Johnny Rotten was right to sue to stop FX’s Pistol from going forward.
The Sex Pistols and PiL frontman ultimately was unsuccessful in his legal efforts last year to prevent the seminal band’s music being used in the Danny Boyle-directed miniseries. However, Pistol, which dropped in its entirety today on Disney-owned Hulu, is an overly sentimental love letter that never should have been sent. You’d find more depth and authenticity on how England has been really dreamin’ over the decades in this week’s pomp-packed Platinum Jubilee for the disastrous reign of Elizabeth II.
Simply put, Pistol is more junk than punk.
Even with searing classics like “God Save the Queen” in the well-crafted soundtrack mix, the six-episode series based in part on guitarist Steve Jones’ 2017 memoir limps along when it should roar. Hobbled with a surprisingly sub-standard coming-of-age story held together figuratively and literally by amphetamines,...
The Sex Pistols and PiL frontman ultimately was unsuccessful in his legal efforts last year to prevent the seminal band’s music being used in the Danny Boyle-directed miniseries. However, Pistol, which dropped in its entirety today on Disney-owned Hulu, is an overly sentimental love letter that never should have been sent. You’d find more depth and authenticity on how England has been really dreamin’ over the decades in this week’s pomp-packed Platinum Jubilee for the disastrous reign of Elizabeth II.
Simply put, Pistol is more junk than punk.
Even with searing classics like “God Save the Queen” in the well-crafted soundtrack mix, the six-episode series based in part on guitarist Steve Jones’ 2017 memoir limps along when it should roar. Hobbled with a surprisingly sub-standard coming-of-age story held together figuratively and literally by amphetamines,...
- 6/1/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
“Pistol,” a new limited series about the career of “Sex Pistols” guitarist Steve Jones, will premiere on Hulu this May 31, FX has announced.
Based on Jones’ 2017 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,” “Pistol” follows the brief but influential career of The Sex Pistols, a 1970s British punk band that only produced one album but are regarded as one of the most important acts in the history of rock-n-roll. The central viewpoint character for the series is Jones, who is portrayed by Toby Wallace. Anson Boon also stars as John Lydon, while Christian Lees as Glen Matlock, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious and Jacob Slater as Paul Cook round out the rest of the band as featured in the show. The series also features Sydney Chandler, Talulah Riley, Maisie Williams, Emma Appleton and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
“Pistol” was created by Craig Pearce, who writes the series. Every episode is directed by Danny Boyle,...
Based on Jones’ 2017 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,” “Pistol” follows the brief but influential career of The Sex Pistols, a 1970s British punk band that only produced one album but are regarded as one of the most important acts in the history of rock-n-roll. The central viewpoint character for the series is Jones, who is portrayed by Toby Wallace. Anson Boon also stars as John Lydon, while Christian Lees as Glen Matlock, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious and Jacob Slater as Paul Cook round out the rest of the band as featured in the show. The series also features Sydney Chandler, Talulah Riley, Maisie Williams, Emma Appleton and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
“Pistol” was created by Craig Pearce, who writes the series. Every episode is directed by Danny Boyle,...
- 3/29/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
FX has set the date of its Danny Boyle-directed limited series about Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. Pistol will premiere May 31 exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
The limited series is based on Jones’ 2017 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol. The series was created and written by Craig Pearce and will be executive produced by Boyle, Pearce, Tracey Seaward, Steve Jones, Gail Lyon, Anita Camarata, Paul Lee and Hope Hartman. It’s from FX Prods.
Here’s the official logline: “The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols – and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heart-breaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music.
The limited series is based on Jones’ 2017 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol. The series was created and written by Craig Pearce and will be executive produced by Boyle, Pearce, Tracey Seaward, Steve Jones, Gail Lyon, Anita Camarata, Paul Lee and Hope Hartman. It’s from FX Prods.
Here’s the official logline: “The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols – and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heart-breaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music.
