# Anywhere But Here (1999)

### reviewed by
Greg King

ANYWHERE BUT HERE (M). (Twentieth Century Fox) Director: Wayne Wang Stars: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Shawn Hatosy, Hart Bochner, Bonnie Bedelia, Roy Baker, Paul Guilfoyle, Eileen Ryan Running time: 116 minutes.

Anywhere But Here charts the tempestuous but often moving and complex relationship that exists between mothers and daughters. This is similar to territory that director Wayne Wang (Smoke, Blue In The Face, etc) previously explored in The Joy Luck Club. While that film was shaped by more specific cultural and ethnic overtones and the weight of historical antecedents, Anywhere But Here is a more contemporary tale. This is the kind of rich emotional territory that has become the preserve of American independent cinema, but here it is given the lavish, big budget treatment. Thanks to a perceptive script from Oscar winner Alvin Sargent (Julia, Ordinary People, etc), the film also looks at the dilemmas of adolescence - divorce, moving home and making a new start, first love, the loss of close friends, and a troubled relationship with interfering mothers - with broad humour, warmth, honesty, and surprising flashes of insight.

Bored with the pace of life and lack of opportunities in small town Bay City, Wisconsin, flighty Adele August (Susan Sarandon) packs her bags and young teenage daughter Ann (Natalie Portman, recently seen in The Phantom Menace) into her second hand Mercedes and heads off for Beverley Hills and a more exciting life. Ann however is annoyed at being uprooted so abruptly from her friends and family, and resists her new life with a passion. Meanwhile, the ambitious Adele tries to adjust, making the most of the slender opportunities that come her way.

The film spans a couple of years and explores the difficult relationship that exists between the pair as they try to redefine themselves and their new life in a strange city. This gives the film something of an episodic feel, and Wang's direction is occasionally a little languid.

At the root of their turbulent relationship are some very real fears and emotional issues that need to be resolved. Adele is rather vulnerable and mostly fears the loneliness she will feel when Ann grows up and eventually leaves her. Ann on the other hand is often embarrassed by her mother's overbearing behaviour and erratic ways. She constantly swears that she hates Adele and that she will leave her, but lacks the courage and confidence to do so.

The character of Adele is the type of familiar role that Sarandon plays with consummate ease. She delivers a wonderfully brash performance, capturing Adele's recklessness, her optimism and her deep love for her daughter. Sarandon is matched every step of the way by the superb Portman, who seems to grow in stature and maturity with every film, and again proves why she is one of the best actresses of her generation. Wang largely wastes the talents of an impressive ensemble supporting cast, that includes Bonnie Bedelia and Shawn Hatosy, in small roles.

Anywhere But Here is an unashamed weepy and a good old fashioned "woman's film" in the mould of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, etc, and will mainly resonate with modern female audiences.

    ***
    greg king
    http://www.netau.com.au/gregking

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