What makes it different from others?

Great Film overall

Am I Missing Something?

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I decided to write a review of this film while watching it, just to make sure the boring 112 minutes it takes to get through it are not a complete waste of time. This is sophomoric male fantasy, embarrassing in its stupidity. "Jesus Christ kid, that's an $1800 window," says Al as his new-found friend takes him on a shooting rampage. The entire film is one absurd and phony protestation after another from Al, followed by his gleeful compliance with every idiotic stunt of theft or vandalism the fool in the woods dreams up. Mid-life crisis? Mental breakdown? I don't know and the movie never prompts me to care. At this point in the film, people are seeing Jesus in a hamburger placard. Amusing? Now the two fools are getting beat up. I give up.

Like a fairytale without the magic, or perhaps the magic without the actual presence of the fays, is of little or no consequence. The story is about the quest in search of one's true inner self, like an odyssey or some mystical adventure through the psyche, having the most unlikely of guides there to lead you. A middle-aged professional engineer, who seems to have lost sight of the most fundamental things in life, is exposed to a life changing, potentially enlightening experience. Whether or not he possesses the insight to recognize the true meaning of life in its most basic of elements, remains there the lesson of a wisdom inherent in the constant struggle between reality and possibility.Sometimes we become so wrapped up in the mundane, we lose ourselves and the only way to regain one's senses is to then distance ourself from the reality of things. Al Fountain is such a fellow, he meets the "Kid", a free-spirited, highly irresponsible dreamer who lives life in the moment with no apparent regard or respect for the consequences. Such a philosophy, or lack thereof, could drive a seemingly "normal" person to the brink of either insanity or epiphany, yet there appears to be a very fine line between the two. A thoroughly enjoyable Indie film.

Director Tom DiCillo has all the attributes required for a top indie film maker. He displays a sharp humorous edge coupled with an all round smartness. But his advantage over his peers is that his works are permeated with a genuine and very winning romanticism (realized best in "Real Blonde").The premise of "Box of Moonlight" is indeed a romantic one. Two complete opposites who by all accounts would steer clear of each other are instinctively drawn together when destiny wills a chance encounter. They will learn important life lessons from each other and part the richer. It is in effect a delightful spin on the buddy movie.John Turturro and Sam Rockwell are the least likely buddies one could imagine. Turturro plays the rigid, time obsessive and orderly engineer against Rockwell's wild, irresponsible back to nature outcast. Turturro's Al Fountain senses much is not well in his life and subconsciously perceives that Rockwell's "The Kid" might just be what he is so much in need of; someone to release those parts of his personality which adulthood and its encumbering responsibilities has suffocated. "The Kid" indeed accomplishes this in a variety of ways including coaxing Al to reach his inner child in the wonderful tomato throwing scene and luring him into an touching adolescent one night stand with Floatie played beautifully by Catherine Keener, a DiCillo favorite. By the end of the movie Al will return home a far better husband and father.Just how Rockwell's "The Kid" will be effected is less clear. He is clearly a severely deluded character functioning more as a symbol rather than a credible person. In lesser hands it could have come off ludicrous, but Rockwell nails it perfectly in what would be his break through role. There's a palpable chemistry between the buddies which is so vital for making this story work."Box of Moonlight" is a modern day fable, a cautionary tale reminding us not to allow adulthood smother us. It's a tale told with tremendous charm and a movie to be cherished.

Due of my obsession for Sam Rockwell i found this wonderful piece of film, knowing absolutely nothing about it, and...what can I say....it's well as we would say it in German: einfach wunderbar.....Tom DiCillos Film describes in very brilliant scenes how a boring typical American father and husband discovers what life meant to be.... This film has several great scenes in it...the all-American-way of life is present throughout the whole story, showing for example this really fat boy jumping around the pool, or the incredible friendly woman of the car-renal-station....John Turturro is brilliant as this empty man, who seems to never had any joy in his whole life, accept as a kid at this lake where he travels to, as the had some days off after work.... On his way he meets Buck alias The Kid, a young man who lives deep in the woods far away from every society..For seven days now these very different people get together...and it's so inspiring to see them become...well....some kind of friends. Sam Rockwell is absolutely gorgeous as The Kid, i had this weird feeling - whenever he's in – i have to embrace this grown-up kid ever and ever again, never let him go.... His face in this scene when Turturro's Character wants to get back the key for his car.... indescribable...wow.... Well....surely i only want to intimate that this film is acting at it's purest.... In the end Turturro's Character as changed, in a little not so obvious way...an me to.