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      Lymelife

      R Released Apr 8, 2009 1 hr. 35 min. Drama List
      64% 110 Reviews Tomatometer 52% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score In 1979, a Long Island town falls into a panic when Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton), a hapless husband and father, is diagnosed with Lyme Disease. His wife, Melissa (Cynthia Nixon), takes a job working for their womanizing next-door neighbor, Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin), whose philandering ways are no secret to his wife (Jill Hennessy). As tensions rise, the Braggs' teenage daughter, Adrianna (Emma Roberts), and the Bartletts' teenage son, Scott (Rory Culkin), try to maintain their sanity. Read More Read Less Watch on Peacock Stream Now

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      Lymelife

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      Lymelife

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      Critics Consensus

      Lymelife features sharp performances, but the story lacks the emotional depth or focus worthy of its talented cast.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member almost good another suburban real-life film portraying the griping times of the 70's paranoia and suspicion take hold of everybody the movie isnt anything special; theres good actors but the characters arent really constructed that well to care for too much it has a nice tone and worthy acting and I'd say the writing is average but not terrible Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/25/24 Full Review alan d Two flawed families grow apart in late 1970's Long Island. Rory Culkin is terrific as the lead, a 15 yr old in love with his neighbor, without the confidence to tell her. The rest of the cast rocks also. At times funny, at times sad but always believable, this is a unique take on coming of age films. It is not for all as it is all about the mood, the dialogue and the terrific performances. It ends with a bang. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I soured early on this one because the few lines of summary text said it takes place in suburban New Jersey — it's Long Island and yes, there's a difference. (Although some of it was shot in Montclair, apparently.) While RT and Wiki state over and over that the "community is facing a paranoia over the proliferation of Lyme disease" in the suburban town, I didn't get the sense of paranoia at all. Outside of Brenda (Jill Hennessey), the specter of Lyme disease is an afterthought. Instead, the plot is as standard as it gets in the "coming-of-age in suburbia" drama. Our protag (Rory Caulkin) is in love with the (literal) "girl next door" (Emma Roberts). His parents (Hennessey and Alec Baldwin) are splitting up while his wealthy father — who is a real estate developer, literally expanding the suburban footprint of the island — is having an affair with his co-worker and mother (Cynthia Nixon) of his crush. The best moments come with Scott (Rory Caulkin) and Jimmy (Kieran Culkin), the latter warning the former of their father's bullshit and why he had to get out — Jimmy joins the army as an affront to his father's suburbia establishment, but isn't exactly the badass army man Scott thinks he is. It's predictable. Even the ambiguous ending amounts to nothing more than a fizzle — put that shit at the 60-minute mark and THEN we have a movie. Lymelife not only doesn't offer anything special, but feels like it should've come out back when it takes place: 1979. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review steve m Lacks emotional depth? Somebody needs to stop watching movies while they're doing all sorts of other stuff, because this movie is full of emotional depth. Or maybe somebody is used to watching Hollywood fake emotions that are so far removed from reality that they can't spot realistic emotions. Whatever the case with no-nothing reviewers, this is an excellent movie that presents a unique storyline, characters you can actually care about, and a wonderful look and feel, complete with glorious '70s wardrobe, hair, cars, and style. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Another quirky coming-of-age x dysfunctional families story. Partially amusing. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Good performances, a bit strange, ultimately forgettable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Lymelife

      (L-R) Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett and Kieran Culkin as Jimmy Bartlett in "Lymelife." Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett in "Lymelife." Emma Roberts as Adrianna Bragg and Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett in "Lymelife." Jill Hennessy as Brenda Bartlett and Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett in "Lymelife." (L-R) Alec Baldwin as Mickey Bartlett and Timothy Hutton as Charlie Bragg in "Lymelife." Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett and Emma Roberts as Adrianna Bragg in "Lymelife." (L-R) Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett, Alec Baldwin as Mickey Bartlett and Jill Hennessy as Brenda Bartlett in "Lymelife." (L-R) Alec Baldwin as Mickey Bartlett, Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett, Kieran Culkin as Jimmy Bartlett and Jill Hennessy as Brenda Bartlett in "Lymelife." Timothy Hutton as Charlie Bragg in "Lymelife." View more photos

      Critics Reviews

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      Caryn James Marie Claire As a girl just beginning to recognize her sexual power, [Emma] Roberts moves one step closer to adult stardom. Dec 14, 2017 Full Review Reyhan Harmanci San Francisco Chronicle At no point did I feel bored or condescended to, and even though the ending may be overwrought, it had me gripping my chair. Rated: 3/4 May 14, 2012 Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) A slight feeling of déjà vu pervades its depiction of unhappy families. But it has a tender heart, and the imprimatur of Martin Scorsese as executive producer. Rated: 3/5 May 11, 2012 Full Review Andrea Hubert NME (New Musical Express) In short, voyeurism hour is over - either come up with something fresh, or pick up your own keys and go back home. Rated: 2.5/5 May 19, 2021 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Alec Baldwin and Jill Hennessy are electrically profane as the womanizing home-builder and his botanically distracted frau. Jun 18, 2020 Full Review Beth Accomando KPBS.org Lymelife captures the look and feel of a very specific era in American life. May 14, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1979, a Long Island town falls into a panic when Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton), a hapless husband and father, is diagnosed with Lyme Disease. His wife, Melissa (Cynthia Nixon), takes a job working for their womanizing next-door neighbor, Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin), whose philandering ways are no secret to his wife (Jill Hennessy). As tensions rise, the Braggs' teenage daughter, Adrianna (Emma Roberts), and the Bartletts' teenage son, Scott (Rory Culkin), try to maintain their sanity.
      Director
      Derick Martini
      Executive Producer
      Martin Scorsese, Leonard Loventhal
      Screenwriter
      Derick Martini, Steven Martini
      Distributor
      Screen Media Ventures
      Production Co
      Cappa Productions, El Dorado Pictures
      Rating
      R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content|Violence)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 8, 2009, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 10, 2016
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