You won't be disappointed!

It is a performances centric movie

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

I liked the reviews about this movie, they form a high level indirect discussion, and I agree with the majority of the analysis that was made. This is a movie about the fragility of life, however, it's also a story that somehow shows the unbelievable force life has, and the very special ways it's revealed, through the story of Joleen, her daughter Tara and Uncle James. Little caring about the other actions, the feeling of one missing the other, and each one of them doing the little they can, when all their resources and possibilities seem to have been gone away.They are capable of only tiny little actions, compared to the huge power of the way things apparently are, the "big pictures" that rule our lives in this world. From underneath their helpless situation, a trip back to the family ranch, a very simple and touching birthday present, a bad joke that makes the little girl laugh, a game the smart kid establishes with her uncle, and that makes them closer, the smiles of Tara, her playing with the other kids, all of that kind of gradually rescues their ability to live, but it still seems to be so far from enough, in their needs. All the time, though, they're trying to do what they think is correct, they're trying to do something good about their lives, and that is a very touching drama, that moves directly towards a conflict with the old and rough father/grandfather.Personally, I enjoyed very much the symbolism and some poetic language this movie works with. The birthday present, the "Christmas tree" actually shows them struggling hard with their limitations. Under these conditions, life is not really possible for Uncle James, unless he's kind of sleepwalking. Tara at the same time needs him as her last connection and hope of a "regular" life, and she could possibly "awake" him, because of her needs and expectations, but also because she's full of emotion and has great people skills. While all this happens, Joleen has a time to try something different, or to learn better about her life, if there is time or opportunity.The actors were really great, especially Nick Stall and Annasophia Robb. The other were already very famous and renowned. Annasophia's career is very impressive and I look forward to seeing her becoming one of the top Hollywood grown up actresses. She seems to be escalating the steps and styles of actresses like Sissy Spacek, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Carla Gugino, Emily Blunt and other great examples.

I saw this movie on TV last night, I was about to stop watching it, as too sad and depressing, but thankfully realized it was a movie worth seeing. It's about a mother-daughter relationship, set in an abandoned wasteland, when the mother disappears after running off with some guy, and the daughter finds alone, with her uncle as the only person to hold on to. They will set off for a journey along desert highways, which will lead both to come to terms with what they really are and what they want to be, and the uncle-niece relationship will get particular significance. Outstanding performances from the whole cast, Charlize Theron, whose performance reminded me of "The burning plain" and "North country", seems so at ease in such lacerating roles (here a short role, indeed), and once again proves that physical beauty can go hand in hand with strong interpretations, without diminishing their level. However, this is about all Tara's story, the story of a 12-year-old abandoned daughter, showing a determination and an inner strength that adults seem to have completely lost. She is wonderfully interpreted by AnnaSophia Robb, featuring very mature and intense acting. It's certainly a slow movie, but slowness is necessary to offer the right insight into the characters and to let the viewer enter the right atmosphere. As a whole, a sad and heavy movie, about the intolerable hardships of life, but the actors' and the director's commitment make it an intense, realistic and never pedantic picture.

The director could not have picked better actors for this film than Nick Stahl and AnnaSophia Robb. Every movie that I have seen AnnaSophia act in, she has taken her role seriously, with the fullest extent of her acting ability, and to heart.Nick plays the uncle, James, and AnnaSophia plays James' niece, Tara. The two are locked in position with their own dark pasts (Tara dealing with her mother's sudden disappearance after her mother had been unable to look after her due to her lifestyle, and James being the dark memories of his abusive father with him and his sister Joleen *Tara's Mother*).Now, I am not going to get into detail on everything the movie is about, because I honestly think you really should see the film if you haven't already, and I am not going to spoil it. However, the movie takes you to the dark place (Dennis Hopper plays a dark, twisted, and excellent Role as the Father of James and Joleen). It takes you through the emotions of hitting rock bottom, a child's world upside down in the eyes of a 12 year old, a mother's struggle to hold on, and with no other alternative, a return trip to the farm of evil.10/10 P.S.: When about to watch this film, remember the words of AnnaSophia Robb herself - "You've got to keep your mind wide open."

I live in Puerto Rico and have submitted reviews before under my earlier email address."Sleepwalking" is a powerful, disturbing movie. It is not a fun movie to see. It is a movie about coming of age or finding out what makes us fear and want to repress our dirty little secrets. I am in a twelve-step program for an addiction. Seeing this movie was as good as going to a group meeting where we share our strength, hope and experience. "Sleepwalking" is about soul searching. It is about accepting reality and not living in denial about our life's experience.I seldom laughed or even smile during this movie until the very end. It almost depressed me because it reminded me of my dishonest life before I got honest with myself.There are four key characters: (1) A father who is cruel and abusive to those who are his loved ones. (2) His daughter who hangs on to the cruel past and does not know how to let go of her resentments against her father in order to enjoy the present. (3) The daughter's timid brother who refuses to honestly examine, face and accept the reality of his past; and therefore, he is unable to have the desire to face his present or future.(4) The daughter's very young, confused and angry daughter who is caught in a trap between her mother's living in the past and her uncle's refusal to accept the present and is afraid to face his future.I don't expect this movie to be a box office success. However, I expect this movie will stimulate many to do our own soul searching. I was a lot like the brother who always denied the truth about his father and did want to confront any of the important issues of living in reality.I would like to add the following comment to my earlier review:Puerto Rico, where I live, is truly an "Enchanted Island." It is colorful and joyful. The people, the scenery and the climate make you feel alive and happy. Puerto Rico also has constant playing of all kinds of Latin music. Puerto Ricans are gifted to appreciate music. They love to sing and dance. They also excel in the visual arts. I actually love and enjoy viewing some of the graffiti in Puerto Rico. I think some of it should be on display in the great art museums of the world.In "Sleepwalking" the scenery and climate could not have been more dull, barren and depressing. There are boring, depressing highways that go for miles without any beautiful scenery. Every location in "Sleepwalking" is flat, dreary and depressing. This added to the disturbing impact of the movie. The people who live in the area of the movie are colorless, dull and depressing. I have noted this lack of beauty and joy in other art films made in the plains just east of the Rockie. Or was this dreariness in the far west? Was it in Utah? I would go out of my mind if I lived in the location of the filming of "Sleepwalking." Boy! I am delighted that I live in Puerto Rico the "Enchanted Island." At the age of eighty, Puerto Rico makes me want to live life with carefree joy. It is difficult to get depress on this bubbling island of colorful living