Tapestry

Author(s): Ian
Location: N/A

"Tapestry"

Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Written by Baz Luhrmann

Musical/Romance/Drama

Main Cast

Ellen Page … Karen Robinson
Michael Angarano … Jack Willis
Frances McDormand … Dorothy Robinson
Jeff Daniels … Frank Robinson
Ashley Tisdale … Kathleen Wood
Eli Marienthal ... Gary Jones

Tagline: "It was 1970 – a war raged, a romance bloomed, and the music played all day and night"

Synopsis: It’s 1970, and it’s the end of June. The Vietnam War is going strong. With each passing day, the death toll, the protesting voices, and the terror of the draft for normal teenagers fresh out of school rises. Recent graduate Jack Willis is, unfortunately, no exception to the terror. He is not nearly wealthy enough to attend college, and therefore he does not plan on attending at all. Alas, it is off to Vietnam for him in two weeks.

Karen Robinson, a girl from another town who is also fresh out of high school, is bummed out by the war and the drama that is the life of a teenager. She was recently dumped, but soon a little encouragement from her bubbly friend Kathleen (“Beautiful”) does the trick, and Karen and Kathleen set out, confident and boy ready. Here, Jack and Karen’s paths cross and the two are immediately struck by each other. Kathleen forces Karen to head over and talk with him. Their talk results in two exchanged phone numbers, and two ecstatic young hearts (“I Feel The Earth Move”).

Karen arrives home, and tells her mother of the dreamy guy she has set her eyes on. Dorothy, strung higher then the world’s tallest mountain, is not as delighted as her daughter. She tells Karen of his history, and where he’s heading to quite soon – Vietnam (“Smackwater Jack”). Karen brushes her mother’s warnings off, and with a little help from her laid-back father Frank, she is hesitantly granted permission to see Jack.

As their relationship progresses, Karen confesses her love to Jack and lets him know what he does to her (“You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”). Eventually, a few nights before Jack’s due to leave, the question of sex comes up. They both agree they want to, but not until their insecurities are shared (“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”) However, Karen is most insecure about the fact that Jack will soon be gone…

On the eve of the day Jack is set to leave, he laments about heading off to Vietnam and tries his hardest to make it something to look forward to (“Way Over Yonder”). When the day does arrive, Karen decides that it would just too hard for her to continue the relationship and that it is too late to save it (“It’s Too Late”). Jack is heartbroken, and he takes off angrily. Karen sinks back into her depression.

Not long after, Kathleen is heading off to the Peace Corps after attempting to help Karen in every which way she can. The two vow to keep their friendship strong, and Karen sees Kathleen off (“You’ve Got A Friend”). With Jack and Kathleen both gone, Karen’s summer has been drained of its joy. She sings about the distances between herself and two of the most important people in her life (“So Far Away”).

Over in Vietnam, Jack is struggling with the decision Karen made, but he is slowly learning to accept it and to realize why she did it. After vocally expressing his homesick feelings with his buddy Gary (“Home Again”), the pair decide to try to do whatever they can to get thrown out of the military.

Back home, it is the end of August and Frank has grown tired of seeing his daughter gloomy and depressed. He approaches her, and tells her that it will all work out one day, and he’ll be there when it does (“Where You Lead”). Frank also tells her to get dressed for dinner because they are going out with a guest. As they sit down to eat, Dorothy and Frank announce to Karen that they have a surprise for her, and Jack appears to eat with them. Happy to be with the love of her life once again, Karen looks back on her summer as she sings the final words of the movie, “he’s come to take me back…” (“Tapestry”).

What the Press would say:

“Tapestry” is a thoroughly excellent film, and perhaps the greatest movie musical of the twenty-first century. Easily one of the best American films of the year, this adaptation of Carole King’s 1971 landmark album is just lovely. Carole King’s brilliant lyrics and melodies burst off of the screen in songs like “Smackwater Jack” and “I Feel The Earth Move”. Similarly, her heartfelt and raw, honest emotional writing is brilliantly displayed in songs like “So Far Away” and “Way Over Yonder”. Ultimately, all of them appear very fresh for being very old thanks to the sensational cast. Likewise, the rather simple story is propelled to greatness by a deliciously clever script and breathtaking direction from Baz Luhrmann, who was equally as spectacular behind the camera of “Moulin Rouge” a few years back. He once again turns the film into a sweeping musical epic that never overdoses on the style and has a lot of great substance. Getting back to the cast, youngsters Ellen Page and Michael Angarano lead the film with infinitely impressive performances, proving that somewhere in young Hollywood, brilliantly talented people do exist. Both are completely dazzling; with a slight edge given to Page’s tour de force work. They are destined to be star-making turns. As Page’s parents, the always masterful Jeff Daniels and Frances McDormand each deliver the goods. McDormand is pitch-perfect, once again, as the high-strung mother, while Daniels is just too good to be true as the father that lives to seize the day. We may have seen these characters before, but both put such excellent spins on them that it really doesn’t matter. One would come to expect this from pros like McDormand and Daniels. And finally, Ashley Tisdale has gone from being the only person who knows what she’s doing in the “High School Musical” franchise to holding her own (quite damn well) against some powerhouse performances in “Tapestry”. Page and Angarano may become stars, but for Tisdale, already a star, this performance will earn her respect and allow people to look at her seriously as an actress. She is delightful as the bubbly Kathleen – very reminiscent of Kate Hudson in “Almost Famous” – and come to think of it, all five main actors are just downright superb – much like the film itself. In all honesty, go see this movie. It has an absolutely supreme crossover appeal, bound to hit it big critically and commercially. And why would one want to pass up on the chance to see a film like that?

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

Best Picture
Best Director, Baz Luhrmann
Best Original Screenplay, Baz Luhrmann
Best Actor in a Leading Role, Michael Angarano
Best Actress in a Leading Role, Ellen Page
Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Jeff Daniels
Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Frances McDormand
Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Ashley Tisdale