Sleepwalking

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Solid performances and a touching central relationship between a simple, good-hearted man and his 11-year-old niece are some compensation for a generally downbeat tale that never entirely rings true.

"Sleepwalking" (Overture) is a somber working-class story of a good-hearted construction worker, James Reedy (Nick Stahl), who bonds with his sister's 11-year-old daughter, Tara (AnnaSophia Robb), when her promiscuous mother, Joleen (Charlize Theron, who also produced the film) suddenly deserts them, after a particularly intense sexual encounter with the latest man in her life. (Joleen's husband is in jail for drug dealing.)

Stung by her mother's absence, Tara is at first unresponsive, but after time, softens toward her uncle's sincere efforts to help her. And for the first time in his life, James finds he has a purpose.

He soon loses his both his job, partly because of the time he's spending with Tara, and his rental apartment, leading social workers to place the girl in an uncongenial foster home. Eventually, she and James hit the road, masquerading as father and daughter.

Though James take odd jobs, they run out of money, and James brings Tara to stay with the abusive farmer father (Dennis Hopper) he hasn't seen for years. The pair continues their charade, telling Mr. Reedy they are simply there on vacation.

The coldhearted, no-nonsense farmer puts them to work doing back-breaking chores. With no other options, they meekly do the old man's bidding, until the inevitable conflict you just know is waiting to happen.

Performances, including those of Woody Harrelson and Deborra-Lee Furness as James' concerned workmates Randall and Danni, are finely drawn. Stahl is particularly empathetic in projecting decency and unwavering dedication to his niece's welfare, with the ubiquitous Robb is extremely adept at the limning the child's conflicted feelings. Theron again demonstrates her versatility, conveying the hurt and vulnerability underneath her white-trash brassiness.

Ultimately, though, first-time director William Maher's film -- from an original script by Zac Stanford -- is more sordid than uplifting (despite its affirming message of new beginnings), and the ending (which we won't spoil), though redemptive in one sense, is morally problematic in another.

The film contains pervasive rough language and some profanity, a sexual encounter without nudity, some frank sexual remarks, domestic violence and murder, underage smoking. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

---

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops