neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Moonlight Mile
	Brad Silberling Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Holly Hunter, Ellen Pompeo YEAR 2002		Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon are so prominent in the bittersweet drama "Moonlight Mile," it's hard to imagine less experienced cast members, such as vulnerable-young-man-of-the-moment Jake Gyllenhaal ("The Good Girl," "Lovely & Amazing," "Donnie Darko") and spirited, sexy-yet-accessible newcomer Ellen Pompeo, keeping up with their elders. But all of the actors in this consideration of love, loss, grief, guilt and compassion have the proper tone and give solid, soul-stirring performances. Set in a small New England town during the '70s, the film begins with fallout from a tragedy that brings Joe (Gyllenhaal) closer to his future in-laws (Hoffman, Sarandon) than he might like to be. As Joe tries to assuage their unhappiness, he finds himself drawn to a kind, emotionally bruised, slightly older barmaid (Pompeo). The only quibbles arise from the overly familiar pop songs used to place the era and an unnecessarily melodramatic, audience-pandering courtroom climax.