Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  This is basically a contemporary take on Harold and Maude. For that reason, I was rather hesitant to see this, mostly because Harold and Maude is an amazing film, and one that really struck a chord with me. I kept an open mind though, and, while this film is similar to that one, it… More
  This is basically a contemporary take on Harold and Maude. For that reason, I was rather hesitant to see this, mostly because Harold and Maude is an amazing film, and one that really struck a chord with me. I kept an open mind though, and, while this film is similar to that one, it ultimately stands on its own. This is the story of a quirky romance, as shown through the lens of the talented and versatile Gus Van Sant. Enoch is a sullen and troubled lad whose 'hobby' as it were, is to crash funerals, whether he knows the deceased or not. He also spends a lot of time with Hiroshi- the ghost of a Kamikaze pilot who may or may not be just a figment of Enoch's imagination. At one of his many funeral crashings, Enoch has a meet cute with Annabel- a young woman ho loves nature, and like Enoch, spending time among the dead. Thinking she just works at a ward for 'kids with cancer', he comes to find out that she is instead a patient, suffering with a terminal brain tumor. Knowing she doesn't have much time, the two try to make the most of their blossoming relationship, with her getting some much needed understanding, and him learning that life doesn't have to be a gloomy as he thinks it is. This is a very sweet and poignant film. Thankfully, it rarely gets too sappy and schmaltzy. Even the quirkier elements like Hiroshi, are handled in a fairly realistic manner, despite how unrealistic it might seem. The film is also pretty solid with the characters and story, though there are a few plot points that don't really go anywhere and could have been handled better (namely the Halloween bully confrontation). Danny Elfman provides a solid, atypical (for him) score, Van Sant provides some good direction, and the lead performances by Henry (son of Dennis) Hopper and Mia Wasikowska are great. Ryo Kase is also quite good as Hiroshi, and even though it is odd, I like the idea of Enoch being friends with a Kamikaze pilot. Give this one a shot. It's a nice, well done indie film, and makes for a great date night watch.

• Nicki M

  
  Nicely acted and looks great. Mia Wasikowska is outstanding here. Story is a little slow, probably the worst thing I could say. I can see why some would not like it at all as its not the most cheerful topic, and some of it is a little pretentious. Though I enjoyed it, mostly the… More
  Nicely acted and looks great. Mia Wasikowska is outstanding here. Story is a little slow, probably the worst thing I could say. I can see why some would not like it at all as its not the most cheerful topic, and some of it is a little pretentious. Though I enjoyed it, mostly the performances, it would not be a movie I would rush to watch again.

• Greg S

  
  A boy with a kamikaze pilot ghost for a best friend and a hobby of attending funerals falls in love with a girl who's dying of cancer. Remaking HAROLD AND MAUDE as a teen romance with a hot Maude and a ghost sidekick sounds like a bad idea, but with some brain-dead acting and a… More
  A boy with a kamikaze pilot ghost for a best friend and a hobby of attending funerals falls in love with a girl who's dying of cancer. Remaking HAROLD AND MAUDE as a teen romance with a hot Maude and a ghost sidekick sounds like a bad idea, but with some brain-dead acting and a script that's sicklier than Mia Wasikowska's character, it's even worse than you would imagine.