- 3/29/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
FX’s “Pistol,” the series based on the memoir from Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, will begin streaming on Hulu May 31, with all six episodes of the limited series available at launch.
“Pistol” has been described by FX as a show about “a rock and roll revolution.”
“The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols — and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heartbreaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music. Based on Jones’ memoir ‘Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,’ this is the story of a band of spotty, noisy, working-class kids with ‘no future,’ who shook the boring, corrupt establishment to its core, threatened to bring down the government and changed music and culture forever.
“Pistol” has been described by FX as a show about “a rock and roll revolution.”
“The furious, raging storm at the center of this revolution are the Sex Pistols — and at the center of this series is Sex Pistols’ founding member and guitarist, Steve Jones. Jones’ hilarious, emotional and at times heartbreaking journey guides us through a kaleidoscopic telling of three of the most epic, chaotic and mucus-spattered years in the history of music. Based on Jones’ memoir ‘Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,’ this is the story of a band of spotty, noisy, working-class kids with ‘no future,’ who shook the boring, corrupt establishment to its core, threatened to bring down the government and changed music and culture forever.
- 3/29/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
There’s no future in England’s dreaming but despite this FX is setting its Sex Pistol drama series for May.
FX boss John Landgraf revealed that the Pistol premiere date during his virtual TCA exec session.
The series, which is based on the memoir of guitarist Steve Jones, comes from Danny Boyle.
It tells the story of the band from West London’s council estates to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which was banned by the BBC and frequently is listed as one of the most influential albums of all time.
“It faithfully captures the story of Sex Pistols, the British born, anti-establishment punk music band who started a revolution,” said Landgraf.
Boyle will direct and exec produce the six-part series, which was created by Moulin Rouge! writer Craig Pearce...
FX boss John Landgraf revealed that the Pistol premiere date during his virtual TCA exec session.
The series, which is based on the memoir of guitarist Steve Jones, comes from Danny Boyle.
It tells the story of the band from West London’s council estates to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which was banned by the BBC and frequently is listed as one of the most influential albums of all time.
“It faithfully captures the story of Sex Pistols, the British born, anti-establishment punk music band who started a revolution,” said Landgraf.
Boyle will direct and exec produce the six-part series, which was created by Moulin Rouge! writer Craig Pearce...
- 2/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sex Pistols lead singer John Lydon — better known by his stage name of Johnny Rotten — has revealed he turned down an opportunity to be depicted in “The Crown” after objecting to the show’s “distortion” of history.
The dispute with “The Crown,” which Lydon described as “an infuriating issue,” emerged during a court case he is currently embroiled in regarding another on-screen depiction of the Sex Pistols for FX.
In a witness statement submitted to the court, and seen by Variety, Lydon said the Netflix show’s producers contacted him about a season 3 episode portraying the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 (the celebration of the 25th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.)
But in addition to licensing Sex Pistols anthem “God Save the Queen,” Lydon said the producers also planned to depict the band on-screen disrupting the monarch’s celebratory boat ride down the River Thames.
“[T]he producers of...
The dispute with “The Crown,” which Lydon described as “an infuriating issue,” emerged during a court case he is currently embroiled in regarding another on-screen depiction of the Sex Pistols for FX.
In a witness statement submitted to the court, and seen by Variety, Lydon said the Netflix show’s producers contacted him about a season 3 episode portraying the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 (the celebration of the 25th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.)
But in addition to licensing Sex Pistols anthem “God Save the Queen,” Lydon said the producers also planned to depict the band on-screen disrupting the monarch’s celebratory boat ride down the River Thames.
“[T]he producers of...
- 7/21/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
A spat between members of 1970s punk band The Sex Pistols over the use of their music in Danny Boyle’s new FX series “Pistol” has reached London’s High Court.
Former lead singer Johnny Rotten — whose real name is John Lydon — is defending a lawsuit from Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook regarding his refusal to give permission for the band’s hits, such as “God Save the Queen,” to be used in Boyle’s show.
