RODRIGO GARCIA
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.
USA, 2005. Mockingbird Pictures, Z Films, Nine Lives. Screenplay by Rodrigo Garcia. Cinematography by Xavier Grobet. Produced by Julie Lynn. Music by Ed Shearmur. Production Design by Courtney Jackson. Costume Design by Maria Tortu. Film Editing by Andrea Folprecht. Independent Spirit Awards 2006. National Board of Review Awards 2005.
Rodrigo Garcia follows Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her with another multifaceted look at the lives of various women. It presents nine scenes in the lives of characters whose relationships with others, themselves or the world are at an impasse: Holly Hunter in a loveless marriage, Amy Brenneman reconnecting with her ex-husband, Glenn Close trying to impart a sense of history to her daughter, Kathy Baker dealing with impending cancer surgery. While it is pulled off with the same polish and delicacy that the previous film featured, this time the stories do not hit so deep, nor are the emotions as resonant despite an equal level of commitment from the impressive cast.