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Joshua Jackson, Donald Sutherland, Juliette Lewis, Louise Fletcher, Zack Ward ... see more see more... , John Kapelos , Steven Pasquale , Krista Bridges , Niamh Wilson , Richard D. Leko , Steve Vai , Tatum Knight , Trip Phoenix

Duncan (Joshua Jackson), a depressed twentysomething living in a rundown section of Minneapolis, has just lost another job. He has another source of income, letting his brother use his apartment for e... read more read more...xtramarital trysts. On a rare visit to his grandparents, Ronald (Donald Sutherland) and Ruth (Louise Fletcher), Duncan meets Kate (Juliette Lewis), Ronald's spirited home health-care worker. Later, when Duncan learns that there's an opening for a handyman in the building, he takes the job. He begins to spend more time with his grandparents, hanging out with Ronald, who, among his many health problems, suffers from Parkinson's disease. He also has occasion to see Kate, and the two cautiously begin a romantic relationship. Kate is "one of those people," as Duncan puts it, who moved to Minneapolis because of the Replacements. Unlike Duncan, who has never left Minneapolis, Kate has never stayed in any one place for too long. She's anxious to get out and explore the world, while Duncan seems immobilized. Yet they connect, if only for a time. As Duncan reconnects with his grandparents and grows more intimate with Kate, he begins to deal with his grief over the sudden death of his father. Meanwhile, with his health deteriorating, Ronald begins to think of ending his life, and turns to his grandson for help. Aurora Borealis was directed by James Burke from an original screenplay by Brent Boyd. The film had its world premiere at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Flixster Users

40% liked it

14,920 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

39 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: James C.E. Burke

Release Date: September 15, 2006

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DVD Release Date: April 3, 2007

Stats: 249 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (249)

  • itsjustme2004
    January 13, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    A good script, well performed by a really good cast...including Juliette Lewis (I say this even though I am not a fan). I was very impressed with Joshua Jackson, and Donald Sutherland in this film. The main plot deals with mortality, growing old, and the love of family...all with... read more a touch of saddness, and humor together. Nice movie.
  • karyn8sons
    October 17, 2007
    karyn8sons
    I really liked this movie and I feel kinda bad because it doesn't really play like a very happy story and not at all similar the stuff I usually enoy.

    I have a son named Duncan and I saw a LOT of similarities between this character, Duncan, and my son, Duncan and that made me ... read morekind of uncomfortable.

    I thought it was going to be really predictable but things didn't play out in this film in quite the way I thought they would (or should?) and that was a nice change. Gotta love Hollywood ~

    I never really cared much for Juliette Lewis but she did a great job with this role. Josh Jackson was very believable as Duncan. Donald Sutherland was every bit the character he portrayed, almost to the point of being scary real. I thought Louise Fletcher was a good choice for his wife but she seemed a little more detached than was believable for me personally.

    I had bought this movie to watch whenever and I'm glad I did. I am pretty sure there are parts and nuances I missed the first time that I'll pick up in repeated watchings. I'm sure. The overall message in this movie is hope and that is a VERY good thing! I LOVED the ending too ~
  • NobleKnight
    July 29, 2007
    NobleKnight
    Great casting! Best movie I have seen Joshua Jackson in since the Mighty Ducks. Donald Sutherlnad gives a grand performance I had ever seen him down.
    A story of a young man that holds on to his past too much to leave and see what is outside of the town he grew up in. It takes hi... read mores grandfather (Sutherland) and his physical nurse (Lewis) to open his eyes of what is keeping him from leaving. A real, and great, realationship between the the grandfather and Duncan. A MUST SEE MOVIE!
  • DownBoy
    April 4, 2007
    DownBoy
    I just saw this film at a local film festival and I was amazed at how excellent this was! Juilette lewis and Joshua Jackson have great chemestry together in this film

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Critic Reviews

Wesley Morris
October 6, 2006
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Good Will Hunting but in the Midwest and minus the tortured math genius, psychological breakthroughs, and convincing local color. Full Review

Neva Chonin
September 29, 2006
Neva Chonin, San Francisco Chronicle

Every bromide, plot twist and stock character arrives right on time and, to give director James Burke his due, function as well as they ever have. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
September 28, 2006
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

A sensitive and touching story about a distressed family and the emotional glue that holds it together.

Kevin Crust
September 21, 2006
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

Most successful in capturing the emotional elements of its story, the film relies on its excellent cast to balance out sketchily drawn characters and the unfortunate obviousness of its plot. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
September 20, 2006
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Juliette Lewis makes Aurora Borealis into a funnier, richer, more powerful film than it has any reason to be. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
September 15, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Aurora Borealis is Duncan's story, and it's picked up some of his bad habits; like him, it's not sure what it wants to be. Full Review

Nathan Lee
September 15, 2006
Nathan Lee, New York Times

Set in dead-of-winter Minneapolis, a ready-made metaphor for (groan, shiver) the chill in Duncan's heart, the movie tells how life warms up when he goes to work at a nursing home. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
September 15, 2006
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Director James Burke could easily have trimmed 30 minutes of suffering.

Elizabeth Weitzman
September 15, 2006
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

The latest Dawson's Creek alumnus to break out of his WB bonds, Joshua Jackson proves himself all grown up in this sweetly scrappy indie. Full Review

Robert Koehler
September 14, 2006
Robert Koehler, Variety

Alternately breezy and profound, pic hits enough emotional chords to connect with auds. Full Review

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