Movies

Edward Norton's troubled character is really strong, reminding somehow Taxi Driver's De Niro - though not so immense. The story is well-told and generates suspense and melancholy, plus David Morse is in my opinion a very talented actor and Rachel Wood's performance is nothing bad. That's why I reckon this revisionist Western is cryptic and enigmatic at the same time, powerful would say. On the other hand the lead actor is one of the best nowadays and this time, playing the role of a potential psychopath turning into a real psychopath, manages to be extremely believable. The Los Angeles setting as well is very appropriate.

I thought I had seen all of Edward Norton's movies, but I couldnt remember having seen this one.The bad: it didnt leave a lasting impression. It's not a bad movie, simply a lackluster one. Nothing much happens for the first hour and only at the end there is a bizarre violent final, which is out of place.The good: Edward Norton is a great actor. He does his best to get into his character, but somehow I didnt buy into it...

Just caught "Down in the Valley" by David Jacobson (who also wrote) at the cinema and was completely knocked out. An achingly beautiful & melancholy film, tender as an open wound and with a Edward Norton in, I think, his finest role (he also produced, with the help of the Sundance Foundation) as he veers towards the void, like an innocent Travis Bickle. He plays a delusional drifter who thinks he's a cowboy in the modern day San Fernando Valley, who falls for the beautiful young daughter (great performance Evan Rachel Wood) of David Morse (always consistent). Great script with some wonderful lines + a nice cameo role from Bruce Dern...this film left some indelible mark - one of the best I've seen in some time. Highly recommended. Oh, fantastic music, also....