Guy Pearce could have a career as a singer based upon what he does in this movie - the vocals he performs as "Drumstrings Casey" are phenomenal - and the always-brilliant Lili Taylor turns in another beautifully realized, multi-layered portrayal as Evie Decker, the film's center. What I liked most was how she wasn't a groupie or a pushover but rather a 3-dimensional person with a strong mind, and I liked how Pearce's character slowly came to realize that he needed her. Ideally, this should have been an overwhelmingly compelling film but it suffers from a weird kind of vagueness, which could have worked for the material but instead it pulls us away from it, so the ending isn't as satisfying as it could have been. Still worth catching on cable nonetheless, for the two brilliant central performances.

A Slipping down life was shelved for many years, and the lack of real hipness or accessibility is probably to blame for this. Helmed by two indie stars Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce, this film was held back simply because neither person could conceivably carry this film.

But unlike some crappy movies that see a rebirth it didn't deserve, ASL was quietly pushed into the underground cinema and then quickly reborn on cable. And while this doesn't sound good on paper, ASL actually surprises you a little with some of the little nuances within each character's performance (with the exception of Sara Rue and Shawnee Smith---ugh!!). Lili Taylor exhibits yet another introverted woman who is somewhat shunned not just due to her nature but also her looks. Much like previous films Dog Fight and even The Haunting (where her character was visibly overwhelmed by Catherine Zeta-Jone), Taylor makes you believe she is her character rather than an actor. And some people say method acting is dead.

Guy Pearce is especially interesting in this film. I especially liked the transgression of him embodying all the things his father hates and then turning into his father near the end. It was a strange transformation but an effective one. And its even more impressive how he can cover up his deep Australian with an effective North Carlina twang.

While the plot was pretty random at best, at least these two performances added some life to a film that would have been altogether listless.

I really enjoyed this little-known, low key movie.

The story is very simple, with little drama or fanfare, it unwinds slowly, and will touch anyone who thought they were invisible or an outcast despairing of ever being loved.

Evie Decker is a lonely young woman living with her loving, aloof widower father and Drum Casey is a lonely young man from an abusive, hateful father and apologetic mother, both decidedly lower class and an embarrassment to him.

Evie becomes obsessed with Drum, carves his last name into her forehead, and her ardor seduces him - both seek love and find it with each other, although they're an unlikely pair.

I really liked it, and Guy Pearce as Drum is beautiful with a seductive, smoky voice and you can see why Evie would fall in love with him.

The ending is left to the viewer's imagination. When Evie gives Drum an ultimatum, does he return to her? It's unclear, and purposely so. When they ride off together, is he really in the car, or is he just "with" her in spirit? He mentions on the radio that the band is heading to Nashville, and she's sold the house and packed everything into the car.

Either way, is it a happy ending? It's satisfying either way.