Don Cheadle,
Ryan Gosling,
Chris Klein,
Jena Malone,
Lena Olin
... see more 
Produced by Kevin Spacey, The United States of Leland is a psychological drama concerning the aftereffects of a brutal murder. It's also the first big-studio theatrical release for writer/director Mat... read more
Directed by: Matthew Ryan Hoge
Release Date: April 2, 2004
DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004
Stats: 1,586 reviews
Cast: Don Cheadle, Ryan Gosling, Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Kevin Spacey, Michelle Williams, Martin Donovan, Ann Magnuson, Kerry Washington, Sherilyn Fenn, Nick Kokich, Sheeri Rappaport
Director: Matthew Ryan Hoge
Summary: Teenager Leland Fitzgerald appears to h... read more
There is something about Ryan Gosling that attracts films of a Psychological nature. Whilst the topic of this film, could so easily have appeared an open and shut case, we delve into a much deeper psyche in an almost Devil's Advocate view of the events.
This one could open up t... read more
Interesting movie. Sometimes hard to keep my attention on it, but it was alright.
At times its a compelling movie. The main problem I had with it is that it doesn't know how to end and it doesn't really provide an explanation as to why Leland did what he did. For some reason however, I was interested in most of the needless subplots, I don't know why. Gosling ... read more
The movie doesn't even realize how serious the situation is. It just exploits it to depict some cheap, unrealistic, pretentious notion of what the filmmakers think teen angst is.
Leland is a straightforward drama, putting all the cards on the table and allowing you to see the aftermath of unexplainable death in its truest form.
http://proofinpicture.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/united-states-of-leland/
Much better then I had anticipated, great cast and Ryan Gosling is brilliant as usual. The ending was a little drawn out though, and lost the necessary punch that it could have had. Still, good film overall.
I'm a huge Kevin Spacey fan and I like Don Cheadle. But this is Ryan Gosling's movie.
I felt the main character lacked likability and that made the movie less interesting.
A sidetracking subplot about Madison's adulterous fling with a co-worker goes nowhere; it is one of several unsatisfying, tertiary plot strands. Full Review
The entire film is like that -- moments of good actors giving halfhearted performances. Full Review
Isn't it sad that a boy like this could feel so lost that he had to kill someone? Well, maybe. But isn't it sadder that someone's dead? Full Review
[Hoge] spends an awful lot of time trying to get us to understand Leland and almost none trying to get us to understand his victim. Full Review
Besides being puffed up with its importance, it's also inert and totally implausible -- one of those movies where nobody behaves in a way that seems remotely human. Full Review
It simply mopes along to one of those joyless alt-rock soundtracks that have thankfully started to fall out of fashion since the film was produced, leaving vague unpleasantness in its wake. Full Review
A thoughtful, mature, daring work that looks beneath the surface of an awful act and asks questions few would ask.
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United States of Leland music video
The United States Of Leland Scene: About Becky
The United States Of Leland Scene: Slipping Away
The United States Of Leland Scene: No Distinction
The United States Of Leland Scene: I'm Only Human
The United States Of Leland Scene: I Like Pretty
The United States Of Leland Scene: Captain Morgan
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