The United States of Leland (2003) User Reviews (110)

Inspiring movie...

[Gunz-2 · 8/10 · 24 July 2005]

Don't let any reviews (critics, IMDb users or mine) influence you seeing this movie. I read only the plot premise and became intrigued. After watching, this movie, in my opinion, is definitely worth seeing. It gives a perspective on life that many have probably not contemplated. Its is not however, as Leland himself says, a movie that "can be wrapped up in a neat package with a bow and everything." Other user reviews on this website claim to have a psychological background and imply that the story is not feasible. Quite obviously they missed the entire point of the movie, which is disappointing. to say the least.

In short, it is a well acted, well directed movie. The story is not a feel good one, but I feel if you don't come away from the movie feeling good, you may just have missed something. To characterize it as "art house" is unfair, in my opinion, but as our society likes labels, this is probably the one that fits. If you find you know everything there is to know about the world... I'd suggest skipping this one. If you feel movies should be a form of escape "from the world"... you won't find it here. But if you do watch it... you just might find something in yourself.

Original and thought provoking

[dfranzen70 · 8/10 · 12 March 2005]

Leland P. Fitzgerald (Ryan Gosling) has committed an unspeakable crime, the stabbing of the retarded younger brother of his ex-girlfriend Becky (Jena Malone). No one, least of all Leland himself, can explain why he's done what he's done, whether the act was premeditated or spontaneous, done out of hatred or love.

In the detention center, Leland meets Pearl Madison (Don Cheadle), a onetime novel writer who sees in Leland's case a second opportunity. But Pearl also wants to understand Leland's motivation and takes him under his wing as a confidante in the prison.

The film jumps from the past to the present several times, often allowing the past to act as a context to the present, and vice versa. Writer/director Matthew Ryan Hodge shows how Leland's crime - and the events leading up to it - affect the people in his life, from Becky to her family to Leland's mother (Lena Olin) and estranged father (Kevin Spacey) to Allen (Chris Klein), a young man who is staying with Becky's family after the death of his own mother.

The chief asset in the movie is Gosling, who is perfectly cast as the 15-year-old pseudopsychopath. Like Bartleby the Scrivener, Gosling's Leland just exists; he shows little emotion during the film, but instead his expressions belie an ocean of guilt, sadness, love, and rage.

Each of the main actors offered perhaps their best work to date, save Spacey (who's not exactly a novice). Special praise is due to Malone and Klein, two young performers who are better known for lighthearted comedy fare than the heavy drama of this movie.

Another huge benefit in terms of the story is that none of the characters is flawless; none are heroes out to save the day. This is simply not a black-and-white movie.

Let it draw you in

[Twisted_Utopia · 8/10 · 5 February 2006]

There are subtleties in this film that I think a lot of people may miss if they're not careful. You really need to follow what Leland says and read his character to figure out the intended "why" the movie presents at the end. Nothing it solid, it's not definite, it's about what the individual viewer takes out of it. I think that was the plan from the get-go, people aren't meant to all understand it in the same way, it's almost about forming your own personal relationship with Leland in order to maybe feel him a little better.

The storyline is interesting but its summary could never explain what the movie really is. It's dramatic and thought provoking, a lot of heavy ideas, but the pace of the movie is almost soothing, even with its more intense scenes with yelling. I think it's probably Leland, he's just calm and almost serene, even for all of his sadness. The movie personifies Leland in a way.

Of course it is captivating and draws you in if you let it, but there are some recycled ideas. I mean, Leland has a lot of impressive dialogue, he is anything but typical, but he's not a prophet. Everything he says is not a revelation, many people I know have mentioned things he mentioned, even I have observed a few things he's observed. Leland is the unique and attractive character he is probably mostly for Ryan Gosling's portrayal.

In the end the acting is all exceptional, there are no real bad guys, there is no way to psychologically evaluate Leland, only to maybe understand him and life a little better.

Comparable to Igby Goes Down I think, not comedic, but similar in its general outlook on life.

Disunited states of Matthew Ryan Hoge

[Chris Knipp · 16 April 2004]

It's interesting to contrast Ryan Gosling's brilliant performance as the terrifyingly smart, aggressive, and articulate Jewish Nazi skinhead Danny Balint in Henry Bean's `The Believer' with his characterization of Leland P. Fitzgerald, the sweet, confused middle class child of detached, alienated American whiteness who's murdered an autistic kid in `The United States of Leland.' And this is probably the only reason to see this new movie. The roles are polar opposites, which must have attracted a young actor as talented and adventurous as Gosling. But the movie is a muddle and so, inevitably, is Gosling's Leland. The best actor in the world couldn't make sense out of Matthew Ryan Hoge's sappy, disorganized writing and unsure direction.

