Limbo

R

Released Jun 4, 1999

2h 6m

Drama

List

72%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

After a traumatic accident years ago that left others dead, Joe Gastineau (David Strathairn) has lived a life full of guilt, leading a solitary existence as a fisherman in Alaska. After he meets lounge singer Donna (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), he starts to fall for her and open up. However, when Joe's half brother (Casey Siemaszko) returns, asking for help, it sends Joe, Donna and her daughter, Noelle (Vanessa Martinez), on a boat ride that will change their lives.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Limbo on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Sayles has started with a domestic comedy, and led us unswervingly into the heart of darkness.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Sharply uneven, John Sayles' 12th film features many of his thematic motifs but the ambiguous ending is problematic.

Rated: C+

Jul 2, 2009

Full Review

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alec B

The characters are all well written but the movie loses something in its second half (namely believability) that makes some narrative sense but is also frustrating.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I always seem to enjoy the work of David Strathairn. Interesting film, except for the type of fuzzy ending that leaves me yelling at the screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie definitely leaves the viewer in limbo, as it doesn't have the kind of ending you'd expect. I didn't mind that. That is not why I'm giving this film a low rating. I found the film boring at times. I wasn't invested in the romance between the two main characters, either. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is a very good singer and the scenes where she sings were the best in the movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well-acted though the ending of John Sayles' Alaska-set drama about a trio of its troubled inhabitants render the titular sentiment and leaves little resolution to the earlier narrative that appears to describe the attributions of the frigid U.S. state.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A rich and powerful story with well developed characters. I was the most impressed with how unpredictable it was, although not a thriller, it kept me guessing literally until the end - justifying the movie's title.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

william s

Another gem from Sayles in this character driven indie thriller....loved the ending whie it more than pissed off my friends,

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John Sayles

Director

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Donna De Angelo

David Strathairn

Joe Gastineau a.k.a. Jumpin' Joe Gastineau

Vanessa Martinez

Noelle De Angelo

Kris Kristofferson

'Smilin' Jack Johannson

Casey Siemaszko

Bobby Gastineau

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Passion Fish

100%

82%

Passion Fish

Lone Star

91%

83%

Lone Star

Waking the Dead

50%

77%

Waking the Dead

Buffalo 66

77%

88%

Buffalo 66

No Looking Back

36%

64%

No Looking Back

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Kid Stars Sign Up for "Spiderwick"

View more photos

Synopsis

After a traumatic accident years ago that left others dead, Joe Gastineau (David Strathairn) has lived a life full of guilt, leading a solitary existence as a fisherman in Alaska. After he meets lounge singer Donna (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), he starts to fall for her and open up. However, when Joe's half brother (Casey Siemaszko) returns, asking for help, it sends Joe, Donna and her daughter, Noelle (Vanessa Martinez), on a boat ride that will change their lives.

Director: John Sayles
Producer: Maggie Renzi
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Distributor: Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Green/Renzi
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 25, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, SDDS

Most Popular at Home Now