Anywhere But Here

By William Stevenson
Published on May 19, 2000 04:00AM EDT

Adapting Mona Simpson’s novel about a single mom who flees Wisconsin for Beverly Hills with her sulky daughter, director Wayne Wang doesn’t work his Joy Luck Club magic with Anywhere But Here. Natalie Portman eloquently expresses teen angst — often without saying a word — but Susan Sarandon isn’t always convincing as the overbearing, immature bane of her existence. If you have time for just one of last year’s mother-daughter dramas, try Tumbleweeds. C+

Related Articles

Mega Minions (Pierre Coffin) in Despicable Me 4
Despicable Me 4 director on aging characters and the future of the animated franchise
JOE DIRT
Watch David Spade recreate iconic Joe Dirt fireworks scene ahead of July 4
DESCENDANTS
Here's every original Descendants star returning for Descendants: The Rise of Red — and who isn't
(L-R): Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Watch Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman recap the Deadpool movies — and their X-Men Origins
Whoopi Goldberg during an interview with host Seth Meyers on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS; Its a Small World Disneyland
Whoopi Goldberg blew her mother's ashes into water at Disneyland's It's a Small World ride: 'I'd scoop some of her up'
Lupita Nyong'o as Samira in A Quiet Place: Day One
A Quiet Place: Day One finds touching moments between the silent scares
Emma Roberts Julia Roberts
Here's why Emma Roberts hasn't worked with her aunt Julia
Split frame from Lego Batman, Wonka and Kiki's Delivery Service
The 25 best family movies on Max in July 2024
Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson at 'Fly Me To The Moon' New York premiere held at the AMC Lincoln Square on July 8, 2024 in New York, New York.
Scarlett Johansson jokes that her prenup required Colin Jost to cameo in Fly Me to the Moon
Michelle Yeoh in American Born Chinese and Taika Waiti and Rhys Darby in Our Flag Means Death
Every TV show that's canceled or ending on broadcast networks and streaming services this year
CAMERON BOYCE
How Descendants: The Rise of Red honors Cameron Boyce with emotional tribute
Paramount+ action movies
The 20 best action movies on Paramount+
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting'
A new Ben Affleck–Matt Damon collab is coming: Here are all their projects together so far
Split screen of Fantastic Fungi, My Octopus Teacher and Blackfish
The 10 best nature documentaries and docuseries on Netflix in July 2024
GLADIATOR, Joaquin Phoenix, Russell Crowe, 2000.
Gladiator cast: See Russell Crowe and the rest of the original stars, then and now
Longlegs
Longlegs delivers on creepy tone, with a side order of wacky Nicolas Cage