This is a movie that never decides where it's going and never develops a pulse. It's ill conceived in a whole list of ways. Leland is in special custody for committing this terrible, inexplicable crime – which his fellow inmates consider so evil they call him `Devil Boy.' Yet he is portrayed as a young philosopher, a mild-mannered (if potentially lethal) Holden Caulfield. The disconnect is never explained. The movie purports to be exploring Leland's motives for the killing but it never finds any.

The tension is diffused by telling the story out of order with intercut scenes that build up our knowledge of subsidiary characters like Leland's mean, famous writer father (Kevin Spacey), his mother (Lena Olin), his girlfriend Becky (Jena Malone) ), his girlfriend's little brother and sister and parents, a young guy who lives with them (Chris Klein) and. . . and. . . Hoge doesn't know where to stop.

These subplots weaken all the characterizations, not just the central one, and they rob the movie of any point. Hoge is so interested in the career and love problems of Leland's prison teacher and would-be biographer, Pearl (Don Cheadle), in Leland's nasty, remote dad, in the dilemma of Chris Klein's character, and in Leland's girlfriend's drug issues, that the mystery of Leland and his crime never gets plumbed, even if Hoge knew how to do that, which he doesn't seem to.

Is Leland some kind of perverted saint, or just a mild-mannered psychopath? We never find out. All we know is he has come to look on the world as very sad, and that's the best explanation we get for the crime: he wanted to save the little boy from sorrow.

At one point confused, vague flashbacks about trips when Leland was supposed to visit his father in Paris but wound up in New York reveal yet another subplot as he's semi-adopted by a well off Manhattan family.

This all seems either ludicrous or crazy. If it strikes you as sensitive and deep, maybe you'd better check your own pulse.

Autism advocates are up in arms at the suggestion that Leland's killing of an autistic boy might be merciful, but this is not a portrait of the autistic boy -- who's only glimpsed a few times, or of the crime (ditto). What's even more reprehensible than the slighting of the boy is the suggestion that murder might be seen merely as an expression of teenage angst. The thinking behind this movie doesn't bear looking into, and if you want to demonstrate against every badly written film you're going to be awfully busy.

Another interesting contrast is to compare "The United States of Leland" with Jordan Melamed's `Manic,' where Don Cheadle plays a very similar role as a psychiatrist dealing with a disturbed youth named Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who's killed a child in a fit of rage. `Manic' depicts in concrete terms where Lyle's rage comes from. We understand the rage is going to be a lifelong problem, but that with luck he may learn to tame it. There's no nonsense about the sorrow of the world and there aren't a lot of confusing subplots. `Manic," in fact, may be almost too simple, but it fairly bristles with powerful, authentic emotion. The story moves forward with intensity and the performances really sing.

Gosling doesn't shake our faith in his skill as an actor, and Cheadle, Klein, Spacey, and the other principals all do respectable, occasionally fine work, but they can't compensate for how badly this movie is conceived, written, and edited.

Leland of the US of America

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 14 December 2005]

One wonders about the state of a society that produce a father like Albert T. Fitzgerald, who we first meet on a plane, as he is heading toward the place he abandoned a long time ago, and where he left a wife and a child who is now accused of murdering a mentally challenged boy. When we first see him, he has caught a headline in the paper the woman in front of him is reading. Rather rudely, he asks her if he could have the newspaper, and the lady offers other sections. Well, that's not what he asked, what he wants the woman to do, is to give him the front section she is reading.

Matthew Ryan Hoge wrote and directed this disturbing film that reflects, in many ways, our society as it is today. In fact, Mr. Hoge is pointing out exactly at what is wrong with it.

The film presents Leland, a teen ager who can't even differentiate between fantasy and reality. It's evident that killing a human being, even the sweet and innocent boy who hasn't done anything to deserve it, will have fatal consequences, not only for himself, but for his own family, and the family of the slain boy. In fact, Leland seems to have no idea about what motivated him to commit the crime for he does not show any repentance about it.

It's obvious Leland has been traumatized by his parents divorce. His own father is an aloof man who couldn't care less about him. It's Pearl, the teacher in the juvenile detention center who sees the turmoil inside the young man and wants to help, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a chance.

The best thing in the film is Don Cheadle, a great actor who always delivers. The ensemble cast does good work under Mr. Hoge's direction. Kevin Spacey has a good opportunity playing the egotistical father of the accused murderer and makes us detest him for being an arrogant idiot.

Although a bit long, the film leaves us with more questions than what it answered.

Good acting; flawed story/psychology; not a total loss

[Bob Pr. · 7/10 · 13 May 2004]

The title comes from an alteration an adolescent inmate in a correctional facility makes on the front cover of his school book on government, titled "The United States;" he adds "of (his name)."

Many characterizations in this movie work well -- the scenes between Leland (Ryan Gosling) and Becky (Jena Malone), Pearl (Don Cheadle) and father Fitzgerald (Spacey) as well as with Leland, Becky and sister Julie (Michelle Williams), among many others.

