Evening is a movie that’s full of sap. Like a tree. As in The Notebook but without all the action (seriously). So while this may be a great movie for mothers and daughters it was definitely not a great movie for me. It was a movie that was tiresome; attempting to evoke an emotional level that was nowhere near earned.
This is a story shown in two eras, with flashbacks used to bridge the gap between past and present. Ann (Vanessa Redgrave) is ill and bed-ridden; her two daughters (played by Toni Collette and her real daughter Natasha Richardson) stay by her side out of love and concern. That’s the present day scenario. She’s remembering back to a time in the 50’s, Claire Danes portrays her then. She was a young and lovely singer in those days. The scenes from the past all revolve around a wedding weekend in Rhode Island. Danes plays Mamie Gummer’s best friend (who is Meryl Streep’s real life daughter). Mamie is conflicted and in love with another man on the eve of her wedding. Sorry to get so involved with the cast and plotline, but it’s a large ensemble piece and to get an idea of whether you’ll like this it’s best that you have all the facts. Just one more and we’re off, Ann (Danes) is embarking upon a love affair of her own.
As far as the two eras go, the scenes from the past are much more palatable. The present day scenes involve a woman who can’t get out of bed. While I’ve been a part of these vigils I don’t think there is much that’s entertaining or enlightening about them. Especially given the fact that only three people have any interaction during these, and one of them is suffering from dementia. Ann weaves a convoluted tale (the scenes from the past) that doesn’t do much to progress the story. If it’s not the slightest bit interesting than why does half the film choose to revel in it? Because it’s based on a novel, so there was no choice.
Therein lays the problem with the adaptation as a whole. I’ve heard that the book had to be dramatically slashed in order to fit into a screenplay, but all that depth lost must have hurt this one. This is the main reason that when the time for tears comes most people will laugh instead. Evening wants to tug at your heartstrings, but it’s so shallow and transparent that it only tugs at your “I’m annoyed” strings.
I know for a fact that most women will like this more than most men. It was easy to gauge that in the movie, and in the time since I’ve seen it I’ve talked to a few women who appreciated it much more than I did. But I don’t think it’s a date movie (not enough laughs) and it won’t have enough activity to be considered a family movie either. All in all the best release date for this would have been Mother’s Day, but that ship has sailed. Sensitive types who don’t want to think too much should head out to this. The rest of us should stick with the fun stuff.
