Georgia (1995)

Very disappointing...

The Age of Commercialism

Sick Product of a Sick System

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

If you enjoy or are in the mood for a character driven movie with terrific performances and can endure scenes where a character so embarrasses him- or herself that you cringe, then you'll find Georgia rewarding viewing. Jennifer Jason Leigh is terrific as always—but so is Mare Winningham.If you don't enjoy such movies, or are not in the mood for one, you will be bored or annoyed or upset by Georgia. There is not much in the way of a plot, and the movie stops rather than ends.As you can tell by my rating, I (often, but not always) enjoy character driven movies, and I think Georgia is one of the most memorable I've seen. That said, I have found myself in moods where I'd rather gargle glass than watch this (or a John Cassavetes movie, who I think is the master of the type).The plot—or perhaps situation is a better word—is simple. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Sadie Flood, a singer whose chops are mediocre at best but can convey raw, honest emotion, and whose life is lived in the shadow of her successful sister, Georgia, a country/folk singer with a mellifluous voice that conveys no emotion whatsoever and who enjoys a bit more than modest success in the Pacific Northwest. As played by Leigh, Sadie is an open wound of a human being: for every chance given her, she will mess it up; every trust extended she will betray. Why? Because she has neither the talent nor the love of her sister, who is as tightly wound a control monster as you will ever meet in life or fiction. About the only emotion she allows herself to express is a poisonous hatred for Sadie. Early on the movie you can see it leaking from Georgia in spite of herself, and there is a scene where Georgia extends a chance to perform for a large audience, and Sadie's performance is so awful (purposefully on Leigh's part, of course) that it might cause a viewer to feel such disdain is justified, but Georgia must surely know her sister, and to give her a such chance is to invite disaster.As I wrote above, the film does not end as much as stop, inter cutting between two performances by Sadie and Georgia. I don't know if Georgia even knows she hates Sadie, but Sadie knows she will always be in her sister's shadow; hence her never ending abuse of drink and drugs to blot out that knowledge and the pain of rejection.

Sadie Flood wants to be a famous singer like her big sister Georgia.But she has her own demons, and she seeks comfort from drugs and alcohol.Georgia (1995) is a music drama directed by Ulu Grosbard.Jennifer Jason Leigh gives a strong performance in the lead playing the troubled singer Sadie Flood.She is the heart and soul of this film, as her on-screen sister Mare Winningham said, but yet only Mare received an Academy Award nomination.Leigh's mother Barbara Turner wrote the film.Ted Levine plays the part of Jake.Max Perlich plays Axel Goldman.John Doe portrays Bobby.John C. Reilly is Herman, the drummer.The late singer Jimmy Witherspoon plays Trucker.The most memorable moment in this movie must be when Sadie sings Van Morrison's Take Me Back with that Janis Joplin voice.If you have some time, don't miss this independent film.

This movie seems to have been ruined by a plot or that never really got off the ground. The scripting was very weak and cliche at times. But the saving grace for this movie was Jennifer Jason Leigh. Jennifer Jason Leigh was this movie. Without her it would never have never left the can. There was some very good music in this movie that is very much part of the mid-90's Seattle grundge scene. The plot of this movie is really not worth commenting on. Well I think the cinema photography was quite good also. If you love Jennifer Jason Leigh and don't mind seeing her playing a down and out role then you will enjoy this movie. Don't expect much of anything else though. I read a few comments here by those that either really like Jennifer and those that don't. But I think she is a unique and original and highly crafted actress in a field of look alikes and clones. And like I said that is the only reason to watch this movie.

Well, I love Jennifer Jason Leigh, I've been Hooked since Single White Female and the Hudsucker Proxy. Ah, this role didint even seem to challenge her, she kicks butt. Though she sings like a toilet, i profess to do no better. Her backup band was quite amazing though, the guy who played Bobby alone could have kept on carrying the band. He has a lovely voice, as does Mare Winningham, who knew?