And life goes on.
Regular readers here know that I am a big fan of Ron Howard, who is perhaps one of the most grounded people working in show business. Some of his work has been outstanding. I am thinking of "Cocoon" and "Splash" and the wonderful "Apollo 13."
Unfortunately, the latest films Ron has directed have not been great, but I saw them nonetheless. As for the current "Hillbilly Elegy," I would say that Mr. Howard has redeemed himself a bit. This is a thoroughly engaging film that holds your interest, even though it is incredibly painful to watch.
The source material is a best selling book of a few years back by J.D. Vance who tells the story of his family as he became an attorney. If that doesn't sound all that interesting, well, you haven't met his family. They are hillbillies in Kentucky and the most annoying and despicable kind.
These are not the lovable Clampetts. J.D.'s mom had a career as a nurse which provided her with too easy access to painkilling drugs. An addiction ensues and Mom is a mess. So, too, is Mom's mom, called Mawmaw...again Granny Clampett but without the comedy.
The book and movie shuttles between J.D. as a teenager and his later life as he tries to get his first legal job with a prestigious law firm. He has turned out all right as an adult. He's got a great girlfriend and a bright future. But family woes intervene just as they have his entire life. This is the dramatic version of "The Munsters" but focusing on the trials and tribulations of daughter Marilyn.
Again, this is a tough watch. There were many moments where I wanted to scream at J.D.. Leave! Run away! Ditch the family! But he doesn't. At the same time, that's both frustrating and admirable.
There is major acting Oscar bait in "Hillbilly Elegy" with Glenn Close as Mawmaw in a performance that's a far cry from her knife wielding days in "Fatal Attraction." Amy Adams also chews up the scenery like a paper shredder as Mom, who makes Joan Crawford look like Barbara Billingsley.
I have a few friends who could not get through this movie. And maybe that's because a nerve was struck. Because every one, at some point in their lives, have hindered by a family issue or two.
Given that reaction, I guess you can say Ron Howard has tapped into something a bit more universal than we thought. And the best news of all is that he's got himself a movie he can be proud of.
LEN'S RATING: Three-and-a-half stars.
Dinner last night: Tomato soup.
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