Gone Direct-to-DVD: December 2008
By Robert Sims, Special to Hollywood.com
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
3. Beautiful Ohio
Cast: William Hurt, Rita Wilson, Michelle Trachtenberg, Brett Davern, David Call, Julianna Margulies
The Verdict: Chad Lowe knows what it’s like to live in the shadow of an accomplished older brother. So it’s fitting that his directorial debut is an eloquent exploration of sibling rivalry. Lowe clearly identifies with William Messerman (Davern), a well-adjusted high-school student who fights for the attention of parents Hurt and Wilson. They’re preoccupied with David (Call), a space cadet of a math protégé. The affable Davern makes it easy to cheer on William’s efforts to come into his own. Oddly, though, Lowe neglects to examine the ramifications of William’s later actions that have a profound and lasting impact on his family. After devoting all this time getting to know the Messermans, it’s disappointing not to see how they respond to such a family crisis.
DVD Features: None.
Stars: 3 out of 5 stars
KEEP READING: See No. 2 ...