Inventing the Abbotts - 7

This film takes place in the 1950's in a small town outside of Chicago. The story is narrated by the younger of two brothers, Doug, who have lost their dad at an early age and are different in their response to it. It all has to do with the hush-hush environment of the small town they live in. They have to sort of figure it out from the rumors that percolate in school and community events. The audience goes along for the ride as the story surrounding the death get more and more fuzzy, and are then cleared up when Doug speaks to his mother about the truth. He then realizes that his older brother has invented his own story about the events and has in fact misunderstood Mr. Abbott, whose role in the death you do not find out about until the truth is sought out by Doug. In the meantime all the hurt in the film is due to the false reality that rumors can inflict, and the film ends asking the question whether there can be healing in this situation. The film is well cast with Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crudup, Jennifer Connelly, Liv Tyler, and Kathy Baker.