4 August 2010. The focus on juvenile rehabilitation gets a fresh look in this sometimes edgy, raw inside and outside look at juvenile delinquency. The movie hasn't aged particularly well, especially the beginning portion of the movie which seems more like a WEST SIDE STORY (1961)rumble without the love conflict. While the detention center or youth rehabilitation centers has some good moments and in places has an excellent authentic feel without the exaggerated, stereotyping, it nevertheless doesn't follow-through on the actual substance of rehabilitation and the audience gets a tourist version of a visit to your local center inside. Another problem is the title of the movie LOST ANGELS that seem to imply an ensemble movie with a focus a various angels who are lost in Lost Angeles where the movie is taking place, much like THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985). Donald Sutherland's character seems to have a lot of problems of his own, so much so that the focus on the main theme of the movies gets sideswiped unlike the more focused relational themes between client and therapist and observing how the interaction evolves in a more authentic and meaningful manner as in GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997) between Robin William's therapist identification with Matt Damon's rebellious genius from the poor neighborhood or even PRIME (2000), a comic treatment of a therapeutic relationship starring Oscar award winning Meryl Streep. Cuba Gooding Jr., also had a strong performance as a therapist, but in this case in a prison setting with Anthony Hopkins as an inmate in INSTINCT (1999). Ultimately this movie seems to transform itself into a coming of movie with juvenile rehabilitation more of a setting than an integral part of the movie, as the resolution of this movie seems to come more from outside of the center than within unlike what occurred with 28 DAYS (2000) where Sandra Bullock's character seems to take a lot from her alcohol rehabilitation. GIRL, INTERRUPTED (1999) where Angelina Jolie's character gets a heavy does of theatrical drama in her rehabilitation center is both traditional, yet stylistically more effective than this more low-key version.
Overall, this therapeutic drama as less about rehabilitation from where most movies of this genre derive its strength but from the mean streets of personal experience and the resulting consequences. There is a gritty relationship scenario that occurs in this movie that is particularly effective. But the editing seems unbalanced and somewhat erratic, the voice-over while fascinating but doesn't seem to be used consistently and with as much power of effect as possible such as with THE INFORMANT! (2009) where Matt Damons gets a delicious, running, self-talk through out the movie.
Overall, this therapeutic drama as less about rehabilitation from where most movies of this genre derive its strength but from the mean streets of personal experience and the resulting consequences. There is a gritty relationship scenario that occurs in this movie that is particularly effective. But the editing seems unbalanced and somewhat erratic, the voice-over while fascinating but doesn't seem to be used consistently and with as much power of effect as possible such as with THE INFORMANT! (2009) where Matt Damons gets a delicious, running, self-talk through out the movie.