Can't say I particularly liked this Jim Jarmush film, mainly because I don't much care for the sort of middle-aged, world-weary cynic Bill Murray here plays to perfection (as he did in Lost in Translation). Indeed, to my mind, one of the reasons Murray is so popular is that he has helped give this jaundiced, negative attitude - so easy to adopt for both young and old - a good name.
Anyway, in this movie Murray is Don Johnston, a successful writer - though of what is hard to imagine - who, on the very morning he finds himself deserted by his current, temporary girlfriend, receives an anonymous letter intimating that he may have a son of nineteen. Encouraged and aided by Winston (Jeffrey Miller), his great friend, family man and lover of detective stories, Don then goes off in search of the four women he thinks could possibly be the mother of this mystery son.
These four women, their differing homes and family/friends provide most of the visual and character interest of the movie. They are given some of the best lines; are ably played by Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton and Frances Conroy; and for me are the best reason to see the film. Though certainly physically marked by his experience, Don appears to finish the movie as emotionally impervious as when he started; and the "open" end of the film - though not uncommon in Europe - may be a little unsettling for an American audience.
As indicated in my review of that film, I prefer Wim Wenders' Don't Come Knocking, which has a superficially similar plot-line; but is warmer, more hopeful and visually interesting.
Anyway, in this movie Murray is Don Johnston, a successful writer - though of what is hard to imagine - who, on the very morning he finds himself deserted by his current, temporary girlfriend, receives an anonymous letter intimating that he may have a son of nineteen. Encouraged and aided by Winston (Jeffrey Miller), his great friend, family man and lover of detective stories, Don then goes off in search of the four women he thinks could possibly be the mother of this mystery son.
These four women, their differing homes and family/friends provide most of the visual and character interest of the movie. They are given some of the best lines; are ably played by Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton and Frances Conroy; and for me are the best reason to see the film. Though certainly physically marked by his experience, Don appears to finish the movie as emotionally impervious as when he started; and the "open" end of the film - though not uncommon in Europe - may be a little unsettling for an American audience.
As indicated in my review of that film, I prefer Wim Wenders' Don't Come Knocking, which has a superficially similar plot-line; but is warmer, more hopeful and visually interesting.