Reel Critics
Van Novack
In Altman-like fashion, director Ray Lawrence has produced an
intricate tapestry of interwoven lives in his latest film “Lantana.” In
an opening reminiscent of “Blue Velvet,” the camera tracks through a
dense flowering shrub (Lantana) and reveals a dark world usually just
beyond our view.
The excellent cast portrays four married couples, each at a crossroads
in their relationship. One such couple is Leon and Sonja Zat. Leon
(Anthony LaPaglia) is a cop and his life is coming apart. He is cheating
on Sonja, is experiencing crippling chest pains and is becoming
increasingly out of control on the job. Sonja (Kerry Armstrong) is seeing
a psychiatrist to sort out her feelings regarding her crumbling marriage.
Sonja’s psychiatrist is Dr. Valerie Somers (Barbara Hershey), with her
own personal demons and troubled marriage. Dr. Somers is married to John
Knox (Geoffrey Rush), a distant and somewhat cold academic.
Andrew Bovell wrote “Lantana” and based it on his stage play “Speaking
in Tongues.” Lantana seems to have a somewhat ordinary setup and has been
marketed as a murder mystery. While this plot device does serve as the
core of the story and ultimately brings the characters together, the
wonderful writing and performances make this picture quite special. Each
person on screen is deeply drawn. These are everyday people suffering
through extraordinary circumstances and conflict. How each reacts to
events has a ring of absolute truth.
“Lantana” received seven Australian Film Institute awards including
best picture. Playing in very limited release, “Lantana” is definitely
worth seeking out. This film deserves, and may well receive, serious
Academy Award consideration.
* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at Cal
State Long Beach.
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