What makes it different from others?

Very well executed

Let's be realistic.

A Disappointing Continuation

I tend to favor Lawrence Kasdan movies, but "Grand Canyon" is a vexing one. In this post-"Crash" world, it seems like I can't look at a high-caliber film about human relations without some inherent baggage. Thanks for that, Haggis."Grand Canyon" smacks of Oscar bait, which is disappointing. And to be honest, I came away disliking a few of these characters (surprising, when they're played by Steve Martin and Kevin Kline; they're unlikely unsympathetic actors). Feels like every time we take a break for the social lesson, someone goes into another speech. What separates this from the more manipulative fare is that there's sincerity in those speeches; like Kasdan's desperately trying to work out that's puzzling him. There's merit to that, but the meandering pace and clunky delivery spoil the lesson.5/10

On a personal level take heart your troubles, even your triumphs are transitory and eventually of no import for you (however how you live your life does and will affect others)! That's the whole point of this movie and yet I failed to learn it's lesson and am continually stuck in the moment beset with regrets from the past and fears for the future and I know I'm playing a game that is fixed but more importantly temporary, yet I'm incapable of rising above the fray and see it for what it is, an accident! Because of my inability to separate my life and my reactions to life from this absurd game I make one mistake after another! Salman Rushdie said something very profound that sums up this movie beautifully (at least for me): "I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am anything that happens after I'm gone which would not have happened if I had not come." Salman you nailed it! By the way the movie is well worth a watch! I was very emotional whereas others I've talked with couldn't have cared less! Perspective based on life experience I suppose! There's a comment from another movie (Gladiator) that in this context seems rather cogent and it is the following: "What we do in life echos in eternity" (The law of conservation of energy?)! What an amazing quote! By the way the cast gave great performances save perhaps Steve Martin whose performance seemed, at times, stilted or perhaps more correctly not genuine! Therefore I couldn't rate this wonderful film 10 stars.

The Grand Canyon (Kasdan, 1991) is a film about the obstacles of life that people face on a daily occurrence and the impact these obstacles have on the rest of civilization. In this film there are four important characters that experience life changing events and each of these events either directly or indirectly affects another character in the film. The first character, Mack (Kevin Kline), ends up stranded in a poor neighborhood and is confronted by a street gang. The second character, Davis (Steve Martin), is shot in the leg by a man that is trying to take his Rolex wristwatch. The third character, Claire (Mary McDonnell), finds an abandoned infant on her morning jog. The fourth character, Simon (Danny Glover), finally finds love after being divorced for many years. The Grand Canyon National Park, becomes a metaphor for the theme of the film; that no matter how insignificant and out of control people may sometimes feel, they are still capable of bridging the gaps in their lives. All of the characters prove that despite their circumstances, they are able to find what they have been searching for all along. The focus of the film's theme is on mixed emotions. Another film with a similar type of theme would be The Royal Tenenbaums (Anderson, 2001); another story with several important characters whose personal experiences and actions are interconnected with other character's lives. In addition to the national park being conveyed as a metaphor to the film's theme, it is also used as a motif; being referenced several times throughout the film. The very first instance the national park is mentioned is actually on a television set. The second time it is referenced is when Mack and Simon are talking at the garage just after having towed Mack's car. Simon mentions that, after having seen the Grand Canyon up close one can really get a feel of just how small you really are in the world and how the events in your life are just little parts of a bigger picture. The reference to the national park not only highlights the metaphor being used but also foreshadows the ending of the story; that Mack will finally get to see the Grand Canyon.The cinematographer uses the objective point of view to convey depth in the film. One specific example of the use of the objective point of view is when Mack's car dies on a vacant street in a poor neighborhood; the camera is angled high with a clear view of the vacant street, Mack and his car, and the car being driven by a street gang that, soon confronts Mack and harasses him to get him out of his car. The depth of emotion that develops from the use of this type of camera angle also supports the mixed emotion theme of the film; it provides suspense and excitement while the viewer wonders what will happen next.I really enjoyed watching The Grand Canyon. Life is mysterious and full of devastating experiences and sometimes it is comforting to know that other people live in chaos too. The mixed emotions theme that was portrayed in the film is so realistic to the emotions people feel in everyday life. One moment life can make you feel the best you have ever felt and yet, in only a matter of seconds you could feel as though you have lost everything you have ever known. This film had a beautiful storyline and despite the clear visual indications of the era in which it was produced, the theme is unmistakably universal. Life will always be unpredictable.

Lawrence Kasdan's "Grand Canyon" runs a fairly long feeling 129 min before the credits begin to roll. It reminded me of a Robert Altman Lite format of a movie, but instead with themes of race, parenting, and relationships. Kevin Kline and Mary Mcdonnell command the most screen time and are more-or-less the center characters for the movie. They both do a good job with Kline his usual inquisitive self and she on the verge of break-down in several scenes. (spoiler) By far the worst character in the movie is of Steve Martin's rich "film director" who is implausibly shot and is mockishly 80s materialistic. He should not have been in the movie. Another thin character is given a side-show status played by Mary-Louise Parker supposedly having an affair. The writing and thus the tepidness of the affair is measly and a distraction. "Grand Canyon" is exploratory and almost philosophical at times in it's dialog especially with Kline, but characters emotions seem detached and aloof on the whole. You'd think for a movie about life, there would be more real living. Doesn't quite hit the mark but has some interesting dialog and scenes - definitely feels 90sish.