MovieChat Forums > Grand Canyon (1992) Discussion > One of the great unsung movies of the 90...

One of the great unsung movies of the 90s

posted 21 years ago by rjneb2
17 replies | jump to latest

I remember being really impressed by this film when it first came out, and now having seen it again, it's so good to see that it hasn't lost any of its truth. I find it a remarkable examination of the way our society is going down the toilet (quite similar to the more ambitious "Short Cuts" I guess). But the amazing thing is that through all the violence and the hate and the rage, there's still hope trying to find its way through. The film's premise that there are little miracles happening all around us every day and how we must learn to spot them is so right and so true for the world that we now find ourselves in. It teaches us a really life-affirming lesson. And that's why I think it's one of the great unsung movies of the 90s.

[–] remadri2000 21 years ago

I agree my friend. This film ages well. It makes you think about the little miracles of everyday life.
And above all, the Grand Canyon, which make all our problems seem like nothing. Great metaphor.

[–] imdb-com-284 19 years ago

Thank goodness for the public library. I'm not sure I could have lived with myself if I had paid good money to see this. Depressing, disjointed and just one big downer despite its attempts to wax poetic/philosophical (in which it fails miserably). A waste of yet another modern day film budget.

[–] irishbostonma 20 years ago

I'm so glad I'm not alone. Kasdan did a brilliant job of making us feel like there was something dreadful around every corner. But it is the dialog that shines, so honest, so real, I think maybe it was slightly ahead of it's time. I was hoping for a pimped out DVD, but I guess if the original is in the bargain bin, there is little chance for the deluxe edition. Great movie.

Bill

[–] shushu-1 20 years ago

I had to check that this message was not written by me, I so much agree with you (it wasnt even my other personality (: ). This film is my all time favourite!

[–] TemporaryOne-1 20 years ago

Agreed

I loved the dialogue: exact, precise, extremely philosophical. Not a word wasted, sheer perfection in scriptwriting.

The metaphors were boundless and penetrating.

There are so many bright things, miracles, that happen everyday, those are the things that make life worth living.

[–] rawkus1167 20 years ago

I usually dislike movies that are too didactic or preachy about society (especially race relations), but this one rises above the rest mainly from the wonderfully nuanced acting (esp. from Kline & Glover) and a subtle script from Lawrence Kasdan. I actually like this more than "The Big Chill", which I felt mired in a puddle of its own sentimentality for too long.

"Yes, I'd like a cheeseburger, please, large fries and a cosmopolitan!"

[–] blabla-67 19 years ago

I first went to see it years ago at the theater and walked out within the first half hour because it was so depressing. I just rented and watched it and am glad I did. Very good movie.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] GMan9727 19 years ago

Yes, I just watched this film again for the umpteenth time (never saw it at the time of release only years after) and it touches my heart in the best possible way. I adore films like this where little stories of people get woven through each other (Magnolia is another good example) and we get to know the characters inside out, thanks to the brilliant acting. There's an amazing amount of truth to be found in this flick, even to the point where we can learn immensely from it. Films like this want to make me a better person than I am.

[–] ecjones1951 19 years ago

I think a lot of the critics and moviegoers were expecting another "Big Chill," with a hefty dose of mordant humor and sarcasm. This movie surprised a lot of people, I think, who didn't know what to make of it. It *was* ahead of its time.

Two favorite scenes: one character's getting snatched back off the street corner (which he's crossed absent-mindledly), and Simon and Jane talking to his daughter on the TTY.

More than with a lot of other movies, I think you have to be patient and in the right mood to enjoy "Grand Canyon," but if you are, it has many rewards. It yields more every time you see it. IMO

[–] brownie-16 19 years ago

I just loved the dialogue between the characters. It was calm and still "real".