It's almost impossible to specify what went wrong here. It all adds up - talented actors, intriguing premise, Charlize Theron doing her chameleon act - but somehow by the end, it's hard to know what's more depressing: The stale plotline or the fact that it costs $10 to sit through the cinematic disappointment that is "Sleepwalking."
The beginning is hopeful. Long, slow shots of fields, train tracks and run-down apartments not so subtly hint at the film's Midwestern, lower-class setting. Theron plays Joleen, an eccentric, impulsive, self-centered woman who makes countless disappointing decisions, the biggest one being to leave her daughter Tara (played by AnnaSophia Robb) with her brother James (Nick Stahl) after her boyfriend gets arrested for growing fields of pot in their backyard.
After an impassioned night with a truck driver, Joleen throws on her crocodile-skinned cowboy boots and hitches a ride, leaving a note promising to return by Tara's next birthday. James, a construction worker on the outs with his boss, does the best he can. Unfortunately, caring for Tara causes him to miss work and he gets fired, resulting in his eviction, which causes child protective services to put Tara in an orphanage. Sounds like an upper already, right?
James takes Tara out for her birthday and she convinces him to take her away. So, with barely any money and an Amber Alert out for Tara, the two hit the road, bound for anywhere but nowhere. What follows is the painful development of a relationship between a child struggling to grow up in the midst of horrible circumstances and a confused adult doing the same.
For a real emotional treat, the pair ends up at James and Joleen's father's farm, which looks like the set of a bad horror movie - and that turns out not to be far from the truth. Dennis Hopper plays their father, a work-your-fingers-to-the-bone kind of guy who has a problem with pretty much anything and anybody. The plot then settles on a dark, depressing monotone.
The main problem with "Sleepwalking" is that all the interesting, engaging occurrences happen within the first half hour of the movie. After that, it's just a slow continuation of the same depressing, emotional inaction. The plotline drudges on like a funeral procession. Just when you think it's getting bearable, something life-ruining happens and the camera returns to long, depressing shots of endless fields and close-ups of a look of total disillusionment on Tara's face.
The subtle emotions and perspectives of the characters represent the movie's little plot development. Any respite from the dreariness is welcomed, though these moments are few and far between. There is a vague message about taking responsibility for one's own life, but by the end it's lost in the grey mess that is "Sleepwalking's" even-keel plotline.
Robb is incredibly talented, and it's a shame that her brilliant performance was wasted on such a disappointing production. The interaction between her and Stahl is moving, proving to be the only interesting, touching part of the film. By the age of 15, she has already gone from kids' movies such as "Bridge to Terabithia" (2007) and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005) to complex pictures such as "Sleepwalking" and big-budget films like this year's "Jumper." It looks like Dakota Fanning has some competition.
Not surprisingly, Theron is incredible as Joleen, bringing up the front end of the film. "Sleepwalking" once again showcases her unbelievable ability to transform herself physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, Theron barely appears after the first half-hour, leaving the rest of the film to Stahl and Robb. The respective actors perform each role beautifully, but nothing can save "Sleepwalking" from the dullness of the writing and development.
Hopper portrays an extremely convincing abusive father. Unfortunately this part of the plot feels haphazardly stuck onto the rest of the film. The experience at the father's farm explains a lot about the preceding events, but it almost overly conveniently ties everything together, bringing the film to a tidy moral message.
Ultimately, neither the acting nor the direction could have saved "Sleepwalking." The stale, depressing plotline slowly descends into the abyss, taking a few talented actors and audience members with it.