But the central thread of this movie -- the fulcrum on which everything hangs -- is the character and motives of Leland. He's a somewhat shy, passive, nice high school student who daringly introduces himself to Becky whom (we find) is going to an alternative school because of a past history of drug problems. In Becky's family, she has a sister, Julie, who's just graduating from high school and preparing to go on to college; Julie's boy friend, Julie's age (and whose parents' had recently died) is also living with them.

Leland lives with his mother; his father (Kevin Spacey) and mother have long been divorced and his father is a famous novelist. Leland is very perceptive. The young boy in "The Sixth Sense" saw dead people; Leland sees teenage lovers and recognizes that years later they will divorce, that pain is going to follow many people's present experience of happiness. BUT, for reasons that are never made explicit, his prescient gift seems to operate some times, for some people, some relationships, and not for others. ???

Parts of the movie feel a bit like a derivative quilt -- borrowing from "American Beauty," "The Sixth Sense," "The Graduate," and possibly some others I didn't recognize. That wouldn't be bad if only the character of Leland worked.

I think Gosling did a great job of playing Leland but the script and the story imposed limitations. Would such an observant, meditative young man ever be homicidal? Even for altruistic reasons? Nothing in the film gives a reason for this. I'm a retired therapist with much experience working with families and teenagers; while many of the reactions shown in the film work -- this part, this most essential element certainly does not.

And there is at least one other element which, in my experience, would not fit with real life although it's not as critical. The reason for the differences between the sisters, Becky and Julie, are never hinted at but that's okay. Once two sibs begin occupying different roles (one the all good girl, the other the troubled one), the roles themselves can begin driving each other to more extreme positions. For the troubled one, Becky, it's kind of, "what do I have to do to be loved around here -- give up being me and become Julie?" And the pressure to live up to being the All-Good, parent-pleasing child, is no less intense on Julie. So, why would she break up with her boy friend of long-standing and of whom her parents so obviously approve?

Don Cheadle was good as Leland's teacher; all others were good in their parts. 98% of the scenes were good. What was missing was that crucial slip in understanding human nature.

Good acting; flawed story and psychology; worth seeing; not a total loss.

Depressive and Interesting Study of a Character

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 28 February 2006]

After stabbing a retarded boy, the fifteen years old troubled and pessimist Leland P. Fitzgerald (Ryan Gosling) is sent to a juvenile detention. His teacher and aspirant writer Pearl Madison (Don Cheadle) gets close and tries to understand him, first with intention of writing a book, and later becoming his friend. Leland slowly discloses his sad vision of world, showing that he is a sociopath.

"The United States of Leland" is a depressive and interesting study of a character. The low paced riveting screenplay discloses pieces of the story like a puzzle; there are excellent lines and dialogs; the performances are great, although the twenty-three years old Ryan Gosling does not convince as a fifteen years old teenager; but it seems that a part is missing to complete the puzzle and make "The United States of Leland" an unforgettable movie. The disappointing clarification of the "why" for the violent action of Leland against Ryan Pollard is not convincing or touching, indeed shows that this character is a totally deranged sociopath with a weird and sick sight of world. Further, the way Allen Harris gets Pearl's knife is ridiculous. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Mundo de Leland" ("The World of Leland")

An extremely moving, touching, thought-provoking movie

[Macadamian-Nut · 9/10 · 7 November 2004]

Leland Fitzgerald (Ryan Gosling) is sent to jail for the murder of an autistic kid. When pressured with the question 'Why?' he doesn't have an answer. While in jail he meets Pearl (Don Cheadle), his teacher, who decides to take matters into his own hands and helps Leland figure out why he did it. Throughout this film we learn all about Leland's troubled life, including his ex-girlfriend Becky(Jena Malone), his famous father Albert(Kevin Spacey)and his whole sad life.

This film is Matthew Ryan Hoge's second movie, and it is spectacular in nearly everyway. This is one movie which will leave you thinking in the end, and wondering about how it all works. The movie is quite dark, but if you can handle that then you will realize just how good a film it is.

In this movie, there is no bad guy. There is no one you can blame for anything that happens. There's no stereotyping, and the audience does not try to prove Leland guilty. Instead, we sit back, relax, and watch this boy's life unfold throughout the corse of the movie. All the problems depicted in the story are very real. Drug addiction, parental expectations, overwhelming sadness; they all exist in our world.

Ryan Gosling gives one of the greatest performances of his career in this movie, as the depressed teenager Leland. His father lives in Europe and doesn't really care much about his son. The only person he loves is Becky, but she has problems of her own. He knows exactly what he did, but as he says in the film, 'You want a why, but maybe there isn't one. Maybe this is something that just happened.' There is a why, but we don't find out about it until the end. As you watch the movie, the audience finds themselves amazed that such a young person could know so much about the world. Leland notices things that people tend to ignore.

