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The ripple effects of a woman's life are felt deeply in "Louder Than Bombs," a quietly moving and well-acted drama.
It's been a few years since Isabelle (played by Isabelle Huppert), an acclaimed war photographer, died in a car crash near her upstate New York home. Her husband, Gene (Gabriel Byrne), lives uneasily with their teen son, Conrad (Devin Druid), while older son Jonah (Jesse Eisenberg) — a college instructor with a wife and new baby — visits to help sort through Isabelle's old photos for an upcoming gallery exhibit. All three men try to sort out their feelings about Isabelle and each other, while Jonah frets over parenthood and Conrad nurses a crush on a classmate (Ruby Jerins).
Norwegian director/co-writer Joachim Trier ("Oslo, August 31st") moves methodically among the three characters' arcs, dropping small revelations and touching encounters along the way. In a strong cast that includes Amy Ryan and David Strathairn, the most compelling performance is from Druid, who conveys Conrad's teen frustrations and aspirations with subtle charm.
'Louder Than Bombs'
Opens Friday, May 6, at the Broadway Centre Cinemas; rated R for language, some sexual content, nudity and violent images; 109 minutes.