Limbo (1999) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

Read More

Like purgatory, "limbo" is a state between heaven and hell, where your dreams can still be seen in the distance -- either up ahead or trailing behind. Donna is a folk-rock singer who is eeking out a living performing in lounges in Juneau, Alaska. She still dreams of "making it," but she carries a lot of baggage with her -- namely Noelle, her resentful teenage daughter from a previous marriage who buries her brilliant writing potential beneath layers of anger, angst and a habit of self-mutilation. Joe is a weather-beaten, ex-fisherman who can't go near the water due to a freak boating accident he was involved in 25 years ago that left two women dead. When Joe and Donna cross paths, they find in each other a kindred spirit, but will the couple and Noelle survive the hard luck that eventually leave them emotionally and physically stranded on a deserted island with no provisions?

Cast & Crew

Read More

John Sayles

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Donna De Angelo

David Strathairn

Vanessa Martinez

Noelle De Angelo

Kris Kristofferson

Smilin' Jack Johansson

Casey Siemaszko

Bobby Gastineau

Film Details

MPAA Rating

Genre

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

1999

Production Company

Columbia Pictures; Framestore Cfc; Imaginary Forces; Pacific Title & Art Studio

Distribution Company

SCREEN GEMS/SONY PICTURES RELEASING INTERNATIONAL; Cts; Screen Gems; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Sony Pictures Releasing International; Stjornubio

Location

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Technical Specs

Duration

2h 6m

Synopsis

Like purgatory, "limbo" is a state between heaven and hell, where your dreams can still be seen in the distance -- either up ahead or trailing behind. Donna is a folk-rock singer who is eeking out a living performing in lounges in Juneau, Alaska. She still dreams of "making it," but she carries a lot of baggage with her -- namely Noelle, her resentful teenage daughter from a previous marriage who buries her brilliant writing potential beneath layers of anger, angst and a habit of self-mutilation. Joe is a weather-beaten, ex-fisherman who can't go near the water due to a freak boating accident he was involved in 25 years ago that left two women dead. When Joe and Donna cross paths, they find in each other a kindred spirit, but will the couple and Noelle survive the hard luck that eventually leave them emotionally and physically stranded on a deserted island with no provisions?

Directors

John Sayles

Sandy Mcleod

2nd Unit Director (2nd Unit)

Cast

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Donna De Angelo

David Strathairn

Vanessa Martinez

Noelle De Angelo

Kris Kristofferson

Smilin' Jack Johansson

Casey Siemaszko

Bobby Gastineau

Kathryn Grody

Rita Taggart

Leo Burmester

Michael Laskin

Hermino Ramos

Dawn Mcintuff

Tom Biss

Jimmy Mcdonell

Marit Carlson-van Dort

Monica Brandner

Maria Gladziszewski

Dan Rinner

Stephen James Lang

Ron Clarke

Cruise Director

Crew

Michael Barry

Re-Recording Mixer

Chuck Berry

Song ("You Never Can Tell (Aka 'C'Est La Vie')")

Dana Brayton

Fontaine Brown

Song ("Better Off Without You")

Paul Bryan

Song ("Attack Of The Mutant Guitars")

Deborah Cass

Unit Production Manager

Kam Chan

Foley Supervisor

Marshall Chapman

Song ("Better Off Without You")

Sarah Connors

Associate Producer

Marko Costanzo

Shay Cunliffe

Costume Designer

Mason Daring

Music; Music Composer & Arranger

Mason Daring

Song ("Loving You Is Hell Enough For Me" "Georgy Porgy")

Mason Daring

Song Performer ("Georgy Porgy")

Marcia Debonis

Additional Casting

Sean Garnhart

Sound Effects Editor

Loup Garou

Song Performer ("Pas Sale")

Lynn Geller

Music Supervisor

Larry Goldin

2nd Unit Director Of Photography (2nd Unit)