A particular thought-provoking scene which really affected me was during one of Leland's conversations with Pearl. Pearl just cheated on his wife and when Leland asks why, Pearl replies that he's only human. Then Leland says something which never really occurs to anyone: "Why do people only say that when they've done something wrong?"

Another fantastic acting job was provided by Chris Klein. In the film he plays Allen Harris, the boyfriend of Becky's sister Julie (Michelle Williams). Although he is not one of the main characters, I found myself amazed at how deep his character was. You can relate to Allen a lot. You know how much he cares for the Pollard family. It's as if they were his own flesh and blood. By the end of the movie, you realize just how far he would go to help them.

Overall, this movie is a masterpiece which has been overlooked by quite a few people. If, however, you take the time to watch it, you will most likely see that everything I've mentioned above is true. And once you're finished watching it, you'll never look at the world the same way again.

9.5/10

Divided it fails

[majikstl · 6/10 · 4 December 2007]

Leland in this case is Leland P. Fitzgerald. As played with a certain beyond-his-years solemness by Ryan Gosling, Leland is a high school loner with a nondescript divorced mother (Lena Olin) and a globe-trotting absentee father (Kevin Spacey), who, as a famed novelist, seems as equally proud of being considered a bastard as he is of being considered a genius. Though from a privileged family that is somewhat less than perfect, Leland seems to be a really nice sixteen-year-old. But, as THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND eventually gets around to making clear, it seems that Leland, despite having a gentle and quiet soul, has violently and inexplicably murdered a mentally impaired teenage boy, who also happened to be the younger brother of the girl Leland had been seeing. The question -- as Leland redundantly points out -- is "why?" The answer which seems apparent as the story ultimately unfolds is that the hapless and despondent Leland sees himself in the young autistic boy and the act is a form of suicide. He assumes that Ryan feels the same emptiness, isolation and worthlessness and therefore would be better off dead, but the one Leland really wanted to see die was Leland. It doesn't take a Freud to piece this together, though the film never quite gets around to finding this conclusion as writer-director Matthew Ryan Hoge is too busy dissecting the concept to the American family and chopping the institution into jagged, disconnected little pieces.

Despite a title that promises unity and a storyline that seems to be seeking honesty, understanding and forgiveness, LELAND -- as is the way of most modern drama seeking "truth" -- gives way to predictable cynicism and a frustrating lack of insight. Unity is the last thing the film seeks, instead giving us glimpses of people and families in various states of disintegration. Most specifically, the Pollards, the family of the young boy that Leland murders. The film introduces the Pollard family piecemeal, taking its time to establish that the various characters are even related at all. There is a suggestion that they are a typical upper-middle-class suburban family, but by the end the feeling is that they are little more than related strangers living in the same house. Rather that having a death in the family bring them together, it only seems to weaken their tenuous bonds further. I suppose that this is meant to parallel the lack of closeness in Leland's family, but the result only creates an emotional vacuum. The film's message, if indeed it has one, is that family is an illusion -- at least in contemporary America.

But the story's chief aim is get viewers to pity poor Leland -- and thanks to Gosling's lowkey performance the character is certainly ingratiating enough. But the film tries to convince us that the real victim here is not the kid he killed, but Leland himself, that Leland is so very, very special that his facing judgement for his crime is somehow unjust. To this end, the film dishonestly downplays not just the crime, but the true victim; granting young Ryan Pollard (Michael Welch) little screen time to either be recognized as a character or to garner viewer sympathy. Perhaps the intent was to show how life has marginalized Ryan because he is autisitic (that's how Leland sees him), but in all likelihood, the filmmakers just didn't want Ryan competing with Leland for sympathy, because Leland would surely lose. But trivializing the younger boy's importance in the story backfires; by refusing to create anything more than vague parallels between the boys, the film denies the only logic that would give it any depth. THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND is a well acted and superficially well directed, but like Leland P. Fitzgerald, it is strangely unemotional, cold and empty.

The critics failed to grasp the meaning of this one

[Tecun_Uman · 10/10 · 2 January 2007]

