Grade: C- | Genre: Independent Drama Summary: This is an unconventional tale that certainly has its moments, including closing well, yet the story fails to take hold. Daniel Day-Lewis is a bit of enigma. By all accounts, a brilliant actor who is a bit of a recluse, turned off by the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood machine. He pops out of hiding every so often (Gangs of New York, The Age of Innocence) to remind us that he hasn't completely taken a header off the face of the Earth. It's a shame to blunt this acting talent, but it's a story we've become all too familiar with. Lewis emerges this time for the IFC Films feature The Ballad of Jack and Rose. The film premiered at Sundance in January promising a full-scale release to the art house circuit come the sunny days of summer.

Daniel Day-Lewis shares the spotlight with newcomer Camille Belle in this coming of age tale cemented in change and sacrifice. Lewis plays Jack, a hippie holdover from the late 60s marking the last vestige of a deserted commune. He lives with his teenage daughter, Rose, in virtual isolation on an island off the East Coast. They provide each other with family and companionship, fulfilling most of their needs through living off the land. Their relationship is a bit Oedipal in nature. Rose's mother left when she was 5 and post cards dot their cabin leaving her always a thought away. Rose takes care of Jack and wields fierce jealousy at the mere thought of him being cared for by another woman. Jack, on the other hand, takes to sheltering Rose from the world around her, keeping her from the normality of developing through her teenage years. Their attachment to one another is more than a little creppy.

The Ballad of Jack and Rose Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Camilla Belle, Catherine Keener, Beau Bridges, Paul Dano, Ryan McDonald & Jena Malone Director: Rebecca Miller Email this article to a friend Independent Films DVD Club for Award-Winning Films Don't miss out. Join today! www.filmmovement.com NETFLIX - Rent Movies Only $11.99 a month. No Late Fees. Over 40,000 Titles. Free Trial. www.netflix.com Love is complicated. match.com is simple. View millions of photos now! www.match.com

Unfortunately for all of Rose's experimentation and wanderings, it isn't a very interesting story. Amy Miller, daughter to famous playwright Arthur Miller, wrote and directed this film. Though the setting and the characters smack together to create sparks of interest, the story ultimately falls flat. Rose's coming of age seems stilted and unrealistic. We don't ever embrace this character enough to really want to see her through these various trials and tribulations. Daniel Day-Lewis is decent in this role though his character appears a bit lost. He struggles with his daughter's newfound freedom; yet his terminal illness never seems to really back up on him. For someone so choosey about his roles, I'm not sure why this one stood out for Lewis. The only real catching point here is the dynamic between the two characters. It has overtones of incest throughout and though the line is flirted with, it is never explicitly crossed.

This is an unconventional tale that certainly has its moments, including closing well, yet the story fails to take hold. Its an eternal waiting game that never bears fruit. With lesser actors in our leads (Lewis and Keener), its doubtful the audience would afford this the patience and effort to see it through to the final reel. So consider the your perfect film when flipping past IFC on a rainy Saturday or, as in my case, a flight from London with 8 hours to dispose of. You can only wheel though you iPod for so long until those ear buds start permanently affixing themselves to your inner ear.