Lewis Goldstein

Sound Effects Editor

Michael Golub

Matt Haasch

Rob Harris

Lori Hicks

Makeup Supervisor

Doug Holgate

Aerial Camera Operator

Gemma Jackson

Production Designer

Timothy Jackson

Song Performer ("Loving You Is Hell Enough For Me")

Susan Jacobs

Music Supervisor

Judy Karp

Brian Kasch

Frank Kern

Shane Koss

Keri Kravitz

Post-Production Supervisor

Duke Levine

Songs ("Attack Of The Mutant Guitars" "Georgy Porgy")

Duke Levine

Featured Guitarist

Duke Levine

Song Performer ("Attack Of The Mutant Guitars")

Hal Levinsohn

Jimmy Macdonell

Song Arranger ("Pas Sale")

Lizzie Curry Martinez

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Song Performer ("You Never Can Tell (Aka 'C'Est La Vie')" "Better Off Without You" "(Lookin'For) The Heart Of Saturday Night" "Dimming Of The Day")

Sandy Mcleod

Script Supervisor

Patrick Mullins

Keith Neely

Brian O'kelley

1st Assistant Director

Doug Plavin

Song ("Attack Of The Mutant Guitars")

John Powditch

1st Assistant Director

Aaron F. Quarles

Hair Supervisor

Carla Raij

Location Manager

Nicholas Renbeck

Dialogue Editor

Maggie Renzi

Maggie Renzi

Unit Production Manager

Laura Rosenthal

Additional Casting

Jac Rubenstein

Marco Rubeo

Melissa Rubin

Production Office Manager (New York)

P Scott Sakamoto

Camera/Steadicam Operator

John Sayles

John Sayles

Song ("Loving You Is Hell Enough For Me")

John Sayles

Dave Schacter

Music Recording

Andy Spear

Bruce Springsteen

Song Performer ("Lift Me Up")

Bruce Springsteen

Philip Stockton

Supervising Sound Editor

Richard Thompson

Song ("Dimming Of The Day")

Dawn Todd

Production Coordinator

Plummy Tucker

Associate Editor

Tom Waits

Song ("(Lookin' For) The Heart Of Saturday Night")

Dennis Walker

Song ("Better Off Without You")

Tom West

Song ("Attack Of The Mutant Guitars")

Haskell Wexler

Director Of Photography

Marshall Wood

Song Performer ("Loving You Is Hell Enough For Me")

Film Details

MPAA Rating

Genre

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

1999

Production Company

Columbia Pictures; Framestore Cfc; Imaginary Forces; Pacific Title & Art Studio

Distribution Company

SCREEN GEMS/SONY PICTURES RELEASING INTERNATIONAL; Cts; Screen Gems; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Sony Pictures Releasing International; Stjornubio

Location

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Technical Specs

Duration

2h 6m

Quotes

Trivia

Miscellaneous Notes

Winner of the Golden Space Needle Award for Best Director (Sayles) at the 1999 Seattle International Film Festival.

Limited Release in United States June 4, 1999

Released in United States 1999

Released in United States June 1999

Released in United States May 1999

Released in United States on Video November 23, 1999

Released in United States Summer June 4, 1999

Shown at Cannes Film Festival (in competition) May 12-23, 1999.

Shown at Seattle International Film Festival May 13 - June 6, 1999.

Shown at Sydney Film Festival (opening night) in Sydney, Australia June 11-23, 1999.

Began shooting July 8, 1998.

Completed shooting September 3, 1998.

Released in United States 1999 (Shown at Seattle International Film Festival May 13 - June 6, 1999.)

Released in United States May 1999 (Shown at Cannes Film Festival (in competition) May 12-23, 1999.)

Released in United States June 1999 (Shown at Sydney Film Festival (opening night) in Sydney, Australia June 11-23, 1999.)

Limited Release in United States June 4, 1999

Released in United States Summer June 4, 1999

Released in United States on Video November 23, 1999

By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use