Reviews (92)

All in all, pretty lousy
Only the most die-hard Tim Roth fans will want to sit through this whole movie. Too bad the last two segments (I think they're the last two, anyway) are the only ones even remotely worth watching; that means you have to sit through the first two to get to them. Thank God for fast-forward!
The one with Madonna in it is about witches, and the only thing you can say about it is that it makes witches look like the most boring possible subject matter in the universe. Plus it stars Madonna. 'Nuff said.
Then there's one about a wife and her husband, with one of them tied to a chair or something. This one was so bad, I can't even remember anything else about it. And I only watched it three days ago! What does that tell you?
Thankfully, just when you're begging for someone to shut it off, along comes the third segment, a hilarious little film about two naughty children and the bellhop (Roth, who appears in each segment) who is bribed to keep an eye on them. When the source of the mysterious odor in the room is discovered, Roth's reaction almost justifies the whole movie's existence. I was still laughing hours later.
The last segment, by spoiled Hollywood wonderchild Quentin Tarantino, is okay. It has his trademark crackling dialogue (of course), and Q.T. has some fun with his own image. But too bad the entire segment itself is just one long, sick, unfunny joke.
Making this movie was not a very good idea, and the results were predictably foul. Even the always-enjoyable Roth seems out of place and you kind of feel sorry for him. But at least the "Misbehavers" segment, all by itself, redeems the experience. Almost.

Definitely not for everyone
If you are a hardcore Tarrantino fan, you'll probably like this. If you are a reserved, serious person, you probably won't. Pretty simple huh? Maybe not...

I'll break it down room by room. The first room is sort of just to give us the happy "Ted scored" feeling. Sometimes I'd really rather fast forward through this, as the script is sort of silly in this room. But overall, I've seen a lot worse, and remember, we're not taking this film seriously right?

The second room is the mistaken identity room that really shows off Tim Roth's ability to act. I have read other reviews that say he is horrible in this. I disagree completely. You can see every emotion the character feels pass across his face, which makes it very humorous. Jennifer Beals does a good job in this section, but like a lot of dialogue in Tarrantino films, you get the strict, rigid scripted feeling. In other words, the actors spit out this long line of gibberish that noone would really say in real life. People have to take the time to come up with these types of speeches.

The third room is probably the best, if not a little bit disturbing. I think everyone did a good job in this section, especially Tim Roth when he was aggravated by the children.

The fourth room seems to be plagued by bad acting. In my opinion, only Willis and Roth do a good job. Tarrantino is frightfully bad in his dialogue, and that scripted feeling comes back stronger than ever. Meanwhile, you'd be hard pressed to believe that anyone besides Willis is drunk. I think it was a bad case of overacting on the part of the others. Overall, its still worth watching, and the movie is great if for no other reason than Tim Roth (who is terrific in everything he is in -- See The Muskateer, as his acting is the only thing making the movie worthwhile).

Pulp Fiction(downtoned) + Kill Bill(downtoned)=Four Rooms
i love this movie i thought it was quite enjoyable.Tim Roth cracks me up when i watched this(his performance reminded me a lot of charlie chaplin) especially when he just walks and talks its quite strange but it was a great movie that i think any tarintino viewer would enjoy.

Not bad, and stop blaming Madonna!
With 4 directors and a cast of over 20 actors {all talented}, this movie was bound to flop. Antonio Banderez makes a great appearance and Madonna and Quentin Terentino {and} Bruce Willis were good too. The script seems confusing, the directors all have completely different views and styles, so it's confusing. But it is still funny, the bellhopper was excellent, really funny guy. Madonna, who was only in the first fifteen minutes, was blamed for the badness of the movie, stop hating just because she's one of the only people in this movie who don't cuss up a storm and stay fresh and to the point! And as for Quentin, it was a nice cameo, but you're a lot better behind the camera...

rather keep your good money
The more this Tarantino guy attempts to be sophisticated, the worse he fails. This inexplicably overrated, clumsy effort is even worse than Pulp Fiction. Packed with violence and poor taste, it sticks out like a sore thumb for its total lack of talent, humour, ideas. The film equivalent of a crapburger with 200 chili peppers (expired, too), it lets the amazingly childish ego of its director transpire from its every pore. And I don't tolerate such yobbo in my private living room. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Highly recommended story about life on the streets
"Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)" is an HBO movie about Hispanic girls growing up in Echo Park. Each main character was allowed to tell his or her story and the director effectively blended these lives into a tale about real people facing death on the streets. It shows what it means to belong to a neighborhood, how the neighborhood gangs provide support, and how people, especially women, cope with the deaths around them. There were no "bad" people here, just nice kids who accept murder as an effective way to solve problems in a dangerous environment. I highly recommend the film to anyone who has seen "Kids" for a more mundane but believable take on poor urban teens.

