Very well executed

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The story of an older woman who realizes that she has a life to live. I rented this from Blockbuster ages ago not knowing what to expect, and to be honest it's about what I expected. Lots of interpersonal clichés regarding how to live your own life and not be someone else's slave. It was in the comedy section, or so I recall, so I took a chance on it.It's mildly amusing, and actually somewhat revealing about parents' attitudes towards their offspring, and also some hard truths about humanity and how we codify our basic desires to try and put some stability on ourselves, but then wind up causing more problems in the long run.I can't remember too much more. Not a film I'd recommend for males nor even the family. Still, it was interesting for what it is.

"Unhook the Stars" is all about Rowlands who plays a middle aged widow with grown kids who wakes up one day to find herself no longer needed as a wife and mother. An uneventful and even character study which builds enough interest in the Rowlands character to make it not too difficult to overlook her supporting cast who play obvious stereotypes, "Unhook..." is a flick with no punchline which plays like a meal with no dessert. The entertainment is in the ride, not the destination. A good slice of mature life flick worth a look.

I am a great fan of Gerard Depardieu and I purchased this film based on the fact that he was in it. However, I'm sure that Mr. Depardieu was disappointed in the final product. Did most of his scenes end up on the cutting room floor? Was I just "out to lunch" when I was watching this film? What a lot of nonsense this movie is!Depardieu's character was never allowed to be developed. I am convinced that he gave his usual stellar performance, but there was just not enough screen time to give dimension or depth to the character. One could wonder what was the purpose of having him in the film. His character was supposed to be one of many catalysts in the life of the character that Ms. Rowlands played. The contrast of these two was never fully realized.I am not acquainted with Ms. Rowlands' work, but she seemed competent in this role. The film was, I suppose, too much like a slice of someone's life - boring, and with no impetus toward an end. There was no continuity in the film - it merely meandered like a sluggish stream.Ms. Tomei was acting? Perhaps not. Perhaps she was just being herself. She did not invoke my sympathy, or even my interest. She was supposed to have brought about a change in the lead character, or the lead was supposed to have brought about a change in her character. Neither was apparent.I found it very difficult to remain watching this movie. I kept longing for the end, or else for something to be of value so that I would not have wasted my time or my money. The woman (Rowlands) is leaving her best friend (the little JJ who gave the best performance in my opinion) for what? -for Miami, that Depardieu's character briefly mentioned and never developed or planned out the idea? Is the point supposed to be that she's being a martyr? That was never developed. The whole movie was never developed! It was vague and disjointed, with no feeling of closure or of even wondering what would become of the heroine. Who cares!I love a good cerebral movie, but this wasn't it. I'm not sure what it was, except forgettable!

Targeted to the intelligent, non-adolescent. Character driven story, extraordinarily well written. How did this ever get the green light from a major studio? Marisa Tomei displays her trademark ability to portray hard edged, gritty women.