|
|
List Price: $27.98Amazon.com's Price: $24.99 You Save: $2.99 (11%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Now!
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal
EAN: 0025195029391
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Release Date: January 29, 2008
Running Time: 101 minutes
Sales Rank: 19498
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Editorial Review:
Description:
When Mary's (Marcia Gay Harden) mental illness puts herself and her family in jeopardy, her husband (Joe Pantoliano) and son (Devon Gearhart) helplessly watch as she is torn from the family by the police. Forced to raise a boy on his own and cope with his wife's schizophrenia, father and son learn what it is to truly be a family. Inspired by a true story, this critically acclaimed and award winning film is as full of hope and humor as it is heartbreaking performances.
Amazon.com:
Inspired by first-hand experience, Canvas handles the mental illness of a family member with sympathy and sensitivity. Ten-year-old towhead Chris (newcomer Devon Gearhart) lives on the Florida coast with his construction worker father, John (Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano, The Sopranos), and amateur artist mother, Mary (Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, Pollock). Since a diagnosis of schizophrenia 18 months ago, Mary's behavior has grown increasingly erratic. John's insurance company refuses to cover her medication, and she refuses to take it. To add insult to injury, his mother embarrasses Chris publicly and classmates make fun of her outbursts. When Mary’s paranoid delusions result in institutionalization, John becomes Chris's sole caretaker. To take their minds off their problems, John starts building a sailboat and Chris picks up sewing. To the boy’s surprise, his customized T-shirts catch on with the local girls, like Dawn (Sophia Bairley), who thinks his overly-demonstrative mother is 'nice' (she finds her own hippie-dippy mom more embarrassing). For the Marino men, these creative pursuits help them to feel useful rather than helpless. Produced by Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies) and George Hickenlooper (Factory Girl), Joseph Greco's semi-autobiographical debut has the soft-edged camera work and generic guitar score of a Lifetime movie (it begins with seagulls flying in slow motion). Fortunately, above-average-acting--particularly from Pantoliano--and a non-melodramatic approach to a usually-sensationalized subject win out in the end. It’s an emotionally true look at an all-too-common dilemma. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - True, Touching, Thoughtful
Canvas is a really true film... the reactions of the patients to the medication is very honestly portrayed...
The child's trauma and the way he handles it is very touching...
and every aspect of the film is thoughtfully executed.
Rating:  - As I Expected
Most people who rent this movie who feel they may be able to relate to the story will be much satisfied. The film does well depict some of the struggles that are created between a family when even one person between them suffers from a mental illness. I don't feel we go deep into any of the characters but rather get a touch of what it's like for all the family.
I didn't expect this movie to accurately portray a schizophrenic, but I was hoping it would have. I've seen my share of schizophrenics, ... Read More
Rating:  - Script knocks this DVD down to the canvas
While the acting in "Canvas" is first rate, the story suffers from a weak script. The first rule of drama is that the protagonist (the son in this case) must strive to change his circumstances and, in so doing, encounter and overcome ever increasing obstacles. The writer-director tosses out this rule and allows all difficulties to be overcome by almost magical coincidences without any effort or intent by the boy or even his father. It is a modern example of "deus ex machina" or "machine of the gods" plot ... Read More
Rating: - Authentic Portrayal of a Child with a Schizophrenic Parent
I have to admit that it was hard for me to watch this movie. A little seven-year-old girl somehow found our family many years ago. When we learned that her mom suffered from schizophrenia we told her that whenever her mom was off her medicine, and she didn't make a meal, this little girl should come to our house and we'd feed her. Over the years, she also slept at our house many times. Her last day of high school she ate breakfast with our kids and said she was really going to miss those times as part of ... Read More
Rating:  - canvas dvd
The movie was sad but educational. I wish they showed more symptoms of the disorder instead of a just a little bit.
|
|
