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In a year where The Silence of the Lambs won Best Picture at the Oscars and JFK, among others, was nominated for the award, what happened to the most important film of that year, Grand Canyon? Even when this gem of a critic, Gene Siskel, was living and around, he praised it as the Best Film of the Year, by far. What Happened? Could the Academy have something against Lawrence Kasdan? Surely not. They remembered him (or at least Geena Davis) for The Accidental Tourist and all praise The Big Chill for the 80's, so what happened? I believe this was an era when the Academy was a little bit less edgy and only picked the "popular" choices for movies to be nominated. Not that Grand Canyon is extremely edgy, it does leave you with a sense (during and afterwards) of tension as to what's going to happen next, and does study (and thank goodness in a non-preachy way) the current social situations of that day, including homelessness, forgotten babies, intermarital affairs, menopause, car break-ins and gang wars, to name a few. It also has a few of the best acting jobs ever of some high-end actors such as Steve Martin (not being funny either, but serious acting), Mary McDonnell in a better than Dances With Wolves performance, Kevin Kline in another serious moment and the great Danny Glover as the "black man" who gets taken in by Kevin Kline after "saving his life." Yes, forgot to mention they're in LA so they certainly bring in racial tensions and, again, in a way we can all enjoy, non-preachy, non-subjective. Think of the wonderful time we're about to begin with Obama probably becoming President of the USA and, unfortunately, think of how the press is trying to place race into the race and how it, to many, shouldn't be placed in there, especially if Obama is doing all he can to be the President for EVERYONE. Race relations and other social issues are still being examined and discussed currently and this gem of a movie, Grand Canyon, takes it to you in a direct way that is absorbing, scary, tense, and EXTREMELY thought provoking. Get ready to have coffee and discuss this movie for some time afterwards with your friends. Oh yeah, think of the title and then think of the possible ending. It couldn't end any other way. This movie just really makes you think of how much we all argue and complain and fight against one another, and how something like the Grand Canyon makes us realize that, maybe, what we do, doesn't really amount to all that much!!! SO DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WORRYING!!! LIVE LIFE!!!Read full review
The sum of the movie's parts is better than the overall scheme. It is classic 90s genre movie making -- about nothing. Call it dead space between the end of the cold war and 9/11. People sit around and talk about perceived problems and why the world is that way. The overall message - we don't really matter that much, so who cares is a glib and irresponsible message. There are excellent parts to movie though: Danny Glover's speech to the young gang member, and Steve Martin's explanation on the meaning of life and how to find its answers, make this movie worth watching.
One of my favorite movies! So happy to have my own to add to my library.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Hey, you can never go wrong with MR. STEVE MARTIN... ;) The other casting (very good acting all around) and story line makes this movie an underrated gem! Highly recommended!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Such a great cast, great dialogue, great storyline... The same guys who did Silverado did this movie... And I love both of them!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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