Amazon.com: There are three unforgettable characters in John Sayles's contemporary adventure-drama set in Alaska. They are never seen but live only in a frontier diary found by teenager Noelle De Angelo (Vanessa Martinez). The life of the diary's narrator is much like everything in this movie: hanging in limbo. The first half of the film focuses on why men and woman turn to Alaska, a land still ripe with opportunity. A small town is at a crossroads, with its pulp mill and canning factory closed and new investors seeing different directions in which to take the area (one even boasts the state is the ultimate theme park). A local (Sayles regular David Strathairn) is just escaping his past, taking up commercial fishing again. He attracts a traveling nightclub singer (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in her best role in years) who struggles daily with her daughter Noelle. Like any good theme park, Limbo presents the threesome with an unexpected adventure. In the wilderness, the three relative strangers learn more about themselves than was ever possible in town. Sayles's usual craftsmanship creates a singular blend of drama and suspense with an ending designed to ruffle feathers. Not as accessible as his breakthrough hit Lone Star, Limbo is nevertheless a hearty film from one of America's best storytellers. --Doug Thomas
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Another John Sayles Gem
God love and protect John Sayles. Not because he hits every ball out of the park, because he clearly doesn't; but because he never lets his few strikeouts compel him to try to hit a five-run homer the ... Read More
Rating: - Powerful and emotional movie
Some have dissed the ending, finding it unsatisfying, but in my opinion, that's exactly what John Sayles wanted to accomplish with this ending, IMO.
The people gave in to the situation and ... Read More
Rating: - Well-acted character driven drama (loved the ending)
I just saw this again (3rd or 4th time) after finding it on HBO. I once owned the videotape until I upgraded.
David Strathairn as Joe Gastineau is laconic, stoic, but still emotional. His character ... Read More
Rating: - Neither Heaven or Hell...wish it would have been either!
"Limbo"....not Heaven, and not Hell, but somewhere in the lifeless in-between....waiting....for what?
That is how John Sayle's "Limbo" comes to the screen with majestic rivers and mountains of Alaska, ... Read More
Rating: - Make up your own ending
I got interested in this movie and had to finish it. Good actors, good acting, good story and sympathetic characters. I had to finish this movie just to see these poor people rescued from that bone-chilling cold. ... Read More
- Another John Sayles Gem
- Neither Heaven or Hell...wish it would have been either!
- Make up your own ending