LONESOME JIM

Year: 2005
USA: IFC Films
UK: Lionsgate UK
Cast: Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler, Mary Kay Place, Seymour Cassel, Kevin Corrigan, Jack Rovello, Rachel Strouse, Sarah Strouse, Mark Boone Junior, Jake La Botz, Jude Barger, Pam Angell, Michael Buscemi, Don Strouse, Rick Duplissie, Doug Liechty Caskey
Director: Steve Buscemi
Country: USA
USA & UK: 91 mins
USA Rated: R for language, some sexuality and drug content
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language, moderate sex and soft drug use
USA Release Date: 24 March 2005 (Limited Release - New York)
UK Release Date: 11 April 2008 (Limited Release - London, ICA)
ICA

Synopsis

Jim (Casey Affleck), a selfish, aimless young man, begrudgingly returns to his hometown in rural Indiana after failing to make it as a writer in New York. He soon remembers why he left: a doting but overbearing mother (Mary Kay Place), a distant father (Seymour Cassel), and a depressed older brother (Kevin Corrigan) whose "accidents" seem suspect at best.

Jim is soon forced to take on his brother's duties - working at his parent's factory and helping out with his two rambunctious nieces. Crippled by obligations and anxieties, Jim trudges on though every day monotones and the family's collapse after his mother is mistakenly taken for a suburban drug smuggler.

Almost miraculously, hope springs from his developing relationship with a local nurse (Liv Tyler) and her young son, and Jim slowly learns to move forward without leaving anyone behind.

A wry and melancholy film, shot through with humour and low-key emotional truths, LONESOME JIM is directed by Steve Buscemi and features heartfelt performances by Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler and Mary Kay Place. Steve Buscemi's seamless direction and James C Strouse's thoughtful script paint a picture of working-class characters filled with the comedy and rich details of everyday life.