Classic Review: Labor Day (2013)

Certain films feature scenes that will forever be associated with them and earning a place in viewers’ memories. Jack drawing Rose in Titanic, Tom Hanks playing a giant-sized piano in Big, the “give my daughter the shot” in Terms of Endearment. All of those scenes are landmarks moments of those films. Labor Day also has one of those scenes: the peach pie scene. It’s subtle but very powerful. The sexual tension between Winslet and Brolin is palpable and they turn this very simple moment into an electrifying one.

Labor Day follows Frank (Brolin), a convict who escaped prison before finding a hiding place at the home of Adele (Winslet) and her son Henry (Griffith). Adele is severely depressed, relegating Henry to the adult of the house for the most part. She doesn’t have strength enough to fight back as Frank forces himself into their lives very easily. In time, he and Adele become involved as Henry sees his mother blossom again. But things are far more complicated than they seem.

Labor Day is a film that doesn’t seem to fit into Reitman’s filmography but at the same time it totally does. Reitman, known for dramedies like Juno and Up in the Air, delivers a straight up heavy drama that doesn’t necessarily seem to fit his mold. However, while watching the film, his mark, in a way, is completely noticeable throughout, and it is quite nice to see how he adapts his directorial style to this different genre.

Meanwhile, the building of the tension has to be praised. In the beginning, when Adele and Henry become Frank’s hostages, Reitman creates a disturbing sense of uncertainty in the air. We don’t know what will happen, and we are constantly ignited by the danger. Once Adele and Frank become more involved, the tension changes but it is still there, very much felt through the entire film. They are in love, but he is still a fugitive. The way Reitman uses the editing, the silences and the soundtrack to enhance those moments was truly masterful.

One characteristic that viewers can find in all Reitman’s movies, including Labor Day, is how much detail he can instill in the film without resorting to dialogue. This is a film that demands attention, something not many could say of most films. There’s a lot being said, just not by the actors. Reitman’s laid-back direction helps in that matter. He never resorts to histrionics in the technical departments. He constructs the narrative through the character’s journey, and that is why his movies always feel so personal. In the end, none of that would work if not for the right actors. Thankfully, he has Winslet and Brolin who were totally on fire. Winslet especially, as Adele, always excels at these types of melodramas. She always pulls us in without going too overboard. Griffith, a great young actor, also deserves some praise as her son Henry.

The only problem with Labor Day was with its third act as it became corny and melodramatic. While it’s not overdone to the point of being awful, it just slightly pushes it into soap opera territory. In the end, the film is still a worthwhile experience.

still courtesy of Paramount Pictures

If you like this review, look me up on Instagram for more suggestions.

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel.

leandromatos1981