Good story, Not enough for a whole film

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

A good movie if you carry a torch for Liv Tyler is STEALING BEAUTY. Of course that is the one that kick-started my 'affair' with her. There is also EMPIRE RECORDS, that one comes highly recommended by myself. Armageddon, yeah. But stick to those. I signed up for this movie in the name of Liv Tyler. Figured, yeah, well, there's Jennifer Connelly as well, but she's been around a long time, my focus was on Liv. Unfortunately, Liv is (well, I'm not gonna say it quite up front - suffice to say, still with a beautiful face, the cheekbone structure and the eyes, but...)Jennifer Connelly came to my attention ages ago in THE HOT SPOT, and I saw it when it was still fairly new on the video circuit. Made me take a look at THE ROCKETEER as well, though I can't remember that one... It was decades ago. As for THE HOT SPOT, that movie seems disregarded now, it was small, I suppose, but a lot better than this one.This thing however... Checked out in my research as a boring drama with nothing special to it. Then, listed by a user here on IMDb as one of his favorite hot movies, as a fellow-perve, another girl-watcher, spoke up, I took the leap, and went for it.It is not bad. But it is not good either. It has a boring pace. I don't wanna watch from the dorky boy's viewpoint, a guy who would paint sideburns on his face to be cool SAYS IT FREAKING ALL, how dumb-ass dial-tone can you get?And Liv has gotten big. There, I said it after all. Dammit, sob, wail, pretty things go to pot so soon...Fortunately, Hollywood seems to have agreed with Ms. Connelly. Seven years after THE HOT SPOT, she has regained much of her girlish charm. Good genes, really good genes. There is that face, that way she carries herself, that whole air around her that says "fun, fun, fun"... I have been considering another movie on that guy's list, CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. He did steer me in the right direction with EMPIRE RECORDS after all...I would not call this one a hot movie. It is too boring most of the time. It is plain, and that is its problem. It has no zing. The trailer showed me that clearly. And on the board, there were negative comments posted about Liv. But I had to see for myself. I'd have kicked myself right now. But Jennifer darling saved the movie from being a waste of time and effort for me. My score, however, gives it the full broadside it deserves. For it could and should have been something much better. Even though Liv is center-stage on the box cover, it focuses on the guys, who are just not interesting. Ugh!

This film masterfully illustrates how closely intertwined human lives are within and between families in a community. I ended up relating to these mid-20th-century White people from a small Midwestern town much more than I expected. There are some aspects of the human experience that are simply universal.All kinds of love are examined. Don't worry, it's not all romantic...this is a good date movie, but you will also enjoy this on your own.I was initially surprised at the casting choices. I've never seen Connelly play the wild, promiscuous role, or Phoenix act like such a shy, awkward geek. At first, I thought Tyler and Connelly should have switched parts. I thought the same about Phoenix and Billy Crudup. But I guess that's why these actors are so highly regarded; they all played their roles to the hilt, defying anyone who would typecast them. I have singled Connelly out before as a great example of an actress who brings the "girlfriend experience" to her films. This time, she gave us a glimpse of how that sweet, classy girlfriend can transform into a mind-blowing sex goddess behind closed doors...lucky Paul Bettany.For more reviews and a kick-ass podcast, check out www.livemancave.com

"In this classic coming-of-age tale, forbidden love and impossible dreams intertwine when the handsome, working class Holt brothers are drawn to the beautiful and wealthy Abbott sisters. With an all-star cast including Liv Tyler, Joaquin Phoenix, and Billy Crudup, 'Inventing the Abbotts' is," according to the DVD sleeve, a strongly told story "of hidden desires and romantic possibilities." Adding Jennifer Connelly and Joanna Going as the other two beautiful Abbott sisters gives you five good-looking performers engaged in various couplings. You will see that their "hidden desires" are all made fairly obvious. The film begins in 1957 small town Haley, Illinois, and has many obvious - but nice - period trappings. Ms. Connelly has an arousing topless scene.The story stresses the pairing of Mr. Phoenix (as Doug) and Ms. Tyler (as Pam), although Mr. Crudup (as Jacey) manages to steal most of the booty (both the film and the women). The "leads" suffer from being cast as teenagers. Doing the math (Phoenix is two years younger than high school senior Crudup) helps explain how they act. A fifteen-year-old would paint on "artificial sideburns" with India Ink while humming Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel". So, Phoenix is made to act unnaturally juvenile. As the most beautifully cast sisters, Ms. Going and Ms. Connelly excel in their smaller roles. You can also enjoy both Crudup's angst-ridden older brother, and secretive mother Kathy Baker (as Helen).****** Inventing the Abbotts (4/4/97) Pat O'Connor ~ Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crudup, Liv Tyler, Kathy Baker

This takes place in Illinois from 1957 to 1960. It's about two poor brothers--Doug (Joaquin Phoenix) and Jacey (Billy Crudup)--who are infatuated with three rich sisters--Alice (Joanna Going), Eleanor (Jennifer Connrlly) and Pamela (Liv Tyler) Abbott. It follows their relationships over the years.Why this film was made remains a mystery to me. It's very well-done with an attractive cast and beautiful settings--but there's nothing even remotely new here. The conflicts and story lines here have been done countless times before (just here they're updated with minor nudity and some very R rated language). Also, at almost two hours, it's far too long. I was basically pretty bored during the last hour and was just patiently waiting for things to reach their utterly predictable conclusion. Also the acting by Connelly and Crudup was pretty terrible. Connelly just giggles and acts vacant and Crudup seems unwilling to move one muscle in his face. He always has this blank expression on his face no matter what's happening in his scenes. The great acting by the rest of the cast (especially Phoenix and Kathy Baker) and the lush settings make this worth watching at least once. But seriously--you've seen this all before. Narrated by an unbilled Michael Keaton. I give it a 6.