Limbo is a 1999 drama film written, directed, and produced by American filmmaker John Sayles. The drama features Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, David Strathairn, Vanessa Martinez and Kris Kristofferson.

In the United States, it was the first film released by the resurrected Screen Gems unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Plot

Set in an unnamed city in Alaska, Joe Gastineaux (Strathairn) is a former high school basketball star and fisherman who works as a handyman. Donna De Angelo (Mastrantonio) is a lounge singer. Noelle (Martinez) is Donna's daughter and a coworker of Joe's.

The first half of the film tells the relationship between Joe and Donna as they become romantically involved, and Donna negotiates a troubled relationship with her daughter.

Joe's dissolute brother takes the three along on a boat trip. The brother is murdered by drug dealers to whom he owes money and Joe, Donna, and Noelle are forced to seek shelter on an uninhabited island. The film takes its name, in part, from the uncertainty of their fate on the island.

Cast

• Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Donna De Angelo
• David Strathairn as "Jumpin Joe" Gastineau
• Vanessa Martinez as Noelle De Angelo
• Hermínio Ramos as Ricky
• Kris Kristofferson as "Smilin Jack" Johannson
• Dawn McInturff as Audrey
• Casey Siemaszko as Bobby Gastineau
• Kathryn Grody as Frankie
• Tom Biss as Baines
• Rita Taggart as Lou
• Leo Burmester as Harmon King
• Michael Laskin as Albright
• Jimmy MacDonell as Randy Mason
• Mérit Carlson-van Dort as Stacy
• Monica Brandner as Corky

Critical reception

Film critic Roger Ebert lauded the film and its story structure, writing, "What I liked so much about this story structure is that it confounded my expectations at every step. I expected the story to stay in Juneau, but it didn't. When it took a turn toward adventure, I thought the threat would come from nature--but it comes from men. After the three characters are stranded, I expected--I don't know what, maybe Swiss Family Robinson-style improvisation. But Sayles gradually reveals his buried theme, which is that in a place like the Alaskan wilderness you can never be sure what will happen next. And that optimism, bravery and ingenuity may not be enough.

Awards

Wins

• Seattle International Film Festival: Golden Space Needle Award; Best Director, John Sayles; 1999.
• National Board of Review: Special Recognition, for excellence in filmmaking; 1999.

Nominations

• Cannes Film Festival: Golden Palm, John Sayles; 1999.
• Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Award; Best Male Lead, David Strathairn, Best Supporting Female, Vanessa Martinez; 2000.
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Sierra Award; Best Actress, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio; 2000.

References

External links

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• Limbo screenplay at Script-O-Rama.