Tumbleweeds
Director: Gavin O'Connor
98 minutes (12) 2000
EV rental
review by Ceri Jordan

Mary Jo is a romance junkie. She lives for those first few months of blissful infatuation - but as soon as the relationship hits trouble, she's packed and gone, dragging her ten-year-old daughter Ava to another town, another state and, inevitably, another doomed relationship. Arriving in San Diego, Ava makes friends, kisses a boy for the first time, and lands the lead in the school play. When her mother's latest relationship breaks down, Ava is determined to stop events from repeating themselves. But can Mary Jo stop running from her problems, and from herself?
   There are no real surprises in Tumbleweeds: no clever writing, no flashy direction, and no profound insights into dysfunctional relationships. Mary Jo's transformation from man-hunter to self-reliant woman is convincing enough, but it costs her nothing: we wonder why it's taken her so long to make what appears to be an obvious decision. This is a warm and comparatively lightweight feelgood movie, and it knows it. Its major strength is in its central performances: Janet McTeer's Oscar nominated turn as Mary Jo, and Kimberly J. Brown's tremendous performance as Ava. The depth of their relationship, complete with private jokes and bickering, gives the film a solid centre.
   The plot is predictable, and the school play, which might have provided an ironic counterpoint to the main action, is finally glossed over in favour of providing Ava with her first boyfriend. However, if you're in the mood for light romance, it's a pleasant enough way to while away an evening.

DOWSE Guide to the Movies is compiled by Tony Lee editor of Pigasus Press
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