Down in the Valley (DVD, 2006)

I enjoyed this movie. It takes place in San Fernando Valley where this guys truly believes he is a cowboy. There are some funny parts to this movie as well. You beleive this guy to be delusional. Then you have Tobe who is a teenager and her very protective father in the mix. She is very rebellious (how many teenagers aren't these days?) Her father prohibits them from seeing each other. Harlan experiences a very bad breakdown. This DVD also includes deleted scenes.

The finest, and perhaps the most under-appreciated actor of his generation, Edward Norton stars in this tale of a mentally unstable urban cowboy who develops an unlikely, controversial relationship with a 17 year old girl, played by the beautiful Evan Rachel Wood. This is a moody, low-key, captivating film that lovers of fine cinema will surely enjoy.

Director David Jacobsen’s DOWN IN THE VALLEY plays like a romantic, operatic lament for the disappearing cinematic and real-life icon: the American cowboy. Many of the elements that would fuse, say, a classic John Wayne character are present in Edward Norton’s (PRIMAL FEAR, 25TH HOUR) character, Harlan Fairfax Caruthers: he’s polite, soft-spoken, yet stubbornly brave and handy with Colt steel and lead. While at home in Death Valley in the mid 1800s, these characteristics are positively anachronistic in modern-day San Fernando Valley. How else to explain the reaction of a gaggle of giggling teenagers to Harlan as he pumps their gas? One of the teens, Tope (Evan Rachel Wood), is immediately attracted to these charms and invites Harlan along to the beach. A whirlwind romance follows, much to the chagrin of Tope’s (short for October) father, Wade (David Morse), who senses there is more to Harlan than meets the eye. Indeed, things begin to unravel when Harlan lies about "borrowing" a horse from a local rancher that leads to a threat at gunpoint. To make matters worse, Harlan ingratiates himself more by spending time with Tope’s attention-starved younger brother, Lonnie (Rory Culkin). Eventually, as more of the dangerous demons beneath Harlan’s charming veneer reveal themselves, action must be taken and justice meted out, Old West-style. At times tense and, alternatively, quiet, DOWN IN THE VALLEY features some creative camera work from cinematographer Enrique Chediak that fits both moods. Also, be on the look-out for a scene-long quotation from TAXI DRIVER.

I received the movie this week, and watched it right away with my daughter, thank you. I look forward to doing business with you again.

Twists and turns of events, this movies starts out as a simple love story of two young people and turns to a drama of a crazy obsessed boy who will do anything for love. Keeps you on your seat and wondering exactly what is going to happen next.

Never heard of this movie until I saw it on ebay. It was pretty good and held my interest through out the entire movie. I recommend it.

It's Edward Norton. What else need I say? He is excellent at playing very different characters in all of his movies. One of the best actors of our time. I bought it because I had seen it a few times on cable and I wanted all of the extras that came with the DVD.

This movie takes place in the San Fernando Valley.Harlan (Edward Norton) plays the role as an Cowboy stuck in the way he was brought up, with a modern day twist to his cowboy lifestyle.Tobe (Evan Rachel Woods) plays a character that is a rebelious teenager, and comes and goes as she pleases.Tobe lives with her farther (David Morse) who is a local town cop, and her 13 year old brother Lonnie.One hot summer day Tobe decides to go to the beach with her and her friends.Along the way they stop at a gas station, which Harlan is the server at the station.Tobe catches his eye almost instantly.While checking the oil on the car before they leave Tobe gets out to make small talk with Harlan, then asks if he would like to join them to go to the beach.At first hesitating at his newly started job, he can't resist Tobe and says yes.This instant attraction to one another turns into a whilwind love.When Tobe doesn't come home one night and returns the next morning her farther confronts her about it and says they will talk later after he gets out of work.When Tobe isn't home when her dad is, he gets an unexpected phone call about the whereabouts of his daughter.When Tobe & Harlan try to explain the mis-understanding to her farther what happened he doesn't give them the time of day.Tobe's father forbids her to see Harlan again and then threatens to kill him if she does.Harlan & Tobe still sneak around to see each other, and when her dad finds out it furiates him and starts to tear apart their family.At whits end Harlan starts to have a nervous breakdown to try to hold on to what he has left and comes up with a plan to take Tobe away with him.When the two don't see eye to eye on his plan, Tobe refuses to leave with Harlan.After arguing a gun goes off.This is the begining of a gun showdown to bring Tobe's shooter down.A mix of old & new western.
Good movie, would only recommend to rent not buy.

the item I bought from this site came surprisingly fast and in excellent condition. I bought this item because it is a great movie. I would definitely order from this seller again.

I ran across this on my On Demand and have been a huge fan of Edward Norton since Primal Fear and American History X, so I'll pretty much watch anything he's in. The story seems uneven and little wobbly, jumping about and really not delving into the whys of the siblings and Edward Norton's motives. Or his strange behaviour. You get a sense of why, but nothing solid. Kudos to Rory Culkin as well for a solid performance. This movie felt like I was skimming across a really deep pond, when all I wanted to do was dive. I'd recommend catching it on cable or On Demand if you get a chance.

This is a unique movie and is a wonderful movie. It is also helped by the brilliant acting of Ed Norton.