Not that accurate, but fun to watch
I work in Echo Park and I grew up here. I have friends in the movie. I don't think it was very accurate; Echo Park is not just gangs, but also artists, professionals, and people trying to make a difference. There are former Echo Park gangmembers who have professional degrees after attending universities on scholarship, just as there those who are still in jail or still banging.

Be careful watching any movie supposedly based on fact. Mi Vida Loca doesn't tell the whole story, but the movie is well-made and fun to watch.

One of a Kind
This movie is one of a kind. If your into the other movies like, Blood In Blood Out, American Me, Boulevard Nights, than you will definitley enjoy this film. I have it on VHS and I am very excited that it is FINALLY coming out on DVD. I highley recommend Mi Vida Loca to add to you gangster movie collection.

Why everyone must see this film...
...This film is amazing. It realistically deals with the problematic role of girls in a gang and the same girls as mothers (or a mother figure). Additionally, it realistally protrays the girl gang culture in L.A. (specifically in Echo Park). As a third generation California latina, I am shocked by the disparity of Echo Park as it was at the time of the film and now.

Love, Loss, and Friendship Beyond All Circumstances
Alison Anders did a wonderful job directing this movie. characters seem so real and alive. Women of all races and ages will appreciate this story of love, loss and friendship surviving all circumstances. I just love this movie. El Duran steals the movie in his brief role. The score was done by John Taylor of Duran Duran if you didn't know. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Wonderful Movie.
'Grace of My Heart' was a wonderful movie, with a poigniant message. It chronicals the life of Edna (Illeana Douglas) through the music that she writes. Illeana Douglas gives a stirring performance, she seems to age along with the character, as if the movie had actually been made over 12 years (the amount of time the movie covers). John Turturro masters his role as Joel, to the point of making you forget he is the same man who played chess in 'The Luhzin Defence' or stuttered on television in 'Quiz Show'. Matt Dillon also creates an unforgetable character.

Grace of My Heart makes you feel all of the right emotions you can feel in a movie: joy, sadness, shock, humor, suspense and also feel content. Its realism is surprising, while its ideal-worldishness is masterful. It blends the shock of the real world with a utopian zest that very few movies can gracefully achieve.

A superbly done movie, that I recommend to everyone that has ever had a dream, and strived for it.

This Movie Pulls at My Heart!
My twenty something daughter & I both love this movie. It was the first time I had seen Illeana Douglas & John Turturro in a movie, & I loved them both. I've found since then that John Turturro is a chameleon, changing physically with each character. I'll never forget Illeana D. in this role--like one of your reviewers said, it's hard to believe she wasn't singing the songs. I loved the music of all the groups in this movie--wish all of the songs were included on the music cd. The girl who sings "God Give Me Strength" was fantastic! As were all singers in this movie. Matt Dillon, Eric Stoltz, & Bruce Davison were excellent, as always. Christina Pickles & Bridget Fonda were great in their small parts, also as usual. I was disappointed that Leonard Maltin gave this movie only 2 1/2 stars, but he does that for a lot of movies that I like. I watched this movie at late night on HBO or some cable channel about two years ago, & became addicted to it, & guess I also infected my daughter. I have ordered a dvd for both of us for Xmas--am looking forward to seeing all the extras. I thought that Edna served as a symbol of the growth of rock music from the early sixties through the eighties. Also, it showed the treatment of a woman in this industry, although probably not as really hard as it was. And, it showed the relationship struggles that real women go through every day. But, it was the music that makes this movie so great for me, & the portrayal of this music & the music business by the great actors.

Grace Of My Heart
Though this film will probably not have much appeal to anyone under 40, it is a clever and entertaining look at the most exciting and creative period in pop music history. Many 'stars' of this era are parodied here, and those familiar with the music of the 60's will immediately recognize the characters portrayed. The original music is beautiful, and recorded with incredible authenticty. John Turturro is marvelous as the New York hot-shot music publisher, carefully nurturing his latest discovery, a female songwriter (played by Illeana Douglas) who turns out hit after hit and makes a fortune for herself and the publishing company, but wants only to make her own record as a singer. "Denise" finally gets to do just that, but only after losing two husbands and for a short while, her own mind. This is one of just a few films that I watch at least 3 times a year.

