donaldricco Sad, but this movie bored me to tears. Sad because I love Danny Glover and Steve Martin, and the chemistry between Glover and Kline was excellent! The plot is just, well, life is hard, at all socio-economic levels. Thanks. Got it.

kaitlin-ej-ketring The Grand Canyon (Kasdan, 1991) is a film about the obstacles of life that people face on a daily occurrence and the impact these obstacles have on the rest of civilization. In this film there are four important characters that experience life changing events and each of these events either directly or indirectly affects another character in the film. The first character, Mack (Kevin Kline), ends up stranded in a poor neighborhood and is confronted by a street gang. The second character, Davis (Steve Martin), is shot in the leg by a man that is trying to take his Rolex wristwatch. The third character, Claire (Mary McDonnell), finds an abandoned infant on her morning jog. The fourth character, Simon (Danny Glover), finally finds love after being divorced for many years. The Grand Canyon National Park, becomes a metaphor for the theme of the film; that no matter how insignificant and out of control people may sometimes feel, they are still capable of bridging the gaps in their lives. All of the characters prove that despite their circumstances, they are able to find what they have been searching for all along. The focus of the film's theme is on mixed emotions. Another film with a similar type of theme would be The Royal Tenenbaums (Anderson, 2001); another story with several important characters whose personal experiences and actions are interconnected with other character's lives. In addition to the national park being conveyed as a metaphor to the film's theme, it is also used as a motif; being referenced several times throughout the film. The very first instance the national park is mentioned is actually on a television set. The second time it is referenced is when Mack and Simon are talking at the garage just after having towed Mack's car. Simon mentions that, after having seen the Grand Canyon up close one can really get a feel of just how small you really are in the world and how the events in your life are just little parts of a bigger picture. The reference to the national park not only highlights the metaphor being used but also foreshadows the ending of the story; that Mack will finally get to see the Grand Canyon.The cinematographer uses the objective point of view to convey depth in the film. One specific example of the use of the objective point of view is when Mack's car dies on a vacant street in a poor neighborhood; the camera is angled high with a clear view of the vacant street, Mack and his car, and the car being driven by a street gang that, soon confronts Mack and harasses him to get him out of his car. The depth of emotion that develops from the use of this type of camera angle also supports the mixed emotion theme of the film; it provides suspense and excitement while the viewer wonders what will happen next.I really enjoyed watching The Grand Canyon. Life is mysterious and full of devastating experiences and sometimes it is comforting to know that other people live in chaos too. The mixed emotions theme that was portrayed in the film is so realistic to the emotions people feel in everyday life. One moment life can make you feel the best you have ever felt and yet, in only a matter of seconds you could feel as though you have lost everything you have ever known. This film had a beautiful storyline and despite the clear visual indications of the era in which it was produced, the theme is unmistakably universal. Life will always be unpredictable.

Howard Schumann While touching on people's fears, Lawrence Kasdan's Grand Canyon is really about possibilities and is one of the most life-affirming films I know. Nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay, the film is about how our interactions with others, those we know and those we meet for the first time, can help us to see the world in a different light. As one reviewer put it, "It (Grand Canyon) is a healing film about the power of listening, truly listening to one another." A terrific ensemble cast that includes Kevin Kline, Steve Martin, Sarah Jessica parker, Mary McDonnell, Danny Glover, Alfrie Woodard, and Jeremy Sisto carries the film and makes it come alive. A few of the memorable scenes include Kevin Kline's car breaking down in a ghetto area near Inglewood, California and, after being harassed by a gang of hoodlums, being aided by a fearless tow-truck driver (Glover); the absolute terror felt by Kevin Kline in giving his 15-year-old son (Jeremy Sisto) driving lessons on a busy L.A. street, Mary McDonnell hearing a baby's cries while jogging and taking it home, telling her husband that the child needs a new mother.I re-watched Grand Canyon after discussing it on the message board and seeing it again for the first time in many years got me back in touch with how inspiring this film is for me. While the dream sequences feel unnecessary and some of the connections may be a bit strained, on the whole it is a very honest film that tells the truth, without sentimentality, about how we are a part of the miracle of all life, big ones like the Grand Canyon, and small ones of friendship, love, and giving of yourself to others.

edwagreen This film shows interpersonal relationships and their effects on the cast.We are given a grand tour of urban violence, the lack of male domination in the black family, resulting with children who can come and go as they please without retribution.Nearly everyone here is vulnerable to all sorts of violence with Kevin Kline, landing in a difficult neighborhood when he car dies on him. Rescued by Danny Glover, the two form a basic relationship as Kline becomes immersed with Glover's problems- a sister with 2 children living in a violent neighborhood, desperately seeking to get out, Kline's relationship with his secretary, his wife finding a baby and wanting to adopt it, his teenage son coming into a meaningful relationship with a girl during a stint at summer camp.We're evidently seeing moral decay similar to what we saw in 1958's "Some Came Running." As was the case with the latter film, "Grand Canyon" is wonderfully done.Steve Martin is fabulous as Kline's friend, shot during a mugging and whose views on violent films temporarily changes only to revert back to the way of making money at any cost.