A Slipping Down Life

Starring:Guy Pearce, Sara Rue
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Based on the novel by Anne Tyler, "A Slipping Down Life" is the story of the peculiar courtship of an awkward young woman and a charismatic singer/songwriter, and the profound effect that their unlikely relationship has on each other's lives and futures.

Evie Decker (Lili Taylor) is a painfully timid young woman whose monotonous life consists of living with her reclusive widower father (Tom Bower) and working a dead-end job at a rundown amusement park. Evie's quiet existence is shattered when she hears a late-night radio interview with struggling musician named Drumstrings Casey (Guy Pearce). Evie is fascinated with his seductive voice and sultry lyrics and convinces her best friend Violet (Sara Rue) to go with her to the local roadhouse to see him perform. Seeing him in person, Evie becomes even more mesmerized by the handsome and brooding musician.

During one of Drum's shows, Evie's growing infatuation blends into obsession when she becomes so entranced by his singing that she actually cuts his name into her forehead with a piece of glass. She considers this her first step towards taking more control of her life.

The incident brings her to Drum's attention and he and his manager David Elliot (John Hawkes) decide to use her as a marketing gimmick at future shows. Evie's total faith in Drum's talent inspires and intrigues him while her role as his "muse" imparts Evie with uncharacteristic self-assurance.

The physical attraction between Evie and Drum increases as their emotional need for one another becomes more and more apparent. The inspiration they find together to break out from the confines of low expectations and the ordinariness of small town life begins to conflict with the pursuit of their individual dreams. Together or apart they must decide which path will lead to the fulfillment of their newfound strength.

System Requirements:

Running Time: 109 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE
Amazon.com
Guy Pearce (Memento) and Lili Taylor (Six Feet Under) prove inspired casting for this otherwise mixed adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel. Taylor is Evie, a shy young woman stuck in a dead-end job (she wears a rabbit costume at a kiddie park) and living with her withdrawn father (Tom Bower). Something leaps to life in Evie when she hears the music of local wannabe rock star "Drum" Casey (Pearce), and she begins to live for his success--not as a groupie, but as a deeply stirred convert who even carves his name in her forehead. The two join over a mutual sense of mission and even marry, but as soon as the wildness in Evie's heart is tempered, Drum's self-doubt goes through the roof. Actress Toni Kalem (Sister Act) makes her directorial debut and, while she does an exceptional job shaping performances, the film is distractingly busy and weak in structure. --Tom Keogh

Average customer rating:

Love, Love, LOVE This Movie!
Another Indie Gem
Guy Pearce is great ...
Unforgettable and inspired, that's for sure...
Strangely Compelling Story With An Amazing Soundtrack

A Slipping Down Life
Starring: Marshall Bell , Tom Bower , Veronica Cartwright , Irma P. Hall , and John Hawkes
Director: Toni Kalem
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002S94AM
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Product Description

Based on the novel by Anne Tyler, "A Slipping Down Life" is the story of the peculiar courtship of an awkward young woman and a charismatic singer/songwriter, and the profound effect that their unlikely relationship has on each other's lives and futures.

Evie Decker (Lili Taylor) is a painfully timid young woman whose monotonous life consists of living with her reclusive widower father (Tom Bower) and working a dead-end job at a rundown amusement park. Evie's quiet existence is shattered when she hears a late-night radio interview with struggling musician named Drumstrings Casey (Guy Pearce). Evie is fascinated with his seductive voice and sultry lyrics and convinces her best friend Violet (Sara Rue) to go with her to the local roadhouse to see him perform. Seeing him in person, Evie becomes even more mesmerized by the handsome and brooding musician.

During one of Drum's shows, Evie's growing infatuation blends into obsession when she becomes so entranced by his singing that she actually cuts his name into her forehead with a piece of glass. She considers this her first step towards taking more control of her life.

The incident brings her to Drum's attention and he and his manager David Elliot (John Hawkes) decide to use her as a marketing gimmick at future shows. Evie's total faith in Drum's talent inspires and intrigues him while her role as his "muse" imparts Evie with uncharacteristic self-assurance.

The physical attraction between Evie and Drum increases as their emotional need for one another becomes more and more apparent. The inspiration they find together to break out from the confines of low expectations and the ordinariness of small town life begins to conflict with the pursuit of their individual dreams. Together or apart they must decide which path will lead to the fulfillment of their newfound strength.

System Requirements:

Running Time: 109 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Guy Pearce (Memento) and Lili Taylor (Six Feet Under) prove inspired casting for this otherwise mixed adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel. Taylor is Evie, a shy young woman stuck in a dead-end job (she wears a rabbit costume at a kiddie park) and living with her withdrawn father (Tom Bower). Something leaps to life in Evie when she hears the music of local wannabe rock star "Drum" Casey (Pearce), and she begins to live for his success--not as a groupie, but as a deeply stirred convert who even carves his name in her forehead. The two join over a mutual sense of mission and even marry, but as soon as the wildness in Evie's heart is tempered, Drum's self-doubt goes through the roof. Actress Toni Kalem (Sister Act) makes her directorial debut and, while she does an exceptional job shaping performances, the film is distractingly busy and weak in structure. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Love, Love, LOVE This Movie!.......2007-02-25

This is one of those movies that you can watch again and again and never get tired of. Guy Pearce is dreamy, and Lili Taylor is amazing as always. A feel-good work of art.

Another Indie Gem.......2007-01-13

As usual, the uniquely beautiful Lili Taylor is cast as a plain, inhibited woman and once again, she takes a role that must have seemed fairly bland on paper and fills it with what starts as a bud and becomes a bloom. She portrays a child-woman without much hope and a delicate psyche.
Guy Pearce once again shows his versitility by portraying a talented singer whose career is stagnant due mostly to his Dylanesque monologues. He's the epiomy of the misunderstood artist, who has so much to say but no one cares to hear it.
Lili Taylor is the perfect mix of subtle and shocking, while on her road to an improbable life with Pearce. I found the scenes between her and her father very touching, as well. While waiting for the tragic outcome that seems inevitable, the movie unfolds so much like life. Slowly; two steps forward, one step back.
I was left unexplainably moved by the movie. Somewhere in the middle, it grabs your emotions without you even being aware of it. You really CARE what becomes of these two different yet equally lost people, and the end, while realistic, doesn't dissapoint.

Guy Pearce is great ..........2007-01-12

... and so is the rest of the cast, especially Shawnee Smith. I would say it's worth watching this movie just to hear Guy sing. The plot is a bit unbelievable, but it's still enjoyable.

Unforgettable and inspired, that's for sure..........2006-05-29

I really liked this movie on a lot of levels. Incredible acting from EVERYONE --inspired acting from many members of the cast. I liked the WHOLE MOVIE, except for the contact lens scene. Now, I have to read the book!

Strangely Compelling Story With An Amazing Soundtrack.......2006-04-18

Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce are totally convincing as two eccentric characters struggling with loneliness and longing for a different life than their sleepy Southern town has offered them so far.

A few interesting plot twists and amazing music make up for the areas where the film falters. The supporting characters are a bit cliched and the framework wasn't always fully laid down for the viewer to understand the character's motivations.

However, I do feel this film is underappreciated. Pearce and Taylor's realization of these characters surpasses the minor flaws. Guy Pearce manages a Jim Morrison-esque sexiness and impressive vocals in the musical sequences. I also highly recommend the Soundtrack album for this film.

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