Labor Day (2013): Dir: Jason Reitman / Cast: Josh Brolin, Kate Winslet, Gattlin Griffith, Brighid Fleming, Tobey Maguire: Manipulative drivel about a long weekend that brought passion and love in the most unexpected way. Kate Winslet plays a single mother battling depression, and Gattlin Griffith plays her wise beyond years son. Josh Brolin plays an injured escape convict who spends the weekend at their house. He means no harm and declares that the murder charge isn't what the news is reporting. There is a back story that regards getting home after Vietnam only to learn that his baby really isn't his. Winslet's husband ran off with his secretary so her son does most of the errands. Starts out interesting until manipulation sets in. He ties her up gently hinting the pathetic attempt at kinky. Neighbors stop by unannounced then they make a peach pie. Even the cop stopping by seems like a bad plot contrivance. This doesn't end with the satisfaction that perhaps director Jason Reitman believes he achieves but this is a major step down after directing great films like Juno and Thank You For Smoking. The principal actors play out their roles with appeal and sometimes conviction but smaller roles are an annoyance. We have Tobey Maguire in a brief role as the film's narrative. The biggest idiot is a manipulative girl, played by Brighid Fleming who comes off like an adult in a juvenile body. Her talks with Griffith are never convincing and further lend reason why this is nothing more than a high budget soap opera unworthy of viewing on any day let alone Labor. Score: 4 ½ / 10
Review of Labor Day
