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Labor Day (12A)
Directed by Jason Reitman
1 Star
Apart from being tiresome, Labor Day is possibly the most saccharine sweet slice of American pie I've had to suffer in some time.
With a stock-in-trade sentimental voiceover, 13-year-old Henry (Gattlin Griffiths) relates his story while he and his mother Adele (Kate Winslet) entertain the escaped wounded convict Frank (Josh Brolin).
With Adele suffering depression, Frank - who initially forced himself in - turns out to provide the perfect father figure and house husband while spicing up her sensual life.
His piece de resistance is baking a pie like an artist - hands on, emotional and creating with love, not relying on recipes.
Meanwhile, there's a police dragnet, noisy neighbours and Henry meeting up with randy Mandy (Maika Monroe) while he is out hunting and gathering for groceries in town.
With flashbacks to fill in the narrative gaps, Henry's transformation all takes place in five days with everybody having a happy Hollywood ending.
Not for those with glucose intolerance.
Jeff Sawtell
