The United States of Leland
Release Date:
April 2, 2004
Limited release
On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 31/92 |
David Mumpower |
I pledge allegiance to a film most would find off-putting. |
| 128/133 |
Dan Krovich |
Disappointingly pretentious |
The United States of Leland focuses on a teenager who commits a senseless murder that rocks not only his and the victim’s families, but also his small community. Committed to a juvenile facility, Leland is befriended by a teacher and aspiring author who attempts to make sense of the boy’s crime, and hopefully get a book deal out of the process. Pretty much everybody in the piece, teacher included, is a dysfunctional mess, and while the reasons behind the crime never become clear, the atmosphere that could have led to such violence is examined in detail.
This is the first film from writer/director Hoge, who once worked in a juvenile detention center and thus brings some expertise to the film. The movie premiered at Sundance this year, and is slated for a limited release beginning September 12, 2003. With a cast that includes Don Cheadle, Lena Olin and Kevin Spacey, and good early reviews, the film will likely attract a great deal of attention come awards time; however, given the dark subject matter, even the stellar cast will likely not help the film break out of the art-house circuit and the movie will likely not be a prolonged presence at your local cinema. (Stephanie Star Smith/BOP)
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