I was looking at the external reviews (Ebert, etc.) for this film and they were all pretty much negative. However, after reading many of them, I noticed that they all made the same point. Critics were upset that the film centers around what appears to be a senseless murder of an autistic child. Certainly, this is a disturbing image. Critics like Ebert want a traditional detective story that uncovers why the killing happened and squarely places blame on the guilty. They want blame to be cast and resolved. Well, that status-quo theme is kind of what the movie is parodying. Just like society, the critics wanted a very quick resolution so they could move on to their next tragic opera. Perhaps there is no simple question to be answered here? There is a whole lot more to what happened then what is on the surface. The film does not seek to rationalize what happens, but rather understand the why. What also steams me so much about these inane reviews is that all they look at in the way of performances is Spacey and Cheadle, who were both great (and generally are). But there are other great performances at work here other than just the two current icons of Hollywood. Gosling gives an incredible performance that really only somebody of his extreme talent could deliver. Somehow, Gosling is able to make the killer of an autistic child sympathetic. This irritates many, I am sure. However, if one watches the film, they see what Leeland's motivation is, it is wrong, but it is not evil. Malone is also on top of her game as yet another confused young character. Basically, the killing of the child in this film is not the main theme of the movie. The main theme is life itself and how people go about dealing with it, the highs and lows, and how they attempt to sometimes help others deal with their lives (which does not seem to work out very well). There is a lot of good and bad in this world and how we handle each has direct impact on how much more good and bad will take place, and sometimes a confused attempt at doing good, can lead to a whole bunch more of bad. I think this is one of the more memorable films in sometime and has an ending that is as touching as anything in recent movie history. I strongly believe people should view this film, with an open mind.

Unsimple. Worth the time.

[rkhen · 7/10 · 3 May 2020]

A movie like this is bound to annoy the posers, and this one has. In a word, it's not an easy film. You're not going to get any comfortable tropes. The good guys are normal. The bad guys are normal. Everybody's complex, conflicted, hypocritical, and often right.

I especially appreciated Pearl, the reformatory teacher played by Don Cheadle. He's all of those things, and Cheadle does a great job portraying a guy who's sometimes right and sometimes wrong but when it comes down to brass tacks, has a conscience. Sometimes in spite of himself.

Just like me.

I think it's probably harder to play (or write) a real person than a cartoon character, which may be why there aren't many of those in movies.

I also suspect this is why many critics, including Roger Ebert, for whom I have great respect, decried the "moral muddle" they saw in this movie. You can't really root for anybody. Nor do you hate anybody. (Except maybe the drug dealer.)

Anyway, if you like challenging films, see it. A young, pre-heart throb Ryan Gosling does an excellent job in the lead, and so does Jena Malone as his girlfriend.

I've filed it under "Movies I'm Glad I Watched."

This is not "Just a Movie", unless you want it to be.

[imtchosen1 · 10/10 · 20 March 2005]

I am no Ebert. What I am is a compassionate and I have never felt more compassion for a fictional character than I felt for Leland P. Fitzgerald. Sorry if I do not offer a critique, but I see nothing but perfection in this film. I am sure that many who watch this film will never see the same things I do, but if you look hard enough maybe you will see something you weren't expecting. I've read that the character of Leland was flawed. It seems to me that who wrote this was not able to see past the Question this movie presents. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't see the answers this movie delivers. Open your heart more than your mind and you may be able to let this Leland P. Fitzgerald show you a world that truly has a meaning. Excepcional story with extraordinary acting. Ryan Gosling deserves to be talked about.

The "Whys" Of The World

[fwomp · 6/10 · 13 October 2006]

Why do people do good and bad things? What purpose do they serve? The "why" question is pondered to a fatalistic ending in THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND, starring Ryan Gosling (HALF NELSON) as the emotionally detached Leland P. Fitzgerald.

Leland is introduced to us during a terrible scene in which a young retarded boy lay stabbed to death on a grassy playground. It appears that Leland has had some sort of mental breakdown, as he stabbed the boy and then himself, "just to see what it felt like." But as the movie progresses we see plenty of emotional distance from the other characters, too. Leland's own father Albert (Kevin Spacey, SUPERMAN RETURNS) hasn't had much contact with Leland since he was eight years old. Leland's previous girlfriend Becky (Jena Malone, DONNIE DARKO) zones out by shooting heroin and isolating herself away from her family. Even Leland's mother Marybeth (Lena Olin, CASANOVA) simply slips in and checks on Leland occasionally, only asking if he's "okay" even when it's evident he's not.

The only one interested in Leland turns out to be a teacher at the prison where he's held after the murder. But even the teacher, Mr. Pearl Madison (Don Cheadle, HOTEL RWANDA), is only occupied with Leland as a way to break out of his writing slump (he's a would-be author with serious blockage problems).

Leland questions the "why" of everything around him, and it's an interesting message that gets pulled from the film. Why is it you're considered "only human" when you do something wrong and not something right? Like pulling a little kid from a burning building. Why don't we show emotions in equal measure when someone dies? These are tough questions that trickle out of the film.

The downside is that the movie doesn't give us a good reason for Cheadle's character to be enraptured with Leland so early and so quickly (considering that's a large portion of the film, it's pretty significant). And most viewers won't like the incredibly slow pace, as well as the occasionally stilted line delivery. But that's it.

The cast is excellent, from Spacey's spacey father to the embittered and lost Malone, the characters were fairly riveting to watch, even though all that happens is some intense dialogue throughout.

