I’m going to be blatantly honest with you. My taste in movies usually aligns with the average 15-year-old boy. Think Superbad or Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby. I know there are all kinds of misogynistic and degrading aspects to this whole genre of films, but I simply can’t help myself. The urge to laugh at menial things is all too tempting.
That said, I can (and often do) appreciate well-made movies of a more serious nature, especially if a favorite actor is in it. That is exactly the case with Sleepwalking. Starring Charlize Theron, alongside Nick Stahl and AnnaSophia Robb, the movie tells the story of a little girl (Robb) who must deal with her mother’s (Theron) abandonment and adjust to life with her uncle (Stahl). Stahl’s character, on the other hand, goes through his own discovery process while trying to reconcile his childhood with the predicament he finds himself in now. When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it could be one of those rare movies that captures things that actually happen to real people.
I love Robb’s line, “I’m not pretending to do my homework; I’m pretending not to hate my life!”
With a Sundance Film Festival screening under its belt, the film’s Hollywood, red-carpet premiere was last Friday, leading up to its release this Friday. Unfortunately, most of the reviews of Sleepwalking agree that although the acting and cinematography are superb, the story arc leaves something to be desired. Regardless, I will probably still go see this film. I have always adored Theron’s choice of roles, and I predict a North Country— or Monster-like performance from her in this one as well.
