[DVD] Lymelife (2009)

A Martini Bros. Production
Directed by Derick Martini
Starring Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin

Do yourself a favor. Do not overlook this movie. “Lymelife” was only released limited and its DVD run will begin today, September 22. It is a bitter, sweet, dark, poignant, and often funny drama that builds one of the best multiple characters studies since some of Altman’s better work. At 95 minutes, the film feels short but that it ended right on time. Something that we’re not really used to in this genre.

Ostensibly the film is the “coming of age” story of Jimmy Bartlett played note perfect by Kerian Culkin. It takes place at a time where the tick and Lyme Disease scare dominated the lives on many in the late 1970s. The undertones are familiar: Awkward boy has crush on long-time-friend-yet-unattainable girl and also deals with family crisis. But in this case the family crisis plays so much in to the type of person Jimmy is and his actions for one scene to the next. The realism of this built character has a broad depth often missing from cinema.

The film packed with great acting performances. Alec Baldwin plays Mickey Bartlett – a real estate developer preparing to strike it big while the greater money brings greater problems at home. Baldwin is in his groove as a much slimier version of Jack from the great television show “30 Rock.” Rather than being the purveyor of the dramatic moments, his character acts much as the fulcrum that allows other characters their leverage. Jimmy’s older brother is played with amazing spark by his real life older brother Rory Culkin. The brothers on screen dynamic is, as can be expected, genuine and both brothers pull off questionable, touching, and sympathetic moments for their characters with a great sense of timing and the dramatic. Jill Hennessey as Brenda Bartlett rocks out the wife-on-a-precipice character and, while weaving in and out of the main story, her character growth to its eventual maturity is glorious. Emma Roberts as Adrianna Bragg is fun and cute as the blossoming youth of Jimmy’s desire. She really does a very good job in the role, but “Lymelife” is filled with such outstanding performances that her’s gets overshadowed. At very least her character was natural and seamless to the story.

Finally the wild card character is Charlie Bragg (Adianna’s father) portrayed amazingly by Timothy Hutton. The name of the film, “Lymelife” comes from the concern involving Lyme Disease, its spread through ticks, and its mental and physiological effects on the infected. Bragg is the only confirmed case of Lyme Disease in the town and his brief moments on film in the movie are like poignant lances laced with dark humor. Hutton’s small role is a gem.

“Lymelife” is what independent filming is all about. The hook, as written, would not be an easy sale to a big time studio. However the principles involved believed in the project and made the film on a small level. It’s reported that the Culkin brothers and Baldwin were attached to this film for several years and the payoff – for them the stars and us the viewers – was well worth it.

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