If you like OAK furniture
The reason I mention OAK, is that all the performances are wooden. I never thought I'd see John Turturro and Matt Dillon in a STINKER (I was wrong - and their acting STINKS too, thanks to Allison Anders). Allison Anders (Dir.) should be sent back to film school and when she gets out, only be allowed to be a "gofer".
How Martin Scorsese EVER agreed to put his name behind this tripe is beyond me!
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach must have gone to the Songwriters Nursery School for this rot.
Illena Douglass should be planted in the ground and studied in botany class to see if she could produce a denser wood than her performance (which is NOT AT ALL POSSIBLE!).
You want GOOD music movies? Try, "That Thing You Do", "Victor/Victoria", "The Music Man", "The Commitments".

A wonderful undiscovered gem of a movie
This movie is beautiful and touching and amazing. The only part that bothers me is that more people don't know about it. I tell everyone I know to watch this movie. Illeana Douglas is one of my favorite actresses and the cast is first rate. Matt Dillon , Eric Stoltz, Bridget Fonda....the list goes on. The music while not superb, was a great comical send-up to the genres of the time and some of the songs were actually quite good. I highly recommend watching this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

My Fav movie
I am so excited this is coming on DVD!!This has been one of my fav movies for years. I have seen it like a 100 times. I remember stumbling on this video when I was 17 and thought independent movies were the best. This movie dealt with real life teenage issues, unlike the new teenage wave of movies. Ione Skye is so good in this film, as well as Faruza Bulk. They face the hidden pain, of not having a father, in their own ways. One acts out for attention of boys, and the other searches for a mate for their mother while on the sly looking for their real father.
Allison Anders is such a unique filmaker, I thank her for making this film. People think its a little depressing but I think it's the opposite. The mother may always look bleak but she is a struggling single mother, how is she suppose to look? I think its refreshing and very familiar to many young people with dreams. Like Shade she loves Spanish movies and dreams of so many things. I think most people can relate to her when they were that age.

an all-time great movie about mothers and daughters
This is one of the most emotionally true movies I have ever seen. I saw it as a teenager, with my parents, and the next time my mother and I had a fight, it ended when we realized how much we sounded like the characters in this movie and both just started laughing. Gas Food Lodging features the best performances I have ever seen by both Ione Skye (who was also great in Say Anything) and Fairuza Balk, who shows a much greater acting range here than you might suspect if you had only seen her in more recent movies like "The Craft" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau." Almost every single character in this movie is fully realized and well acted, and the story successfully negotiates a wide range of emotions, from the joy of falling in love to feelings of exclusion and loss. Although this story could have come out feeling sad or depressing, I don't think it does; rather, it's bittersweet and all the more memorable for facing up to difficult things.

A forgotten gem...
Before 'Thirteen' and 'American Beauty,' there was 'Gas Food Lodging.' I can remember when I first watched it some ten years ago. Not expecting much from this almost unknown indie flick, I was clued to the screen for the next hour and a half. While its story of an overworked single mother struggling to raise her two daughters was nothing new, something about it just shined. Like a diamond, it sparkled with a crisp innocence and yet cut with a hard edge. Growing up in a similarly barren environment like Laramie, New Mexico, it wasn't difficult to connect with this film.

Ten years later, this film still packs a punch. Despite its flaws which have become more obvious over time, Allison Anders' film still hits home with its gritty power.

Its strongest attraction is its very plausible portrayal of life in the middle of nowhere. Brooke Adams plays the single-mom waitress fighting to hold her family together, while her daughters search for a way out of their loneliness. Frustrated with her oldest daughter's rebellious ways, Adams' character wears the face of constant helplessness. For those of us who have undergone the same, their screaming parent-child tirades are painful to watch. Ione Skye's Trudi, the wayward 'bad girl' who hides her scars with boyfriend after boyfriend, is the highlight of the film. At times touchingly wounded and at others, screechingly impossible, Trudi embodies the chaos of growing up. Her withdrawn and innocent little sister, Shade (Fairuza Balk) fills up her father void by spending her afternoons watching Spanish tearjerkers at the near-empty town cinema. When she finally follows her heart and falls for somebody from the wrong side of town, you end up pulling for her.