In the end, it'll all depend on your expectations and mindset. If you're expecting something that moves along at a good clip, forget it. If you're in the mood for action, blood, and fights, don't even think about it. But if you're ready for some deep contemplation, The United States of Leland is right up your alley.

A bad hair day for the middle classes

[PaulLondon · 5/10 · 13 March 2006]

Despite tackling such weighty subjects as murder, drug addiction and depression 'United States of Leland' manages to have all the pain of a TV movie about a slight weight fluctuation. The problem does not lay with the excellent cast but with the fact that they don't have anything to do other than look miserable and spout some portentous dialogue now and then.

The film is about the travails of the dysfunctional middle class and is aimed squarely at the self same middle-class, but this isn't a mirror to reflect their complacency, merely a gentle panacea so they can congratulate themselves if they haven't had to deal with this many problems in their lives and nod concernedly as the wonderful Anne Magnuson looks a bit miserable at her son's funeral.

Maybe the director wanted everyone to seem as though they were just drifting through life unable to feel a thing, but I, for one, wanted one of the characters to let rip like Kevin Kline at the end of The Ice Storm when all the pain and rage pours out of him in a drunken moment of despair and pain. All the way through the film I was waiting for the bland exterior to be ripped away to reveal the raw beating heart of the movie but this, alas, is never to happen. Even prison isn't too bad in this film - just an inconvenience which means that the characters can't get to feel the sun of their faces as much as they'd like. The director never manages to convey that the characters are repressing their feelings nor that they are really suffering, they just stoically trudge around in their designer gear looking a bit put upon.

The United States of Leland is directed with all the drama of a headache advert ; sure Jena Malone's hair goes a bit lank and stringy every time she has some heroin but that little fashion crisis is about as much insight into her suffering as we ever get. Ryan Gosling wanders around and makes a few vaguely poetic statements about strawberries and it isn't until the very end of the film that the viewer begins to understand what led to his actions and by then I , for one, was just about beyond caring.

The United States Of Leland is a film that promises much but never delivers. It wears its class on its sleeve and the presence of such a good cast seems to be all the justification it needs to exist. This isn't a BAD film as much as it is a lazy film; a quasi-poetic study of depression and sadness without any real feeling

Making Inexplicable Violence Explicable

[noralee · 17 April 2004]

Ryan Gosling's career is worth watching as a talented young hunk eschewing the usual teen flicks.

Much like his excellent performance in "The Slaughter Rule" was a seamy take on the usual high school athlete movie, "The United States of Leland" is much more a meditation on inexplicable violence in post-Columbine American suburbia than his Leopold-and-Loeb type killer in the Hollywood "Murder By Numbers."

Same kudos to Michelle Williams, who post-"Dawson's Creek" has been building up theater and indie movie cred, even if no way do she and Jena Malone seem like sisters.

Altogether, writer/director Matthew Ryan Hoge has assembled a superb ensemble--Kevin Spacey's chillingly effective acerbic dad is a small role that plays on his own visible fame but he's also listed as a producer-- for what is basically a very American take on an Eric Rohmer-like talk fest. But whereas in French movies the talk is intellectual socializing, here it's like therapy that gradually reveals each character's truths, hidden feelings, and past and present emotional and physical abuse and exploitation.

Here, good guys (particularly Don Cheadle, in a performance that grippingly centers the film, and Chris Klein's character, who at first seems out of the TV show "7th Heaven") commit bad acts for bad motives, a contemptible character can do a right thing for despicable reasons, and others can have very mixed motives and actions, in very individual responses to a horrific act of violence.

The directing is a bit pedestrian, basically going in for close-ups in the monologues, but the power of the story and the revelations carry the movie forward despite some lags.

So profound I think I missed the point

[eko_fisk · 6/10 · 24 December 2005]

While this is clearly a very good movie with an excellent performance from Don Cheadle, I actually didn't get what it was all about. I mean, what really happened here? I think the parts were actually bigger than the sum, or something like that. I felt the same way after seeing The Life Of David Gale, and Kevin Spacey was in that too, so if a film has Kevin Spacey in it maybe I should pay more attention. While watching this I also couldn't help but think, "This is Donnie Darko". Some other things that made me think of Donnie Darko, was the gun in in shoebox. That was right out of Donnie Darko. This is a good movie but I liked it the first time i saw it and when it was called Donnie Darko

Yet another reflection of our society on 35mm

[matjusm · 6/10 · 21 May 2006]

Leland P. Fitzgerald (played by Ryan Gosling) is the alienated child of a distant mother and an absent father (Kevin Spacey). But at the tender age of 15, he commits a senseless murder by stabbing a retarded kid 20 times, an event that shocks his community, affecting both his victim's family and that of his own. After being arrested and imprisoned in a juvenile detention facility, Leland comes in contact with an aspiring writer and prison teacher by the name of Pearl Madison (Don Cheadle). As Madison delves into the reasons behind Leland's actions, he also sees an opportunity for a career-making book, especially since the boy's son is a world renowned author. Catching interest in the boy, he soon becomes his friend and gets a good look at what the United States of Leland is all about. First of all I'd like to say that this isn't the kind of film that I usually watch. Too much focus on the inner worlds of the characters and not enough on story or fancy technical aspects of film-making. But despite that, I found this film quite watchable.

