John Sayles Pulls A Fast One Reviewed by Bruce Cantwell You're not going to like the way this movie ends. Let's establish that right from the get go. John Sayles pulls a fast one on us that we're not going to buy. It doesn't matter that the ending is totally in keeping with the theme of the film. Art Shmart. Why am I encouraging you to see a film that's bound to leave you shaking your head? There is much about Limbo that makes up for its single shortcoming. Joe Gastineau (David Strathairn) works for a pair of lesbian caterers in Juneau, Alaska. With the salmon run drying up and Disneyfying eco-tourism entrepreneurs locking horns with clear-cut lumberers it's clear that for your average Joe,this ain't the place to be. It's no place for a saloon singer either. Donna De Angelo (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio has just broken up (on stage) with her guitarist boyfriend and once again thrown her daughter Noelle's (Vanessa Martinez) life for a loop by moving out without telling her. Sayles moves easily from character to character and much can be learned about folks in these parts by lending an ear to the folks spinning tales at the local watering hole. Here Donna learns about the boating accident that shaped (or rather stunted) Joe's life. It's also where she runs into the shady old bush pilot Smilin' Jack (Kris Kristofferson). Like his best film Lone Star, Limbo offers up a wonderful sense of place. Background characters behave as though they've known each other all their lives. It's as shocking to the audience as to the characters when that comfortably established world is yanked out from beneath us. I hesitate to discuss how this happens because I was totally unprepared for it and want you to be too. I'll only say that you get two movies for the price of one and both are good even if we're stuck with that damned ending!

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