Georgia

Running time: N/A

Sadie's not Georgia. Georgia is a folk-rock legend, with a pure, strong voice , "no ambition," and a contented family life on the outskirts of Seattle. Sadie is the dregs of the bottle Janis Joplin was drinking from, a raspy-throated, no-holds-barred singer whose art is all about revealing absolutely everything, with a voice that may not be able to stand up to the challenge. Through all Sadie's screw-ups, Georgia has been there. Not an easy role at either end. It tends to ennoble one half and embitter the other. Still, she takes Sadie in, of course. To the family home, bought with Georgia's money when it came up for sale. Over her Thanksgiving preparations, Georgia says warmly to Sadie that she wants her to be truly happy. Sadie cackles, "You want to be trouble-free." Georgia charts the ebb and flow of love between a pair of sisters who have the misfortune to be at the high and low end of the same profession. The movie is not unlike Sadie, fearless about the risks it takes. Remarkable performances by both Mare Winningham (achieving an Oscar nomination) and Jennifer Jason Leigh give the film its incredible surge of power, but it is Jennifer Jason Leigh who is remembered most with a breathtaking, punishing, stunning performance. --Sheila Benson - Microsoft Cinemania