FeaturesWidescreen, Closed Caption, Featurette\Theatrical Trailer, With Subtitles
GenreDrama, General
Additional Product Features
Number of Discs1
Certificate12A/12
Hearing ImpairedEnglish
ComposerLisa Loeb, Danny Elfman
Production DesignerDonald Graham Burt
Additional InformationDirector Wayne Wang, known for family dramas about Chinese Americans that focus on mother-daughter relationships (DIM SUM, THE JOY LUCK CLUB), here adapts Mona Simpson's ANYWHERE BUT HERE, a novel perfectly suited for his talents. Teenage Ann (Natalie Portman) wants a normal life, but her mother, Adele (Susan Sarandon), has a different idea of what is considered normal. When Adele grows tired of claustrophobic small-town life in Wisconsin, she takes the constantly complaining Ann across the country to Los Angeles, where she wants to start a new life. Ann, however, doesn't want to go, and her behavior wavers between typical adolescent annoyance to real insightfulness into her mother's character. Much of this comes from the voice-over provided by the adult Ann, who explains it all from her mature point of view. This sentimental story, long on feelings and more feelings, is nicely played, with Sarandon enthusiastic as the eccentric single mother that her daughter can't wait to get away from.
ReviewsVariety - ...Sumptuously crafted....Crowd pleasing and tear jerking moments..., Box Office - ...Wang keeps a precise balance, necessary to blend a high-octane performance from Sarandon with an understated one from Portman....The film looks ravishing..., Rolling Stone - ...[Natalie Portman] is smart, funny, luminous and rigorously unsentimental..., USA Today - ...It's terrific to see such well-matched actresses of opposing generations duke it out in this adaptation of Mona Simpson's best seller..., New York Times - ...Mr. Wang again works splendidly with actresses....Ms. Portman does a terrific job...