Labor Day Movie Blurb by Shale February 1, 2014 This movie is a visual delight. It also has some traditional cinematic moments, such as the backstory coming together with small, repeated flash backs that finally reveal Frank's past (Young Frank played by Tom Lipinski). Oh, and for a romantic drama it requires more suspension of disbelief than an action movie where a million bullets are shot at the hero and not one hits him. The movie starts at the beginning of Labor Day weekend 1987. It is being narrated by Tobey Maguire, the adult Henry played by Gattlin Griffith. Henry is about 12 and lives with his mother Adele (Kate Winslet) who is divorced and shows symptoms of depression and agoraphobia. Henry also mentions his father, Gerald (Clark Gregg - "Agent Phil Coulson") who has a new wife who brot him a new half-sibling and a stepbrother. On one of their rare visits to the local discount stores, in which Henry has to help his mother get the car in the right gear, they are approached by a man who looks menacing and has a blood spot on his white T-shirt. His hand is firmly on the back of Henry's neck to get mama to comply with giving him a ride. (Suspension of disbelief #1 - what do you tell any kid or woman to do in such a situation - scream like hell). But, the movie just started, can't end it now so believe that mom is a mess and does what the man, Frank (Josh Brolin) asks her. To his credit, Frank is very polite with his intimidation and you sense that he is not a dangerous person. (I can believe that - got thru the '70s on judging "vibes"). Tension at the Check Out Line Frank goes home with them, with the intention of resting his leg he injured when jumping out of the hospital window and escaping after he had an appendix operation. The TV news is reporting on his escape and that he was in prison for murder. Frank Holds Adele While Henry Gets Rid of Neighbor Well, he didn't leave that night and the next few scenes are of a very sensual, sort of kinky relationship budding between Frank and Adele. It involves a little Dominance & Bondage of Adele, then some Masochism on Frank as he scrubs and waxes the floor, fixes the car and the house and teaches Henry manly stuff like changing a tire and pitching a baseball. And, this does not even compare to the very sensual family peach pie making where everyone is hands on and in that pie. Srsly, that scene turned me on. That and the thot that Frank was wearing the same T-shirt for two days and I could almost smell his manliness. Making Peach Pie Oh, I digress. Guess it would be inappropriate at this time to slam novelist Joyce Maynard who wrote this very romantic, sensual yet unrealistic material that caught me up more than Twilight. Now, Frank is no longer their abductor but a part of the family, the father figure that Henry was doing without and the husband figure that Adele so eagerly wanted. Adele & Frank Bond But after all these sensual, romantic, good family man scenes we come back to a reality that Frank is an escaped convict wanted for murder. There are some tense, suspenseful scenes that play out as you wonder what will happen next; when will they snag him and what will become of this new family. I did enjoy this movie (once I suspended disbelief that any of it would have occurred past the first act). Somehow seeing two damaged ppl find each other is what stirs me.
