The United States Of Leland

Release Date: April 2, 2004
MPAA Rating: R for language and some drug content
Written and Directed by: Matthew Ryan Hoge
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Don Cheadle, Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Kevin Spacey, Michelle Williams, Martin Donovan, Ann Magnuson, Kerry Washington, Sherilyn Fenn, Maria Arcé, Michael Welch, Michael Pena

Plot:
This is the story of a sensitive teenager, Leland (Gosling), faced with issues of morality and hope under difficult circumstances, who is arrested and sent to juvenile hall, after he kills an autistic child out of sympathy (sort of like an emotional euthanasia). Once there, he meets a teacher, Mr. Pearl (Cheadle), who helps him figure out the reasons why he committed the crime, as we also see the ramifications of the murder have on his community, his family, and that of the victim.

Review:
Sometimes it takes a film to set the human race straight about its wrongdoings. The United States Of Leland plays out like an interview or a conversation with the full length history that has occurred with Leland Fitzgerald. He has committed a crime because he is lost of what to do and has a complete breakdown. With each mistake there is a reason or so we must believe.

Lead actor Ryan Gosling plays Leland P. Fitzgerald, a teenager with morality problems and has no hope towards anything. He is a teen with a very low self esteem, but at the same time is a very deep thinker and notices things that the average person would never see. He plays an incredibly intriguing character and his actions are odd, but realistic as we are all different.

Director Matthew Ryan Hoge debuts with a film that will certainly give him a reputation. Of course, like most films, he has his positive and his negative. However, there is denying the originality and his desire to not hold back anything that will interfere with his story. Respect is definitely an admirable quality for any director and people in general.

Matthew Ryan Hoge directs the film with calm and patience. What sets The United States Of Leland nicely is the fact that early on it is at zero and then slowly it begins to rise and by the conclusion of the film, it has earned its respect of solid storytelling. That's where this film ultimately works and the unexpected mysteries keeps the audience tied down to their seats.

While there is not much stunning from Matthew Ryan Hoge's direction, he sets up the scenes with tone and the pace is smooth for the entire running time. Its difficult to keep one interested when a film is constantly speaking to you about your mistakes and everything that seems awkward, but Matthew Ryan Hoge doesn't lost his touch with this film.

Many have compared The United States Of Leland to Donnie Darko. While both films are different, it has its similarities with its lead actors and their knowledge to express their utmost opinions or in their case, facts. While Donnie Darko would get angry at times, there is hardly a spark of anger in Leland and he tells his story without any emotion towards anything.

One of United States Of Leland's greatest accomplishments is the beautiful and dead truthful quotes that come out from Leland. These quotes are memorable for time to come and leaves a long lasting sensation that is even hard to explain. The word that was brought up the most in this film was sadness and it is the expressions that most have in the inside especially.

Not only does the film have incredible meanings, but it also has good acting from actor Don Cheadle. He is undeniably dramatized by this kid in a good way and even begins to write about him. I was drawn by his connection with Leland and with all his other problems in his regular life. If there was ever a book on Leland Fitzgerald, it would certainly be worth me purchasing it.

I enjoyed The United States Of Leland thoroughly because its a great film and the many messages it gives is something that not many films do or have trouble doing. By the tone of Leland voice everything fits together at the end and we all understand why he murdered a child. Sometimes there just isn't control over the things we do and say, but Leland is right and this film delivers.

The United States Of Leland is a thought provoking film and it analyzes everything without regret. The film relies on actors Ryan Gosling and Don Cheadle to tell this disturbing, but true story. This film is disturbing, not by scary images or threatening situations, but because of its realism and the sense to be honest. The United States Of Leland is not for everyone, but anyone with an open mind will understand the content.