• paul s

  
  I'm caught in a dilemma here, wanting to judge this film from an indie perspective and sensibility; at which point I would give this a fairly good passing grade due to the solid productions values and able performances by the two leads... but taken as a major, main stream… More
  I'm caught in a dilemma here, wanting to judge this film from an indie perspective and sensibility; at which point I would give this a fairly good passing grade due to the solid productions values and able performances by the two leads... but taken as a major, main stream production it fails for all the reasons that it makes a good indie. From the opening scenes I thought I was in a remake of Harold & Maude - and was hoping for dark satire - but what Gus Van Sant presents here is more of a quirky love story with two kids dealing with the big one - death. The dynamic is interesting with one of the characters refusing to succumb while the other has waved the white flag, all the while trying to make sense of his personal tragedy by becoming a funeral crasher (and please - do NOT pitch this as a Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler comedy!!!). The outward quirkiness and the offbeat nature of what is presented is a double edged sword - you can either dismiss it or accept it - just as the 2nd hand store clothing of the female role is either just right, or way too precious. However, what is for certain is that Mia Wasikowska hits all the notes just right here - real, vulnerable, yet with that spark of life and that slightly goofy, off center smile that makes you just want to hug her. Opposite Mia is the more difficult role of the shattered teen, and here Henry Hopper also manages the part well, managing to show his anger in a simmering fashion instead of boiling over (even if, as any teen would, he occasionally lashes out). Their quirky romance is just a bit too "aw gee", and since this budding romance is the center that the rest of the film spins around, then one will either enjoy the film for this teen based bit of nostalgia, or wish that a more serious tone were employed concerning the topic of death and how to deal with it. Perhaps this is the point - and the only way to approach the topic of death is with a modicum of gentle humor. Once again, I'm on the fence and can see this film from both perspectives - a sweet tome to youth and discovery, or a too precious look into two different perspectives on death.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper, Jane Adams, Schuyler Fisk, Ryo Kase, Rachel Cotton, Chin Han Director: Gus Van Sant Summary: After she is diagnosed with a disease that will soon claim her life, a young girl (Mia Wasikowska) strikes up an unusually strong friendship with a boy… More
  Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper, Jane Adams, Schuyler Fisk, Ryo Kase, Rachel Cotton, Chin Han Director: Gus Van Sant Summary: After she is diagnosed with a disease that will soon claim her life, a young girl (Mia Wasikowska) strikes up an unusually strong friendship with a boy (Henry Hopper) who deals with the problems in his own troubled family by attending funerals. Gus Van Sant directs this touching drama. My Thoughts: "I really enjoyed the movie, it's story, it's character's, and the way it was told. Enoch is a quirky dark soul that has been crashing funerals and not doing much living. When he meets Annabel, she awakens him again and he starts living as she struggles with holding on to do the same. I really loved Enoch and Annabel together. I just thought as character's, they were really written for each other. Both are unique and spunky individuals who played off of each others quirkiness with such ease. It's really hard for me to like romance flicks, but this one won me over. I got drawn in by the tone of the film. It may not move fast enough for some though. The acting is great. I really love Mia Wasikowska. She is one of the great young talents out right now. This is my first time seeing Henry Hopper (Dennis Hopper's son) in a film, and he was fantastic. Showing great humor, loneliness, anger, and saddness. I loved him as Enoch. It's a sweet endearing film. A movie I would love to watch again."

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Who do you live for?"</i> The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"Who do you live for?"</i> The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Director Gus Van Sant is renowned for films that explore the lives of lost or outcast characters, and reveal their strength and beauty. And his latest film Restless is no exception. The film tells the story of two free-spirited teenagers - Annabel (Mia Wasikowska) and Enoch (Henry Hopper). Annabel is suffering a terminal illness, whilst Enoch splits his time between attending stranger's funerals and talking to the ghost of a kamikaze pilot named Hiroshi (Ryo Kase). As they fall for each other, it becomes clear that they are exactly what each other needs, and their lives revolve around making the most of each moment together. Based on this summary you could be excused for thinking that Restless might be too melancholy. But I think it is more a celebration of life. Don't get me wrong, the film certainly does tug at the heart-strings, but there is an appreciation and acceptance of the fleeting nature of life that overwhelms the sadness. Van Sant has created a beautiful film with vivid images and masterful direction. It's also quite quirky due to its interesting characters, script and film score. The performances are very good (especially from Wasikowska) which I think add to the strong emotions elicited in the audience. Annabel's zest for life is especially inspirational. In this sense Restless is so much more than a love story. It certainly makes you appreciate life and loved ones, and this is what I really liked about the film.

• Lewis C

  
  Mia Wasikowska seems to be drawn to these quirky indie movies, and she should be because she's good at them. She's the best thing about Restless, a drama about an emotionally wounded young man, a dying young woman, the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot, and birds.… More
  Mia Wasikowska seems to be drawn to these quirky indie movies, and she should be because she's good at them. She's the best thing about Restless, a drama about an emotionally wounded young man, a dying young woman, the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot, and birds. Unfortunately, she's not the main character. That's Enoch, played by Henry Hopper. He's just not right for the role, and veers between unlikable and uninteresting. Restless also seems a bit unfocused, as well, as if the concept wasn't properly expanded by the writer into a full story. It starts off with promise, only to lose some of my interest on the way to the mishandled ending. As a result, the movie just isn't everything it could have been. I liked it, it's just hard to not be somewhat disappointed by the wasted potential. There are resonant moments throughout the story, but there are just as many scenes that just seem hollow or misplaced. Restless could have been very good, instead it's just okay.

• Carlos M

  
  This is a typical indie drama full of indie clichés from beginning to end, but with a Gus Van Sant taste to it. An irritating film that tests the viewer's patience and capacity to stand a protagonist who is so selfish, immature, ill-mannered and obnoxious. Not enough, the… More
  This is a typical indie drama full of indie clichés from beginning to end, but with a Gus Van Sant taste to it. An irritating film that tests the viewer's patience and capacity to stand a protagonist who is so selfish, immature, ill-mannered and obnoxious. Not enough, the conflicts are all artificial and ridiculous.

