One investment scheme fails after the next, until the only asset remaining is the family’s impressive wine collection. With the mad determination of a man drowning in unforgiving waters, Ross decides to sell the collection in order to buy a defunct manganese mine which borders Sachem Farm.
“Manganese? Manganese? Even the word sounds ludicrous,” points out sensible girlfriend Kendal (Minnie Driver), who is totally insensible when it comes to her old boyfriend Tom, who is a neighbor of Ross’s and an ex-Olympic diving champion “living his life out at the end of a diving board” at the farm’s private pond. Strange? Oh yes. And it gets stranger as the mysterious Laurie enters the picture along with Mr. Tang, international wine merchant and music impresario. Meanwhile Uncle Cullen’s titanium pillar gets built and he climbs to the top to live out his life with a different world view; all the while shepherding the family he loves, swirling about in their problems down below.
Although slightly confusing at the beginning, hang in there. All becomes clear eventually, and the resolution of this film’s storyline is worth the wait. The soundtrack is delightful, and the slightly manic, slightly disjointed, impressionistic film style perfectly mirrors the dynamics of the unfolding human drama. Interestingly enough, I never knew that this film – my all-time favorite spiritual movie (uh, well, except for Groundhog Day) - featured Mark Vicente as director of photography. He was blown away when one day I mentioned how much I admired this little known work. And I, for some reason, was equally startled by his participation.
Ah, synchronicity. Anyway – enjoy!
