
A film about grief that provides no easy answers, LOVE LIZA showcases an exceptionally strong lead performance by Hoffman. Wilson's misguided grieving process may be difficult viewing for some, especially during moments which come off as absurdly comic (cued by Jim O'Rourke's superb bossa nova-influenced score). But under the direction of first-timer Todd Louiso, this very subtle and deliberately paced work will reward anyone willing to go to the often uncomfortable places it reaches. The strikingly original screenplay by Gordy Hoffman (brother of the film's star) was the winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.
| Starring | Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Jack Kehler, Erika Alexander, Sarah Koskoff, Jimmy Raskin, JD Walsh |
|---|---|
| Director | Todd Louiso |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 26 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 14 Jul 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Director Todd Louiso's feature debut is something of a family affair, with actor Philip Seymour Hoffman excelling in a story that won his brother Gordy the prestigious Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2002 Sundance Festival. As a Middle-American widower coming to terms with his loss, Hoffman courageously conveys the slow erosion of surface calm by inner turmoil, as he succumbs to sniffing petrol fumes to obliterate the guilt and rejection inspired by his wife's unexplained suicide. Some of his misadventures involving a sudden interest in remote-controlled models, invented to cover his petrol addiction, may seem overly eccentric, but the raw emotion of Hoffman's performance — particularly in scenes with Kathy Bates, who plays his wife's mother — is excruciatingly authentic.
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"...The purpose of a movie like this is to inspire thoughts about human nature....There is a kind of attentive concern that Hoffman brings to his characters..."
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Not one to watch if you're depressed.
This is a very moving tale of a husband (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), recently widowed, trying to work his way through the grief, anger and desperation that follows. Where other films may rely on tear jerking, overly sentimental flashbacks and deathbed scenes this is not the case here. We witness his spiral downwards via a newly found addiction to sniffing petrol fumes to ease the pain, keeping his mother-in-law (beautifully played by Kathy Bates) at arm's length and the desperate avoidance of reading his wife’s suicide note.
There are ‘funny’ moments, which in their humour leave you feeling like you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Phillip Seymour Hoffman should win an Oscar for this performance. -
Most recent members' review
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
comic tragedy - less of the comic
This film titles itself 'a comic tragedy' - in my opinion it is tragic, but not partiuclary comic. However, it is a extremely compelling. Philip s-h is good, although i didn't actually feel much sympathy for his character, which considering he is a man grieving the loss of his wife, is surprising. Having said that I'm not sure that empathy is what the film was aiming for. It really is very bleak, do not expect to be uplifted by this tale.
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News and features
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The New Hoffman (PS We Love You)
- 09 Jan 2008
It's a quirk of the movie business - and of the industry's insistence that films of any substance can only be released in the winter Oscar period - that actors increasingly seem to come up with not one but a couple of significant performances within the space of weeks. This year, Cate Blanchett has a shot at Academy Award nominations for Best Actress as Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Supporting Actress for her Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. Tommy Lee Jones also has a double deal, with his grave... Read more
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