Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon (2002)

  • 68% of critics liked it
    (110 reviews)

  • 50% of users liked it
    (8,918 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

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Lisa Cholodenko
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Mar 7, 2003 Wide
Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

  • Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

    The movie's contrivances begin to rankle.

  • 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.

Read all 13 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Leigh R


    Sexy strange.

  • jay n


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

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

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