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Julia, 2008

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate Del Castillo, Aidan Gould

Directed by: Erick Zonca

Written by: Aude Py

Language: English, Spanish

Country: France, USA, Mexico, Belgium

Runtime: 144 min

MPAA Rating: R

Rating:7.0

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Profile of Julia

Julia can be described as gloomy, disturbing, and suspenseful. The plot revolves around alcohol abuse, a losing-it hero, and unlikely criminals. The main genres are drama and crime. In terms of style, Julia involves twists and turns. In approach, it is serious and realistic. It is located in England. Julia takes place in contemporary times.

Summary of Julia

Tilda Swinton stars in this intense drama as Julia, an aging alcoholic who spends her nights drinking in the company of strangers, and her days making excuses for herself. Beginning in a sleek Los Angeles nightclub, the film shows Julia as she would like to be seen, beautiful and intoxicating. But by morning when Julia wakes once again in bed with a man she doesn’t know, the flattering light of evening has worn off, exposing the harsh reality underneath. Julia’s life knows no real friendships and no real meaning. Any shred of normalcy has slowly been eaten away by the constant pull of alcohol, which has replaced all other drives as the guiding force of Julia’s life. When Mitch (Saul Rubinek), her only friend and a recovering alcoholic, pushes her to attend an AA meeting, she meets her neighbor, Elena (Kate del Castillo). From there, Julia finds herself facing unexpected temptation as Elena shares a highly flawed plan to kidnap her own son, Tommy (Aidan Gould), from the wealthy grandfather he is living with. Elena promises money, and Julia can’t resist, embarking on a messy and sadistic journey that goes wrong at every turn and grows more complicated as her relationship with Tommy develops.

French Director Eric Zonca provides an ample platform on which his lead can display her many talents. Never shying away from serious, complex roles, Swinton carries the film with her nuanced and heart-wrenching portrayal of an out-of-control drunk. While it can be hard to watch at times, viewers will find themselves sucked in as Julia’s life spins speedily downhill. With her piercing stare and undeniable screen presence, Swinton demands our attention, whether we like it or not.

Details

Language:	English, Spanish
Country:	France, USA, Mexico, Belgium
Release date:	4 October 2008
Runtime:	144 min

Cast and Crew See all

Tilda Swinton

as Julia

Saul Rubinek

as Mitch

Kate Del Castillo

as Elena

Aidan Gould

as Tom

Photos See all

Julia (2008)

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Julia: Trailer

Users Reviews See all

Not surprisingly virtually everyone has been exposed to or the victim of alcoholism and/or it's handmaiden: codependency. Was your alcoholic/codependency experience entertaining? If so, watch with interest. If not skip it. Read and rate it

19.September.2010
|
by: Doctor Bill Kelley
Doctor Bill Kelley rated this movie0/10

05.September.2010
|
by: ColumboFan
ColumboFan rated this movie0/10

Why is this movie 2 hours and 25 minutes? It's essentially a neo-noir twisty thriller and those should never clock over two hours. Tilda Swinton plays a bra strap slipping alcoholic who kidnaps the grandson of a wealthy industrialist to collect a windfall. But first, 45 minutes is taken up with establishing Swinton's alcoholism, shaky-cam style, although we pretty much know in the first fifteen minutes. Her life has become unmanageable, she sleeps around, she blacks out, and she just can't keep those bra straps securely on her shoulder, we get it. But once the plot gears lock in it has some tense moments, and watching Swinton deal with the escalating complications is kicky. This woman is a wacko, and she is in over her head, but you start to realise that she does possess some jagged smarts. But it just takes too long to get there and this movie isn't as committed to the thriller aspects as it needs to be. In places it feels like Swinton is overacting, but I suspect that is because her performance hasn't been properly edited down. Some scenes are too long and others are just unnecessary. Maybe the director was trying to nab Swinton an Oscar nomination to boost the box office, or maybe he just has an unhealthy crush on her. Whatever the reason, her performance feels excessive. But I liked a lot of things about this movie. Swinton does a shocking thing at the scene of the kidnapping that plays well. Her cat and mouse with some Mexican criminals is good, and I thought the ending was satisfying. When it was all over I realised I had just watched a pretty good thriller. Until then I thought I was watching an actor's workshop. 4 Stars is probably generous, this movie is way too long, but what the heck?

05.September.2010
|
by: ColumboFan

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