This Movie is – Not Rated
Alex (Alan Rickman) is a quiet, reserved man. He is sitting alone in a truck stop diner when he is joined by a rather eccentric, talkative young woman (Vivienne). She needs a ride and eventually he gives in and takes her with him. As they are driving, she finally gets him to start opening up a little about his life. Alex finds that he is really enjoying her company. Unfortunately, that’s when things take a tragic turn.
After which, Alex feels the need to talk to Vivienne’s mother and tell her how sorry he is about what happened. Also, to deliver some gifts that her daughter had purchased for her. Although, when he arrives at her house he is surprised by what he finds there. It turns out that her mother, Linda (Sigourney Weaver), is autistic. Alex doesn’t know what to do. He feels guilty for what happened and is worried about leaving Linda by herself. She ends up convincing him to stay until Tuesday so he can take the trash out for her. Since she doesn’t do garbage and normally Vivienne would do it.
As Alex gets to know Linda, we find out that she is high functioning autistic. She is very verbal and very bluntly says whatever comes to mind. Everything must be very clean and orderly. Oh, and she really doesn’t like anyone in her kitchen. Some very interesting encounters occur as they both try to learn how to function around each other.
The scene when Linda and Alex are playing “comic book” Scrabble is wonderful. Basically, you just make up words, but then you have to use them in a sentence. Alex does a terrible job of coming up with a sentence for his word and barely stumbles through it. Then it’s Linda’s turn. She makes up a beautiful, deep and eloquent story for hers and puts his to shame. It is such a lovely scene.
I also like when Alex is going through Vivienne’s music collection and finds “Just Looking” by the Stereophonics. He has big headphones on and is singing along with the song. Something about Alan singing along to a band that is in my CD collection amused me greatly. Probably because it makes me picture my dad singing a song by a band I like (pigs would have to be flying before that would happen). By the way Stereophonics is a great band from Wales. I especially like their CD “Language. Sex. Violence. Other?”.
This is a slower moving film about people coping with what life throws at them. It is touching, tragic and amusing. Everyone involved learns something about themselves and become better people because of it. Both Alan and Sigourney are exceptional in their respective roles. They bring their characters to life and make you care about them.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Vivienne – “Do you wanna know why I sat here? Because you look like a man who needs to talk. You look like a guy who hasn’t talked in a really long time.”
Alex – “I’m driving to Winnipeg. You’d better get out when I’ve had enough.”
Alex – “Just wanted to talk to you for a couple of minutes.”
Linda – “About what? I’m very busy and I don’t do social.”
Linda – “I’m gonna give you the licorice one. I can’t stomach the licorice one. It tastes like cat pee.”
Linda – “By the way, that’s my third favorite sweater so you can’t keep it.”
Linda – “Vivienne says I’m probably the only adult in the entire world who has a bunk bed.”
Linda – “Have you ever had an orgasm, Alex?”
Alex – “It has been known.”
Linda – “Vivienne once described an orgasm to me. It sounds like an inferior version of what I feel when I have a mouthful of snow.”
Alex – “You’d better tell me about what you think Vivienne would want.”
Linda – “I know what Vivienne would want. She’d want to be alive.”
Jan
Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
Alex’s story is so painfully tragic. First he finds out that he has an 18-year old son that he never knew about. Then that son is hit and killed by a drunk driver on the way to meet him for the first time. After that Alex tracks down the man that killed his son and punches him. Unfortunately, the man hits his head on a stone floor and dies, which leads to a prison sentence for Alex. It’s no wonder he is so withdrawn and doesn’t deal well with people. He is just waiting for life to deliver another painful blow, which of course it does.
The funeral that Alex put together for Vivienne was just perfect. It reflected the wonderful, caring, unconventional young woman that she was. He thought of everything, from the fiber optic light on top of the casket to the song that was played during the funeral (“Hello Sunshine” by the Super Furry Animals). Giving everyone the opportunity to celebrate her life, not just mourn her death.
