Edward Burns Box Set - The Brothers McMullen, She's The One, No Looking Back

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The third film in writer-director-actor Edward Burns's "Long Island Trilogy" is in some ways the slightest of the three, and that's a blessing and a curse. By keeping things spare, Burns is able to focus on the simple, honest humanity of his story, which centers on the emotional dilemma of Claudia (Lauren Holly), a small-town waitress whose engagement to blue-collar Michael (Jon Bon Jovi) is challenged when old flame Charlie (Burns) returns after an extended absence. Their shared history includes an abortion that left Claudia feeling abandoned and resentful, and for good reason, given Charlie's reputation for self-involved aloofness.

As in his previous films, Burns demonstrates a subtle hand with actors and a keen awareness of life's authentic rhythm; this movie will strongly affect anyone who can relate to Claudia's need to find herself, independent of her tenuous relationships. The performances are uniformly superb: Holly expresses the confusion and seeking quality of her character; Burns makes Charlie both charming and bluntly self-serving; and Bon Jovi shows strong potential beyond his rock-star handsomeness. Indeed, the film's only weakness is that it's stretched too thin to be truly substantial, and Burns relies far too heavily on a soundtrack (with heavy doses of Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow) that too often substitutes for dialogue. It's as if Burns didn't trust his own material; he needn't have been so insecure. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Edward Burns Box Set.......2006-11-04

I have been waiting years for this affordable release. The only thing that could have made me happier would be the release of a soundtrack for No Looking Back.

The Brothers McMullen is not my favorite movie. In my opinion, it is the weakest of the three. The acting is ok, the story line is predictable, and the characters just don't pull you in and make you care a whole lot about them. She's the One is much better.

But, my favorite is No Looking Back. Jon Bon Jovi does a great job in this film! He once again proves that some music stars CAN cross the bridge into acting. All of the actors are able to make you care about them and the outcome of the dilema that makes up the backbone of the movie. The music (Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sheryl Crow) sets a tone that is accentuated by the cinematography. You can practically feel the chill in the air at the beginning of the movie when the camera's eye scans the "Jersey Shore". The bleakness of the background is representative of the despair felt by the characters.

I wholeheartedly recommend this box set if for nothing more than to see No Looking Back. Which, by the way, had previously cost more to purchase on its own than the box set is now. My advice, when it comes in--grab a blanket, pop the DVD in the machine and then curl up on the couch to watch it. It's one of those movies you won't soon forget!

Reminded me of home*.......2006-06-30

I have been reading some of the reviews on this movie and I agree with all who thought the film was great. I didn't see anything missing other than a good fistfight scene between Michael and Charlie once Michael knew he and Claudia spent the night together.

The cast did an excellent job and the town this movie was filmed in reminded me of home. I'm a native of NJ and having filmed this movie at one of the Jersey shores was very real in the fact that its cold and rainy alot of the time. Many of the scenes actualized how the day to day grind and "comfortable" feeling life can be at times. The characters depicted real choices we all have for a different, yet uncertain path or stay in the "known". The scene at the laundromat is exactly how they look back home and the row houses and even the town diners. Ed Burns is awesome and really put alot of thought into making this movie be as realistic as possible for the location he chose to film it in.

I adore Jon Bon Jovi and even met him at Seaside Heights, NJ many years ago before he was ever famous and he was sweet and talented then as he is now as an actor.

KUDOS!!

Very enjoyable film & a MUST SEE for any Jon Bon Jovi fan!.......2006-01-05

The title of my review says it all. I enjoyed the movie and the cast did an excellent job. I'm delighted to own this film.

A Favorite.......2005-12-07

This is one of my favorite movies. I love the music and the story. While it's no longer available for individual sale you can still get it in the boxed set. Stores From Long Island: 3 films by Edward Burns. For just a few dollars more than the used price of one DVD you can get 3 great movies.

real life movie.......2005-08-04

a fragile sentimental situation, the cold and damp atlantic NE weather, the feeling that your future hangs on someone's else decision, a small town...

I've been there, and this movie captures all the above perfectly. With the help of a haunting soundtrack rediscovering (discovering?) unknown classics like Patti Scialfa dishing out rumble doll just like if it was one of Bruce's gem. A movie to watch alone, on a late Sunday afternoon

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