Labor Day the new Jason Reitman film starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin MN preview screenings review thread - five chances to win cinema tickets! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the Mumsnetters who attended one of the exclusive MN preview screenings of Labor Day on the 18th of March. We hope you all had a great time and enjoyed the film!

From Academy Award® winning director Jason Reitman, "Up In The Air", "Juno", comes "Labor Day". A story that centres on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele (Kate Winslet) while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

You can view the film trailer here:

Below are a few questions for you to answer but please do add any other comments you may have.

We'd also love it if you could upload some pictures from the screening to this thread.

• What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
  
• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  
• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  
• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  
• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

As an extra bonus: everyone who adds their review here will be entered into a prize draw where five winners will win a pair of cinema vouchers!

Thanks!
MNHQ

PS If you are a blogger and have blogged about the film please do add your blog to our 'linky' here

[Lovecat]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with? It was mobbed - went to the Vue West End, took my SIL.

What was your overall opinion of the film? Excellent, if emotionally draining

Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your poster quote An Emotional Rollercoaster

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest) 4, I really enjoyed it.

What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it Difficult to say, it was all beautifully acted and so well done. I'd probably go for the ending, when they're reunited, because all the way through the film I was on the edge of my seat thinking it was going to end horribly. As for the flashbacks for both Frank and Adele... I was glad I was wearing waterproof mascara!

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why? Some friends/family, yes. While I know that DH would like it if he happened to come across it on TV on a Sunday afternoon, it's not the sort of film he'd be immediately drawn to (or admit to wanting to see, at any rate). But I would recommend it to most of my friends who I know like a more thoughtful film; even though I found the tension almost unbearable at times, it was very enjoyable.

[DurhamDurham]

• What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
  

The screening was full, we walked in about 5 mins before the film started and struggled to find seats, we had to sit at the front. I took my 16 year old daughter with me. We went to Metrocentre Odeon.

• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  

The film was 'interesting', it proved to be a good talking point all the way home. I didn't really like the two main adult characters, the young actor playing Henry was very good. I thought the acting was good throughout but I struggled to feel much empathy most of the time. The term Stockholm Syndrome kept popping in to my head. I think the ending was good, he was seen to have paid for his crimes and then they did get to have their happy ending. My daughter came out asking lots of questions, she could not believe that someone could fall in love with a person who had held them hostage. How did she know she really did love him, he just happened to be the first person who paid her any attention and found her at her most vulnerable. Not sure I would want my daughter to take away the message that the film was conveying, but at least it got us talking.

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  

'Think Stockholm Syndrome'

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  

3 stars

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  

I was moved in the scene when she held her still born baby girl, it wasn't overdone but it was very effective. Not sure why her husband wasn't there when the baby was brought to her, she did seem to be all alone in the world.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

I would talk about the film to friends and family, not sure recommend is the right word. I didn't love it but I did find it very interesting. I didn't think either of the main adult characters were very likeable, he did kill his wife ( even if it was an accident, he was violent towards her ) and she did put her son at huge risk through her action/inaction. I have plenty to say about the film so it will be discussed in the office tomorrow and inwouldmlike other people to see it so I can find out their thoughts on it.

As an extra bonus: everyone who adds their review here will be entered into a prize draw where five winners will win a pair of cinema vouchers!

[gazzalw]

Well great for me to make all the effort to go into Central London (from work way over the other side of London) for the screening, only not to be able to get in - no seats left at all....so a wasted journey...Not happy! Chaos!

So please can this be accepted as a review!

[AnnMumsnet]

Oh no - so sorry Gazzalw

[Stripytop]

What was the screening like? Very full, and we were late! but managed to get two good seats without disrupting anyone.

Which one did you go to? We went to The Printworks in Manchester which was nice as I haven't seen a film there before.

Who did you go for the screening with? A friend

What was your overall opinion of the film? Despite the slow start (and missing the first 5 mins didn't help), I liked it so much more than I thought I would. I'm not a big Kate Winslet fan (all that gushing and lip quivering), but I thought she was really good in this. I liked the characters and the outcome for Henry.

Please give a brief, three word review of the film Worth sticking with.

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? 4stars

What was your favourite scene in the film? I don't think I have a 'favourite' scene, but the Peach cobbler scene was hilarious! This was were Frank teaches Adele and Henry how to make Peach Cobbler. This is conducted (as is most of the film) with lots of sweaty sexy overtones, and overlong camera shots of the three of them with their hands in a bowl of squishy peach all at the same time. Adele has a crisis of confidence putting the pastry on the top of the pie but Frank comes to the rescue with his big reassuring manly ways, and all is ok in the end.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Yes, it was a good film, and I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

[iseenodust]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?

Went with a friend who also loves books/films/theatre. The screening was full with a variety of ages.

• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  

Visually it was a treat. The acting was uniformly strong (not always a Kate Winslet fan), especially liked the young girl who provided the necessary moments of light relief. I struggled with the credibility of the first part of the story and confused myself by not realising straight away that the early flashbacks were not the young Adele. I did find myself drawn into it more as it went on (jumped at one point, sniffled at another) and the ending was a satisfactory one.
I don't know why but the cinematography reminded me of Chocolat (which I haven't seen in years so that may be a red herring!). I haven't read the book on which this film was based and would stab a guess it's a novella rather than a full blown novel.
I came away thinking it was a good film of some substance in the same way I think We Need To Talk About Kevin is a good book but you need to be in an OK frame of mind before you start.

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  

Tension, tragedy, thought-provoking.

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  

4

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  

The brief moment when they are in the garden, and having played baseball take a moment to look up at the dappled sunlight playing on the leaves, with Frank turning the wheelchair.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

Yes. I feel a lot of my friends would consider it an interesting and good quality movie, and can see us having a subsequent chat about the issues.

[Whatsforpudding]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to?
I went to the West End Vue, and the cinema was full.

Who did you go for the screening with? I took a female friend.

What was your overall opinion of the film? I really enjoyed it. It was beautifully shot, and the cast were excellent, especially the young boy Henry. The tension was maintained well, the emotional undercurrents were well portrayed, and there was plenty to think and talk about afterwards. At times it was a bit cliched, but it got away with it!

Please give a brief, three word review of the film Moving and gripping.

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? 4

What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it I don't have a favourite scene, but I enjoyed the feeling of languorous late summer heat that permeated the film.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why? Yes, I would recommend it to anyone who liked emotional drama, as it was very well conveyed.

[Lovecat]

whatsforpudding, I did think you could tell it was a mumsnet audience - the gasp of utter horror in the cinema when Evelyn hit her son! Thinking about it, can I add that we were giggling a little at the amount of work Frank did around the house - more than DH manages in a year... SIL said that he could take her hostage any time if he'd mend the car and clean her gutters... :o

[devientenigma]

Lovecat, not to mention his white top never got dirty haha

[devientenigma]

What was the screening like? Full !

Which one did you go to? metrocentre odeon

Who did you go for the screening with? DH

What was your overall opinion of the film? we both enjoyed it even though it was technically a love story and we were expecting crime! Bumped into fellow MN 5inthebed before it started who said it was a love story and we were in shock lol

Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote" emotional, intense, inspiring

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest) 4

What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it favourite scene in the film, was the reaction of the audience when the neighbour hit her disabled son! shows mn could be changing attitudes towards disability! or that Geordies are thoughtful and caring! We had to get a carer in to look after our disabled son for us to go and being a free night out made it great especially when my heating bill has just come through but then that's another awareness Fred. I also enjoyed the whole scene of the boy in the wheelchair, especially when his mother said stick him in front of the TV, yet Frank looked past his disability and included him, this is how we all should be. Behaviour happens for a reason and obviously the mother did not know how to communicate with her son, top that with stress and everything else that comes with raising a disabled child, it could push anyone to do what she done, I saw it coming and was sitting saying don't don't !!

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why? yes I would as it wasn't your usual love story and it had a great ending!

[Whatsforpudding]

Lovecat yes, it was interesting in itself to see an audience mostly made up of Mumsnetters, and their reactions were as I would expect! I knew I was in the right place when I saw lots of women of my age in the queue clutching their print-outs of the ticket. One person let the side down though, and was snoring during the film!

[devientenigma]

There was a mixed audience in ours, plenty of men including those that didn't come with women, there was also a group of 4 giggling schoolgirls, they must of only been 12/13, it made me wonder who they were on mn

[NoMoreMarbles]

• What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
  

I went to Liverpool Odeon and took my mum :) It was quite busy but there were spare seats so it wasn't full.

• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  

Overall i enjoyed the film but i did think the story line was a little far fetched and in places it was painfully dull... my mum LOVED it though as it was exactly her cup of tea!

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  

Fraught with emotion...

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  

maybe a 3 or 4...

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  

The scene where Frank was pushing the boy in the wheelchair in circles so he could see the sun through the leaves. that was a lovely moment but maybe didnt sit well with the "facts" of the story...

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

I maybe wouldnt insist they pay to see it at the pictures...it is worth a watch but im quite glad i didnt pay to see it. My mum would have paid twice over to watch it and said she may go see it again when it is released.

[ilove]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with? DH, to Showcase in Leeds. It was packed!

• What was your overall opinion of the film? Absolutely brilliant!

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote" Tense and gripping

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest) me - 5, DH - 4
• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it

loved the ending, the way they came back together and that Henry was settled and happy, loved the scenes with the disabled child, loved it all to be honest

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?

To most friends yes, and rave about it, but the friends I have who have had a baby born sleeping, no...

[malteser17]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to?
I went to the Printworks in Manchester. It wasn't full but it was quite busy.

Who did you go for the screening with?
I took a female friend.

What was your overall opinion of the film?
It was very enjoyable with tension combined with a few humourous moments which balanced out the underlying tension and emotion. I thought the acting was excellent especially that of Henry. Although I thought the ending was a little predictable that in no way detracted from the enjoyment of the film

Please give a brief, three word review of the film
Thought-provoking and emotional

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film?
4

What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
I think for me it was Adele describing to Frank the story of her miscarriages and then the stillbirth. It was a factual account yet full of the hurt and anger at the same time.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
Yes, I would recommend it as it was thought-provoking and also an original story-line which is so rare in films these days

[GinSoakedMisery]

• What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
  

Metrocentre Odeon, took my mum (apologies to everyone there, she doesn't have a cinema voice). It was full, mostly women and yes Dev, was rather at the group of 4 teenage girls.

• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  

I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a good story line that kept you gripped and I thought it had ended when Hank baked his first pie, but glad it didn't as that ending would have annoyed me.
I thought all the actors and actresses were very well cast, especially Hank.

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  

Love comes unexpectedly

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  

4

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  

I didn't really have a favourite scene. Maybe the scene where Barry was there and they played baseball with him rather than stuck him infront of the television. But maybe that's because I am a parent of a child with SN and it was a touching scene. I was shocked when he was slapped by his mother.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

Yes as it is a film I know some of my friends would enjoy.

[CrispyHedgeHog]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to?
I went to the Holloway Odeon and it was full.. a few people weren't able to get in. There were quite a lot of men in the audience which surprised me.

Who did you go for the screening with?
My 23yo dd

What was your overall opinion of the film?
I liked it but thought it dragged on a bit at times - it could probably have been about 15 mins shorter without losing much.

Please give a brief, three word review of the film
Thoughtful, emotive.

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film?
3.5

What was your favourite scene in the film?
When Frank was teaching Henry to play baseball.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
Yes, I think I would when it comes out on dvd though.

[MyLeftElbow]

- What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?

We went to the Metrocentre cinema, it was absolutely packed! I went with my best mate. I was also a bit at the teenage girls, and there were most definitely some under 12's there with their parents.

- What was your overall opinion of the film?

I enjoyed it. Having watched the trailer I was expecting a romantic slow-paced film - but it was actually quite scary in places. I wasn't expecting to be that engrossed in it to be honest. There were a couple of times that we actually jumped (loud, unexpected noises etc) and pretty much the whole audience gasped when Barry's mother slapped his face.

- Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"

Gripping, Dramatic, Tearjerker.

- Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

4.5


- What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it

There was a bit where Henry thought that his Mother was moving to Canda without him, and his eyes filled with tears - it was so beautifully filmed. It brought me to tears.

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?

I would recommend it to friends and family, but probably as a DVD as a lot of my friends and family can't really afford the cinema!

[highlandcoo]

• What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
  

West End Vue in London - it was packed. I went with my husband.

• What was your overall opinion of the film?
  

I enjoyed it. But perhaps more like a film I would watch on TV to pass the time rather than one I would beat a path to the cinema to see.
I liked the three main actors, particularly Henry, but I found some of the direction - as mentioned up-thread, the scene with the peach cobbler elicited laughter from the audience - a bit overwrought. And the flash-backs telling Frank's story I initially found confusing.

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"
  

Absorbing but far-fetched.

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
  

3.5

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it
  

I wouldn't describe it as a favourite scene but the moment when the woman hit her disabled son was powerful and shocking.
The general atmosphere of the film and the evocation of summer in a small town in America in the eighties is very effective.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?
  

Yes, to some friends who I think would enjoy it - to women more than men I think.

[EstoyAqui]

I didn't get in either. :( it was full when we arrived. I went to Chinatown for dimsum instead.

[WingDefence]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?
I went to Preston on my own. The screening was like going to watch a normal film...

• What was your overall opinion of the film?

It was better than I actually thought it was going to be!

• Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"

Better than expected (not sure if you can put that on a poster though!)

• Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

4

• What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it

The ending made me weepy so I think that scene.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?

Yes - I loved the interplay between the two main characters and Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin are fantastic actors who were perfect in their roles. I think I would tell friends and family that it isn't a straightforward rom com and that it tells an unusual story in a captivating way.

[EstoyAqui]

Ha ha "better than expected". I'd love to see that on a poster. Right up there with "meh, it filled an evening"!

[SheherazadeSchadenfreude]

"What was the screening like?"

I don't know. We misheard the man's directions to the studio and ended up watching Grand Budapest Hotel instead!

[maggiemight]

This film was previewed on BBC breakfast tv as terrible. But the critic was a man so perhaps it's a woman's film.

I don't normally watch breakfast tv so can't tell you who the critic was. I was just surprised at how he trashed it.

[katiesam77]

What was the screening like? Which one did you go to? Who did you go for the screening with?

The screening was fairly full at Teeside. I went with family and there seemed to be a fairly good mix of men and women at the event.

What was your overall opinion of the film?

I really enjoyed the film. It drew my attention from the very beginning and I was engrossed right until the credits rolled at the end. The characters were very believable and Kate Winslet played a great part.

Please give a brief, three word review of the film - your "poster quote"

Fate, Faith, Family

Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

5 out of 5 from me!

What was your favourite scene in the film? Please describe it

I didn't have one favourite scene. The film as a whole worked very well to build the tension from wondering at the start whether Frank was going to cause problems for Adele and Henry right through to rooting for them all as a family after he proved to be such a good man.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Labor Day to friends and family? Why?

Yes, I'd really recommend it because it was such a gripping story.