Ryan Gosling does a fine job with the role of Leland. What is interesting to note is that even though he's supposed to be 15 years old in this film, the actor was at the time of filming 22. That is what impressed me the most- how he had managed to be and portray the character he was supposed to be. It seems that even Leland himself doesn't know why he committed the crime. Throughout the film, we get to know him better as it the story jumps back and forth in time from the prison to the time before the murder. At times Leland becomes and almost Hannibal Lecter-like character by making his teacher and interviewer Pearl Madison confront the problems in his own personal life. What annoyed me was how they had made this teenage boy into a know-it-all philosopher giving lessons on life and especially his big moralizing speech at the end. And of course they couldn't have done without the very clichéd having to kill him at the end part. All in all, I have to say that I never cared much for Leland's character. Too confusing, illogical and not very interesting at all.

Don Cheadle does a pretty good job as Pearl Madison, the author and teacher who wavers between wanting to exploit Leland and wanting to really get to know him. At the same time he has some issues in his personal life that he needs to get solved.

The real treat in this film was Kevin Spacey who is also one of my favorite actors. His role as Leland's distant father is small but what we see of him and especially his lines are just pure gold.

The film was directed by a virtual nobody by the name of Matthew Ryan Hoge. This is his second film, the first being a flick by the name of Self Storage. He gives the film a calm pace which lead me to the point that I didn't really care if I finished it or not. The cinematography is nothing to brag about but for a film like this, a subtle approach was more appropriate. What annoyed me was that the version we saw was in that annoying 4:3 aspect ratio. In more simpler terms, it means that there were no black bars at the top and bottom of the screen but no film is shot that way (the aspect ratio for this was 1.85:1) and those black bars are exactly what make a film more cinematic and differentiate it from a TV show.

This is a moderately interesting film but it feels hollow and devoid of content.

Was this an attempt at an American Beauty sequel or prequel?

[Lemos · 6/10 · 11 January 2006]

This movie immediately reminded me of the fantastic Sam Mendes film -American Beauty; that is with regard to it's tone, general feel and pace. In many aspects it shares some common ideas with the above mentioned film, but alas several of the actors including Kevin Spacey, Lena Olin and even Don Cheadle (who seems to be in every ensemble movie nowadays)are a bit of a let down. Comparisons also stop here; I felt let down by the disconnected narrative, the lacking in delving deeeper into the characters depths and a final plot which is just a mere convenience as an end to a means. Disconcertingly overall this film does not stand up to close and careful scrutiny. With a good cast, (all the youngsters are actually quite good with their performances) I felt slightly let down by what could have been a good premise for a great film.

fantastic.

[shoparazzi · 9/10 · 3 September 2004]

I saw this movie the day it was released back in April, and I absolutely loved it. I was blown away, as I always am, by Ryan Gosling's performance. Leland is such an intricate, amazing character that really makes the audience stop and think about their own life and their own actions. When a movie can take you out of your comfort zone and make you really stop and think about the world around you.. that's what I absolutely love. And Leland definitely did that for me. Gosling's performance is eerily touching, and the rest of the cast, including Kevin Spacey, Don Cheadle, and Jena Malone, put on great performances as well.

So please see this movie if you get the chance. [the DVD comes out on September 7th.]

Good troubled youth piece

[orsonkiel · 7/10 · 20 June 2004]

Just saw Matthew Ryan Hoge's The United States of Leland. I must confess that I mostly saw it because of Don Cheadle and Kevin Spacey being in it. Kevin Spacey has since Usual Suspects been one of my favourite actors. OK, he hasn't exactly been toping the charts lately, but he's always doing a solid job from where I'm watching anyway.

From on here there could be some spoilers so, if you're sensitive to that, maybe you should stop reading.

T.U.S.O.L. is about a troubled teenager, Leland, who has committed a horrible crime. He gets sent to juvenile hall where a teacher/writer, played by Cheadle, wants to know more about him. His motives are a little shady, since he wants material for a book. The more he gets to know Leland the less he wants to write the book, as Leland helps the teacher learn things about himself as well. The story kind of centers around the conversations and we're filled in on the life of Leland P. Fitzgerald through flashbacks.

