Down in the Valley (2005)

I was around some new friends and I wanted to showoff of my fanfare on Edward Norton and I told them any thing with Ed’s label would be a treat to watch,I am thankful they didn’t act on me .Down in the valley is a pathetic movie that too from Edward Nortan.

Down in the valley portrays the adolescent love between Harlan (Edward Norton ) and Tobe (Evan Rachel wood ) ,Harlan in thirties and Tobe in Eighteen .Tobe loves Harlan for his innocence and soon it turns to be a tragedy when they mess up with her Dad( Rory Culkin)and slowly the movie turns out to be a sorry .Directed by David Jacobson the movie has lost its control pathetically for the start it had.

One special mention to be made on the beautifully shot even in normal localities ,that showed me the sign of one of the impressive movies in the beginning. But when the movie got simpler with only three characters the script writers had no clue where to head next.Loonie (Tobe’s brotherRory Culkin ) has become a compulsive lead in the play .I think the plot should have taken a different route in getting in to their chemistry rather showing chase,blood sheds.

Second part of the movie ,the scenes of Edward’s loneliness and dialogues at home resembles the movie Taxi driver .You can not believe there is exactly a same scene like “Yeah you talking to me “.It was sad a actor like Edward Norton doing that scene.The character of Harlan (Edward Norton)’s vulnerability makes appealing for us and Tobe but the there was no defined path what next..He becomes his self image when he is in the apartment and he writes letter to his friend,and enacts Robert De Niero.We also easily get attracted by the Hat which wears through out the movie.

When Tobe and Harlan separate out because of her Dad the movie was left with only choice to make it a crime movie,because it had left the hopes of love which was well shot in the beginning.The end becomes manipulative at a point when he leaves with Loonie but it was neither impressive nor touching.What else can you write on a movie which was disappointing from my Favourite actor.Main thing was the intensity of Edward Norton was missing in a great way.