• Emil K

  
  This is more conventional Gus Van Sant than we are used to seem from him in a long time. Compared to his death-trilogy, Restless feels almost coming from the hands of another director. It is pretentious and feels awfully forced. Van Sant has made a film that feels like Love Story… More
  This is more conventional Gus Van Sant than we are used to seem from him in a long time. Compared to his death-trilogy, Restless feels almost coming from the hands of another director. It is pretentious and feels awfully forced. Van Sant has made a film that feels like Love Story made for hipsters. Even the photography by usually good Harris Savides feels muted and performances much too safe. Things are't helped by Danny Elfman's cheesy score either. The lead actors here cannot be faulted. Henry Hopper and Mia Wasikowska are actually quite sweet copule on a screen. It is just that the story gives them almost nothing to do. Film's biggest flaws are certainly Van Sant's lifeless direction and Jason Lew's cliched screenplay. There are some beautiful autumnal images here and there, but that does not make a good film. Not by a mile. Coming in the heels of bland and average Milk, Restless feels even more weaker. I truly hope that van Sant is getting his mojo back for his second one. But if you think of it, he has always been a hit and miss director who has made more misses in his career. At his best he can deliver a powerful films like Elephant and Paranoid Park, but at his worst films like Restless.

• Liam G

  
  With annoying characters and proving tedious throughout, Gus Van Sant's ''Restless'' is just so dull to watch with uninteresting characters and no reason to care about anything going on.

• Walter M

  
  In "Restless," Enoch(Henry Hopper) is a teenager who lives with his aunt Mabel(Jane Adams) in Portland, Or but does not go to school. Instead, he hangs out with Hiroshi(Ryo Kase), a ghost, who he consistently loses to at Battleship. Otherwise, Enoch attends random funerals… More
  In "Restless," Enoch(Henry Hopper) is a teenager who lives with his aunt Mabel(Jane Adams) in Portland, Or but does not go to school. Instead, he hangs out with Hiroshi(Ryo Kase), a ghost, who he consistently loses to at Battleship. Otherwise, Enoch attends random funerals and is noticed at one by Annabel(Mia Wasikowska), a fellow teenager. At first, he just wants to be left alone but after she bails him out at another funeral, the two become friendly, as she confides that she is not just a volunteer at the hospital... "Restless" is a wildly uneven movie that never quite finds the right combination of pathos and literal September-December romance. A lot of that comes from the movie's message of celebrating a person's life after they have died but that's very hard to do with the young who have not lived as much.(There is a neat rejoinder to this line of thinking in the 1999 movie "Last Night.") In fact, a more solemn tone would have worked better considering how damaged Enoch really is. If one wants to look at the characters symbolically with all of the anachronistic names and clothing, then Hiroshi is not the only ghost. See, he is dead, Enoch was dead and Annabelle will soon be dead.

• Glenn G

  
  Did I just see a cutesy movie about death or the second coming of HAROLD AND MAUDE? The answer is a little of both in Gus Van Sant's latest outing, RESTLESS. As much as there is to admire here - the lovely cinematography by Harris Savides, the sweet music selections dominated… More
  Did I just see a cutesy movie about death or the second coming of HAROLD AND MAUDE? The answer is a little of both in Gus Van Sant's latest outing, RESTLESS. As much as there is to admire here - the lovely cinematography by Harris Savides, the sweet music selections dominated by Sufjan Stevens, and the perfectly pitched characterization by Mia Wasikowska - there are also many drawbacks - -the somewhat blank lead performance by Henry Hopper (son of the late Dennis Hopper) which feels more like a modeling audition tape for Bruce Weber than a real, and the imaginary friend motif which gets old really fast. Luckily, the big revelations of our central characters are revealed early on, as my fear was these would be 3rd act "surprises". This film has a lovely, gentle quality that some will say is twee, overly precious, and downright annoying. It has everything detractors will hate in films like these: soft focus, leaves changing colors, awful lead character names (Enoch Brae and Annabel Cotton - really????), and enough haute couture to make you wonder where these kids get their money for outfits they're just gonna soil anyhow when they spend inordinate amounts of time in the woods or lying around their own chalk outlines! Man, this sounds like I hated this movie more than I did. We're watching Gus Van Sant in a more linear mood - kinder, gentler, reflective. Ok, it sounds like he made a Maxi-Pad commercial instead of a film. Some will say he did. Overall though, I was pleased to see a joyous film about such a depressing topic.

• Laurence C

  
  Mincing and shallow to an alarming degree. Van Sant's aim is to capture fleeting moments of life, but the only reaction he managed to elicit in me was an urge to go shopping for fashionable new clothes. Symbolic dialogue sucks. Wasikowska doesn't.

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