Duncan (Joshua Jackson), a depressed twentysomething living in a rundown section of Minneapolis, has just lost another job. He has another source of income, letting his brother use his apartment for extramarital trysts. On a rare visit to his grandparents, Ronald (Donald Sutherland) and Ruth (Louise Fletcher), Duncan meets Kate (Juliette Lewis), Ronald's spirited home health-care worker. Later, when Duncan learns that there's an opening for a handyman in the building, he takes the job. He begins
to spend more time with his grandparents, hanging out with Ronald, who, among his many health problems, suffers from Parkinson's disease. He also has occasion to see Kate, and the two cautiously begin a romantic relationship. Kate is "one of those people," as Duncan puts it, who moved to Minneapolis because of the Replacements. Unlike Duncan, who has never left Minneapolis, Kate has never stayed in any one place for too long. She's anxious to get out and explore the world, while Duncan seems immobilized. Yet they connect, if only for a time. As Duncan reconnects with his grandparents and grows more intimate with Kate, he begins to deal with his grief over the sudden death of his father. Meanwhile, with his health deteriorating, Ronald begins to think of ending his life, and turns to his grandson for help. Aurora Borealis was directed by James Burke from an original screenplay by Brent Boyd. The film had its world premiere at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
Most successful in capturing the emotional elements of its story, the film relies on its excellent cast to balance out sketchily drawn characters and the unfortunate obviousness of its plot.
Boyd's observant script (Minneapolis guy: 'St. What?' Kate: 'St. Paul. It's on the other side of the river.') and fine acting smooth over most of the rough edges.
Aurora Borealis -- yes, that title eventually comes home to roost -- doesn't offend in any way, but it's so self-consciously quaint, so unwaveringly 'nice,' that you nearly wish it did.
The real surprise here is Lewis, who seems to have finally hit on a role that balances her usual flakiness with smarts and an offbeat poignancy, and she delivers the strongest work of her adult career.
A good script, well performed by a really good cast...including Juliette Lewis (I say this even though I am not a fan). I was very impressed with Joshua Jackson, and Donald Sutherland in this film. The main plot deals with mortality, growing old, and the love of family...all with a touch of saddness, and humor
together. Nice movie.
I really liked this movie and I feel kinda bad because it doesn't really play like a very happy story and not at all similar the stuff I usually enoy.
I have a son named Duncan and I saw a LOT of similarities between this character, Duncan, and my son, Duncan and that made me kind of uncomfortable.
I thought it was
going to be really predictable but things didn't play out in this film in quite the way I thought they would (or should?) and that was a nice change. Gotta love Hollywood ~
I never really cared much for Juliette Lewis but she did a great job with this role. Josh Jackson was very believable as Duncan. Donald Sutherland was every bit the character he portrayed, almost to the point of being scary real. I thought Louise Fletcher was a good choice for his wife but she seemed a little more detached than was believable for me personally.
I had bought this movie to watch whenever and I'm glad I did. I am pretty sure there are parts and nuances I missed the first time that I'll pick up in repeated watchings. I'm sure. The overall message in this movie is hope and that is a VERY good thing! I LOVED the ending too ~
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