Based on the novel Labor Day written by Joyce Maynard, the movie Labor Day is told through the eyes of 13-year old Henry Wheeler (Gattlin Griffith) and takes place over a Labor Day weekend in 1987. While school shopping with his mother Adele (Kate Winslet), Henry is approached by an intimidating man who is bleeding and limping. This suspicious looking man introduces himself as Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin) and is rather honest with Henry about his situation. He explains that he jumped out of a hospital’s second story window and needs a place to rest his legs. After a moment of convincing, Frank persuades Adele to take him to their house. It’s soon discovered that Frank is in fact an escaped convict on the run from local police. He tells Adele and Henry that he will catch the first train that comes by. One night eventually turns into two then three and so on as Adele convinces him to stay just one more night. As the story moves along it becomes obvious to Henry that something is happening between Frank and his mother. The three begin to resemble a family as Frank provides the home some much needed repairs; he cooks, cleans, and becomes somewhat of a father figure to Henry, teaching him how to change oil and catch a ball. As visitors randomly drop by, they become increasingly suspicious of Adele and Henry’s actions. One day when Frank and Adele decide to pack up the car and runaway to Canada, Henry makes the mistake of leaving a goodbye letter that eventually leads to everything falling apart.
Despite receiving mixed reviews and doing a pitiful job in the box office, mostly due to opening alongside Zac Efron’s That Awkward Moment and the Super Bowl, anyone who appreciates a good drama will fall in love with this movie. Many moments leading to the climax will leave viewer literally holding their breath. Labor Day was well worth the money paid to see it in my opinion. The choice of actors was perfec,t and the storyline was beautiful. It’s perfect movie for Valentine’s Day; I’m recommending it to everyone.