Laurel Canyon

The beginning scene in Laurel Canyon is surprisingly sexual for a film made by a woman. Although nudity is not shown, the main character is wearing her shirt during sex, and it uses vivid language, which is something uncommon. Nudity and sexuality is highly present in this movie. Multiple times breasts are shown, but the only scene showing male nudity is in the pool, and there is no skin shown outright except bare butt and a blurry look at the genitals. A scene that uses nudity is when Jane flashes the band. Although it is unnecessary to show her breasts, it also proves how she is liberated and comfortable with her body, something women in the past were unable to be because of social stigma. This is significant because a woman wrote the film. Another scene showing nudity that makes a point is when one of the psych ward patients is standing outside the room with no clothes on, saying “you don’t understand naked.” The filmmaker obviously did this to make a point about the human body.

Just as seen in The Piano, Laurel Canyon looks at fidelity and honesty in relationships. In addition, this movie also shows a scene involving going underwater at the end after a moment of decision or change. Both Alex and Sam both meet people early on in the movie. Although they do not have physical contact, the characters share deeply intimate and personal things and connect on another level. This can be seen by the position of their bodies and the way they look at each other when they talk. The film is shot using close-ups of both faces and objects. This implies an intimacy that is again common in films made by women. When something is important, the shots tend to be very up close to the characters. In one scene, Sam and Sarah are talking face to face in a very open and brightly lit environment. This shows that they are being honest and have a connection. Almost immediately following this scene, Sam and Alex are in the bedroom talking, first with Sam’s back turned, then with both reading while they are talking. This scene, in opposition to the other, is darkly lit and the two are not looking at each other even though they are in a more intimate setting. This is a good example of a filmmaker using space and light to convey their point.

“We don’t want her joining the scientologists or the vegetarians” This comment made at the party is an initial bust on the way people treat and view women. Other than this, women are shown to be in positions of power, Alex and Jane are both intelligent women, one working on her dissertation and was top in her class, and the other a very successful music producer. In addition, Sam’s forbidden love interest is a thriving doctor who is well respected and Jane’s boss Claudia is obviously a big executive at a music company. Again, the theme of women working their way up and being powerful is present.

This movie could be typified as a chick flick because it deals a lot with relationships and personal struggles, but has many surprising scenes. Included are the scene in the pool where the three are skinny dipping and end up kissing, and also the scene where Sam and Sara share their deepest desires of what they want to do to each other. This is shocking and very forward, but at the same time not vulgar. Overall, the film was well made.