Two out of the three acts in "Laurel Canyon" aren't bad. Unfortunately, the third act is the one that really sticks with you.
That's not just because it's the final act, which is the one audiences usually remember most. It's because this drama seems so intent on turning cinematic cliches on their ear, only to wind up closing on a note that embraces the most painful cliche of them all.
The only thing that really salvages the movie is yet another spectacular performance by Frances McDormand, who remains one of our most underrated actresses (despite her 1996 Oscar for "Fargo").
Here McDormand plays a role that's a great deal sexier than audiences might expect, as Jane, a veteran music producer who is estranged from her son, Sam (Christian Bale), a medical student just starting his residency.
However, that doesn't stop Sam and his fiance Alex (Kate Beckinsale) from crashing at Jane's Hollywood Hills home when they switch coasts. Still, they seem a bit taken aback by Jane, who's taken a new, younger lover, Ian (Alessandro Nivola) — at least until his band finishes recording its latest record in her home studio.
With Sam away a lot, the lonely Alex begins hanging out with Jane and Ian, and finds herself seduced by the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Meanwhile, Sam's not immune to temptation, either, as he finds himself spending more and more time with Sara (Natascha McElhone), a comely second-year resident who is attracted to him.
Writer-director Lisa Cholodenko has made a huge mistake in casting Bale and Beckinsale as her leads. While their blandness seems to be appropriate for the characters they're played, neither is very interesting. On the other hand, McDormand is charismatic and extremely watchable. The only real help she gets is from Nivola, who's convincing as an oversexed rock star. Meanwhile, McElhone's affected Russian accent is amusingly awful.
"Laurel Canyon" is rated R for occasional strong sex-related profanity, crude sexual slang terms and other sexual talk, simulated sex and sex acts, simulated drug use (marijuana), brief female and partial male nudity and a brief scene of violence (a scuffle). Running time: 103 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com