Sparing nobody, all of Anders' characters carry deep wounds. No heroines nor heros here. Victims of a shattered home and a bleak future, all three women struggle to break free and find their little slice of happiness. While the 'men always leave' undercurrent of the film comes across heavy-handed at times, Anders refreshingly refuses simple answers. While most of the men in the film DO fall under the 'loser' category--weak and self-destructive, Anders is careful to be balanced. James Brolin is great as the washed-out ex who, despite his aw-shucks cowboy charm, does nothing to win back his girls. Fatherhood for him means giving a few bucks (his girlfriend's nonetheless!)to Shade. Yet, what saves 'Gas Food Lodging' from being a depressing man-bashing polemic is that all three women eventually find partners who, although far from being flawless, stand by their women.

Anders couldn't have picked a better backdrop for her film. The spartan beauty of the New Mexican desert mirrors the sharp edges and bleak prospects of her characters. Moreover, J. Mascis' (Dinosaur Jr.) soundtrack perfectly underscores the sorrow and loneliness of the film. The songs are great by themselves, but together with the desert sunsets and tumbleweed trailer parks, the end-result is magic.

While not a perfect film, 'Gas Food Lodging' is still a rare treat for those lucky enough to stumble upon it. For those looking for a tightly-acted and moving family drama, 'Gas Food Lodging' won't disappoint!

Watch both the widescreen and pan-and-scan versions.
There is quite a bit of artistry here for such a low-budget film. Both the widescreen and pan-and-scan versions have their faults as well as their good points.

The widescreen version shows much more of the brilliant cinematography. The dreary desert, the railroad station, even the trailer park really come alive here. On the other hand, during the famous sex scene in the acid-trip cavern, the picture is cropped right above Ione Skye's breasts, whereas in the pan-and-scan, there is a full view.

This has led me to wonder if this is a "false" widescreen -i.e., the film was shot with standard, @16:9 cameras and cropped to make it look widescreen even if it never was, as Disney did with Peter Pan. It would be nice if standardized and accurate information about aspect ratio was printed clearly on all DVDs.

By the way, the MOVIE is one of the best tearjerkers I've ever seen. The performances are perfect, as is the script. The picture is beautiful. Of course if I actually had to live in a desert trailer park, I don't think I'd be so impressed with the scenery.

I'm glad I was dragged into this "chick-flick".
Normally, I have to be tied to a chair to watch this sort of movie. But my girlfriend at the time made me watch it and it really got to me.

Unlike the sappy drivel you find Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts starring in, this movie is very depressing (in a good way) and painfully realistic. There is no hunky guy to sweep the heroine off her feet at the end. These girls and their mother have a hard time throughout and the bleak landscape of New Mexico only adds to the sadness. Bergman would have a hard time making such a melancholy film. The best man AVAILABLE (at the end, you'll know why I emphasized that word) in the movie is a nerdy satellite TV installer. The others are deadbeats, drunks, lechers. When Shade finds a boyfriend from the other side of the tracks, you can't blame her since the boys and men from her part of town are such lowlifes.

The language and emotions in this movie are VERY raw and no punches are pulled.

A few scenes stand out from all the sadness. When Shade (Fairuza Balk) is with her new boyfriend, it seems so sweet and innocent. First love is usually the cruelest, but this time it's the one really good thing to happen. The mother's courtship by the satellite guy is also a break from the bleak scenery.

Most of all, it's two scenes with Trudi (Ione Skye) that stand out. In one there is no dialogue, just the sound of a guitar being strummed. Trudi is waiting and longing for her boyfriend to come back for her. She is holding a fluorescent rock he gave her. Her face is lit by the afternoon sun as a train passes by in the background. This scene is a reflection of love and anticipation, since she is obviously thinking of him. However, it is also sad because you get the feeling he may never come back.

The other scene takes place in a cave lined with fluorescent rocks. Trudi and her geologist boyfriend drive out to look for some sort of rare rock. In the cave the two grow closer and in an almost psychedelic sequence, Trudi bares her breasts in a way that "offers" them to her lover. He seems hesitant at first but then makes love to her. The scene is primeval, almost Adam and Eve-like, as though they are the first man and woman on Earth. It is also very erotic! Ione Skye never looked more beautiful and the weird bluish light reflected in her face and on her breasts from the cave wall is hauntingly beautiful and dreamlike. Afterward, she tells him a painful personal secret. It's amazing how many emotions are conveyed in such a short scene.

So much of the movie reflects sorrow, regret, longing and anger that these scenes stand out all the more.

Allison Anders is a true artist. ... Read more