T.U.S.O.L. is a troubled youth piece and if you don't like 'em you're not going to like this one either. It has the strange main character, his strange girlfriend, the stereotypes around them that are the evil/boring world...and so on...However, it is somewhat refreshing in its own quirky ways. I have a hard time really pin pointing what it is, but I guess it is appealing to see someone being unapologetic and instead explanatory.

If you decide to see this one, be prepared for some clichès, but also some wonderful acting and some scenes that engages you.

a must for anyone

[Goosey101 · 8/10 · 22 March 2005]

Before I saw this film, I read the comment of someone who wasn't very fond of it. This I must admit made me apprehensive to dedicate 1 hour and 48 minutes of my life to it, but I'm glad I did. Ryan Gosling is a fantastic actor, I especially loved the Believer. Don Cheadle was also fantastic. The film presented an interesting view on life and death. It was very touching and very sad, yet it kept me interested, which most touching stories cannot do. It is a film that reckless of whether or not you like it, you should see it. It was unique,and I don;t think that anyone will ever be able to duplicate it. All of the young actors did surprisingly well given the subject matter and the emotion that must have gone into it. I was pleasantly surprised.

A wannabe film

[stensson · 6/10 · 15 November 2003]

This is a film which tries to be urgent and Ryan Gosling, as the young murderer of a retarded boy, is convincing. But it's to obvious what you are supposed to think...and feel.

So called independent movies are getting there own agenda that not always surprises. Morality and difficult questions are put in in an increasing order, after so and so many minutes. And it's strange the way America is narrated through Heavy Crime. Even in independent films. There is a disbelief in ordinary life and the life most people live. That's a fact also in "The United States of Leland"

Exceptional acting

[malizma · 10/10 · 5 April 2004]

Every role, down to the smallest, has been cast and acted with bravado.

The extraordinary Jena Malone never takes a misstep. Her two co-stars are equal to her in this film. Ryan Gosling may be the best actor of his generation. Chris Klein gives his best performance to date. This is a thought and conversation provoking film that should be seen by teens and young adults. You'll think and talk about this film for days. Highly recommended.

Enjoyable but a little slow (semi spoiler)

[udeaasykle · 6/10 · 12 July 2004]

I was surprised when I saw the high rating this movie had on imdb.com because I didn't find it that great. First of, I did like it fairly but I found it to be a little slow and long lasting for my taste. This is probably not the best film to watch if you are sitting with your friends on a Friday night ready to enjoy a movie. The story is simple; a guy stabs another guy and kills him for what seems to be without reason. In prison he meats teacher Pearl Madison who is very interested in finding out why Leland did commit this horrible crime. The more they talk with each other the more you realize that Leland is, well I am going to be frank, crazy. That is my opinion though. I will not tell you more about this movie because I want you to make up your own opinion about it. But to sum it all up, it is enjoyable but a little long and slow and filled with odd characters. And by the way, Kevin Spacey is hardly even in the movie although they have put him as one of the main characters. I rate this movie 6/10

Can you say "pretentious"? (*1/2)

[Ronin47 · 3/10 · 8 June 2004]

Every once in a while, an indie comes along that has an awesome cast and a story that sounds really interesting and can't-miss, but the movie sucks. Some recent films belonging to this unfortunate category are "Levity" and "The Safety Of Objects", and now here's "The United States Of Leland".

Said awesome cast includes Ryan Gosling, Kevin Spacey, Don Cheadle, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Michelle Williams, Chris Klein, and Kerry Washington. Gosling plays Leland P. Fitzgerald, the teenage son of a famous author (Spacey) who commits a disturbing and unforgivable crime (murdering a retarded child), but doesn't remember it and doesn't seem to have any sort of motive.

Don Cheadle plays a teacher in juvenile hall who is trying to understand Leland (and also exploit him by writing a book about him), and Jena Malone is his ex-girlfriend. We see their deteriorating relationship (due to her heroin addiction) in flashback. Sounds like an awesome little drama, huh? I thought so, too.

The fact is that this movie is just badly, badly written. The dialogue and narration are painfully pretentious and laden with irritating platitudes about "life", the characters are all two-dimensional indie cliches, and while it does manage to make Leland sympathetic in some ways, it glosses over his crime.

For the most part, there's no problem with the acting. Gosling (who was Oscar-worthy in "The Believer") is a tremendously talented young actor, but the way they're written, none of these characters (least of all Leland) even feel like real people, so there's not much he can do but mumble his ridiculous lines and look sad.

Jena Malone is the most memorable. She has one of the most expressive faces I've ever seen. Even playing an underwritten character in a bad movie like this, she can break your heart with one look. When she's got good material to work with (as in "Donnie Darko" or "The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys"), she's really amazing.

But this is not good material. Maybe after a massive rewrite it could have been something worthwhile, but as it is, "The United States Of Leland" is ponderous, inert, and for a movie that seems in love with how "deep" it is, it's really shallow.