I initially described Labor Day as "gorgeous", but it's more than that, so much more than that. What this film is/was is flawless. It's the first first of its kind of 2014 and that certainly wasn't what I was expecting going in. I am a fan of Jason Reitman's. Yeah, I said it! I loved Up In the Air, Thank You For Smoking, and Juno so I was definitely going to see this film even though I heard some describe the source material, the novel Labor Day penned by Joyce Maynard as tepid. I had faith in Jason though, and he didn't disappoint. Labor Day was written for the screen as well as directed by him and because of the way he mapped it out, I now wouldn't mind reading the book, just to compare.
This wonderful film stars Kate Winslet as the damaged but fiercely protective mother Adele. Gattlin Griffith is the self aware Henry, her loving, heartbroken young son who takes on the role of man of the house nicely, that is until bleeding escaped convict Frank shows up and demands a ride. At first Adele rebuffs him but when Frank chillingly puts his hand on the back of Henry's neck, she relents because Henry is all she has in the world.
The entire story takes place in a span of only three days, the labor day weekend right before Henry is to start the 7th grade. It also primarily takes place in Adele's house which would be a challenge to any filmmaker but Jason handles it with aplomb. Instead of turning the house into a character, Jason turned it into a maze with turns and twists and off rooms that made the house seem bigger. When all three arrive at the house, Frank helps bring in the groceries, and after having his wound attended to, proceeds to repair things around the house that needed repair. He explained to Adele that she was being shorted by the fire wood salesman, he cooks for them, and while Adele is tied up, strictly for appearances should any neighbors stop by, he slowly feeds her a bowl of chili. And he lays down a path for Henry to follow by showing them how to bake a peach pie.
His plan is to make a run for the train but he's convinced to stay by both Adele and Henry for fear that his stitches from having his appendix removed may reopen. The reasons why they asked and Frank stayed are simple. Adele longed for human touch again, Henry longed for approval by a father figure, and Frank wanted to be needed again.
Labor Day is a wonderfully multi-layered yarn with rich characters who've been through and endured such pain, you wonder how they were able to carry on at times. The story takes place in 1987 so it was in the same time frame as when the film Super 8 takes place. The sets, the clothes, and the cars were era perfect. The film was shot beautifully, cinematographer Eric Steelberg did a wonderful job of capturing this movie just right. Nothing was too garish or too startling. It was never too bright or too dark, and the tones were perfect.
Scored by Rolfe Kent, the creative mind behind the music of Up In the Air, Thank You For Smoking, Reign Over Me and many others helps this movie come alive. The score is pitch perfect and it completes the puzzle beautifully. I highly recommend Labor Day, it is the one flawless film you would be sorry you missed, and I'll see you at the theater.
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