Laurel Canyon (2002)

68% of critics liked it
(110 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(8,714 ratings)

Writer/director Lisa Cholodenko follows up her much-acclaimed 1997 debut High Art with this examination of a young couple seduced into a hedonistic, left-coast lifestyle. Taking its title from its central locale, Laurel Canyon focuses on a pair of upper-middle class lovebirds from the East Coast who… More Writer/director Lisa Cholodenko follows up her much-acclaimed 1997 debut High Art with this examination of a young couple seduced into a hedonistic, left-coast lifestyle. Taking its title from its central locale, Laurel Canyon focuses on a pair of upper-middle class lovebirds from the East Coast who relocate to Los Angeles. Freshly minted from Harvard, Sam (Christian Bale) and Alex (Kate Beckinsale) are eager to continue their medical studies out West, but they need some lodging while they hunt for a home. Enter Jane (Frances McDormand), Sam's estranged, Age-of-Aquarius mom, who's more than willing to put the couple up in her lavish digs. Jane is a successful record producer whose latest charge -- both in the studio and in her bedroom -- is Ian (Alessandro Nivola), a brazen, libidinous twentysomething Brit-rocker. As Sam and Alex settle in at Jane's, they gradually lose their straight-and-narrow approach to life and begin to experiment. Alex takes to Ian and Jane, while Sam is wooed by co-worker Sara (Natascha McElhone). Laurel Canyon features a score by Shudder to Think's Craig Wedren; the music for Ian's band was provided by Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous and indie-rockers Folk Implosion. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko
Written By: Lisa Cholodenko
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Mar 7, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jul 15, 2003
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
An immediate guilty pleasure.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fizzles out in the third act, but we're long past caring. By then, Frances McDormand has usurped the movie and turned it into a lesson in character acting.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
Self-discovery seems to be the goal, but the revelations hardly seem worth the work.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
McDormand is superb. Likewise Bale and Nivola.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
If there is one reason to see Laurel Canyon, it's to witness McDormand in the kind of role she's long deserved.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Laurel Canyon's end isn't entirely satisfying, but the story works.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
It's a story about how people get seduced by Los Angeles. That still happens, you know.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
As a follow up to High Art, this melodrama is not as good or provocative as Cholodenko's debut. Even so, the film deals with female (lesbian) sexuality and as such deserves recognition.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
It pulled me in with its friendly, inclusive, nonjudgmental appraisal of human nature.
Mark Sells, Oregon Herald
Despite a great ensemble of actors, it will leave you hanging from a cliff.
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
'We're left with a film that doesn't create enough interest in what went on in those Laurel Canyon backyards to justify pulling over and watching.'
Annette Dasey, Teletext
No matter how many times she pushes her specs up her nose Beckinsale is never going to be believable as a nerd. Bale as a psychiatrist: it's easier to envisage him as Batman.
Marcy Dermansky, About.com
Frances McDormand lets loose in a terrific new role as record producer, mother, and corrupter of curious girls.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Relatively subtle, decently played inter-generational relationship drama - ultimately... kinda unsatisfying as a story. Felt like the film-maker had good characters, actors and settings... but it kinda went fffftt. Could have been good. Reminded me a little of Beatty and… More
Relatively subtle, decently played inter-generational relationship drama - ultimately... kinda unsatisfying as a story. Felt like the film-maker had good characters, actors and settings... but it kinda went fffftt. Could have been good. Reminded me a little of Beatty and Ashby's Shampoo. I dug the establishing aerial sequence.
Conner R

A good dramatic story with a comedic side. It relies on the acting talents to carry the story, who do that quite well. Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale and Frances McDormand all gave strong performances and worked quite well together. I feel that the movie lacked a message, but it was… More
A good dramatic story with a comedic side. It relies on the acting talents to carry the story, who do that quite well. Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale and Frances McDormand all gave strong performances and worked quite well together. I feel that the movie lacked a message, but it was still enjoyable.
Corey W

"Christan Bale and Kate Beckansale deliver a wonderful delight" I really enjoyed this movie. This one of Christan Bale's first and best films. Its about alot of things like affairs, relationships, mother and son, and rockers who do anything for sex. Its a big… More
"Christan Bale and Kate Beckansale deliver a wonderful delight" I really enjoyed this movie. This one of Christan Bale's first and best films. Its about alot of things like affairs, relationships, mother and son, and rockers who do anything for sex. Its a big drama that anyone can enjoy. Watch this movie because it delivers more than you'd think.
Leigh R

Sexy strange.
jay n

frances mcdormand is fine as usual and its an interesting film but it rambles.
Michael G

Bale and Beckinsale play the most attractive and also the most boring couple alive and you're begging for them to break up by the end of the movie. The performances were pretty good but the characters were pretty pretentious and slightly lame. And the last scene was supposed to… More
Bale and Beckinsale play the most attractive and also the most boring couple alive and you're begging for them to break up by the end of the movie. The performances were pretty good but the characters were pretty pretentious and slightly lame. And the last scene was supposed to mean something but I'm guessing the creative team just pulled something out of their collective ass at that point. Not great by any means but I can definitely think of worse ways to blow two hours.
Marcus W

Christian Bale is brilliant as always but the rest of the film isn't. It's a character piece (and thankfully short), but it does appear to be an exercise in making Kate Beckinsale strip down to her underwear (thanks to a no-nudity clause) every ten minutes...all very well,… More
Christian Bale is brilliant as always but the rest of the film isn't. It's a character piece (and thankfully short), but it does appear to be an exercise in making Kate Beckinsale strip down to her underwear (thanks to a no-nudity clause) every ten minutes...all very well, but is a plot too much to ask for? Saying that, Frances McDormand is very good also. One for diehard Kate Beckinsale fans.