Regular Price $14.98

Starring: Marshall Bell,  Tom Bower,  Veronica Cartwright,  Irma P. Hall,  John Hawkes, 
Directed By:
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 1999
Studio: Lions Gate
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about A Slipping Down Life

Amazon.com
Guy Pearce (Memento) and Lili Taylor (Six Feet Under) prove inspired casting for this otherwise mixed adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel. Taylor is Evie, a shy young woman stuck in a dead-end job (she wears a rabbit costume at a kiddie park) and living with her withdrawn father (Tom Bower). Something leaps to life in Evie when she hears the music of local wannabe rock star "Drum" Casey (Pearce), and she begins to live for his success--not as a groupie, but as a deeply stirred convert who even carves his name in her forehead. The two join over a mutual sense of mission and even marry, but as soon as the wildness in Evie's heart is tempered, Drum's self-doubt goes through the roof. Actress Toni Kalem (Sister Act) makes her directorial debut and, while she does an exceptional job shaping performances, the film is distractingly busy and weak in structure. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews for A Slipping Down Life

Love, Love, LOVE This Movie!
This is one of those movies that you can watch again and again and never get tired of. Guy Pearce is dreamy, and Lili Taylor is amazing as always. A feel-good work of art.A Slipping Down Life

Another Indie Gem
As usual, the uniquely beautiful Lili Taylor is cast as a plain, inhibited woman and once again, she takes a role that must have seemed fairly bland on paper and fills it with what starts as a bud and becomes a bloom. She portrays a child-woman without much hope and a delicate psyche.
Guy Pearce once again shows his versitility by portraying a talented singer whose career is stagnant due mostly to his Dylanesque monologues. He's the epiomy of the misunderstood artist, who has so much to say but no one cares to hear it.
Lili Taylor is the perfect mix of subtle and shocking, while on her road to an improbable life with Pearce. I found the scenes between her and her father very touching, as well. While waiting for the tragic outcome that seems inevitable, the movie unfolds so much like life. Slowly; two steps forward, one step back.
I was left unexplainably moved by the movie. Somewhere in the middle, it grabs your emotions without you even being aware of it. You really CARE what becomes of these two different yet equally lost people, and the end, while realistic, doesn't dissapoint.A Slipping Down Life

Guy Pearce is great ...
... and so is the rest of the cast, especially Shawnee Smith. I would say it's worth watching this movie just to hear Guy sing. The plot is a bit unbelievable, but it's still enjoyable.A Slipping Down Life

Unforgettable and inspired, that's for sure...
I really liked this movie on a lot of levels. Incredible acting from EVERYONE --inspired acting from many members of the cast. I liked the WHOLE MOVIE, except for the contact lens scene. Now, I have to read the book!A Slipping Down Life

Strangely Compelling Story With An Amazing Soundtrack
Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce are totally convincing as two eccentric characters struggling with loneliness and longing for a different life than their sleepy Southern town has offered them so far.

A few interesting plot twists and amazing music make up for the areas where the film falters. The supporting characters are a bit cliched and the framework wasn't always fully laid down for the viewer to understand the character's motivations.

However, I do feel this film is underappreciated. Pearce and Taylor's realization of these characters surpasses the minor flaws. Guy Pearce manages a Jim Morrison-esque sexiness and impressive vocals in the musical sequences. I also highly recommend the Soundtrack album for this film.A Slipping Down Life