The show is based on Jones’s memoir, “Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol.”
During the first day of the trial on Thursday, it emerged that Lydon had previously refused permission for “God Save the Queen” to be used on Netflix show “The Crown,” according to reports, much to his former bandmates’ fury.
The current legal wrangle revolves around a 1988 contract that says licenses for the music can be...
Former lead singer Johnny Rotten — whose real name is John Lydon — is defending a lawsuit from Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook regarding his refusal to give permission for the band’s hits, such as “God Save the Queen,” to be used in Boyle’s show.
The show is based on Jones’s memoir, “Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol.”
During the first day of the trial on Thursday, it emerged that Lydon had previously refused permission for “God Save the Queen” to be used on Netflix show “The Crown,” according to reports, much to his former bandmates’ fury.
The current legal wrangle revolves around a 1988 contract that says licenses for the music can be...
- 7/16/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Danny Boyle is giving iconic punk rock band the Sex Pistols the limited series treatment at FX.
FX announced on Monday that Boyle, the director behind praised films such as “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Steve Jobs,” and “Trainspotting,” will direct and executive produce “Pistol,” a six-episode limited series about the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. The series is created by Craig Pearce, who serves as co-writer alongside Frank Cottrell Boyce.
“Pistol” stars Toby Wallace as Steve Jones, Anson Boon as John Lydon, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn (“Derry Girls”) as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler (“Don’t Worry Darling”) as Chrissie Hynde, Emma Appleton as Nancy Spungen, and Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) as punk icon Jordan.
Per FX, “Pistol,” which is based on Jones’ 2018 memoir, will move from West London’s council estates, to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop,...
FX announced on Monday that Boyle, the director behind praised films such as “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Steve Jobs,” and “Trainspotting,” will direct and executive produce “Pistol,” a six-episode limited series about the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. The series is created by Craig Pearce, who serves as co-writer alongside Frank Cottrell Boyce.
“Pistol” stars Toby Wallace as Steve Jones, Anson Boon as John Lydon, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn (“Derry Girls”) as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler (“Don’t Worry Darling”) as Chrissie Hynde, Emma Appleton as Nancy Spungen, and Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) as punk icon Jordan.
Per FX, “Pistol,” which is based on Jones’ 2018 memoir, will move from West London’s council estates, to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop,...
- 1/12/2021
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
FX has ordered ‘Pistol’, a six-episode limited series about the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones with Danny Boyle at the helm, it was announced today by Nick Grad, President, Original Programming, FX Entertainment.
The series will be based on Jones’ 2018 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, Boyle will also serve as executive producer.
The FX project will offer a fascinating new perspective on one of rock’s greatest ever stories as it moves from West London’s council estates to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which is frequently listed as one of the most influential albums of all time. Their single “God Save the Queen” was banned by the BBC and reached Number 1 on the UK’s NME chart, but appeared at Number 2 on the Official UK Singles chart,...
The series will be based on Jones’ 2018 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, Boyle will also serve as executive producer.
The FX project will offer a fascinating new perspective on one of rock’s greatest ever stories as it moves from West London’s council estates to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which is frequently listed as one of the most influential albums of all time. Their single “God Save the Queen” was banned by the BBC and reached Number 1 on the UK’s NME chart, but appeared at Number 2 on the Official UK Singles chart,...
- 1/11/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Toby Wallace, Anson Boon, Louis Partridge also in cast.
Danny Boyle will direct limited series drama Pistol for US network FX about UK punk pioneers the Sex Pistols, with Maisie Williams among the cast attached to star.
Due to start production on March 7, the six-episode series is based on Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol, the 2018 memoir of the band’s guitarist Steve Jones.
Boyle will serve as director and executive producer on the series, which was created by Craig Pearce and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
FX Productions, the network’s inhouse production company, is producing...
Danny Boyle will direct limited series drama Pistol for US network FX about UK punk pioneers the Sex Pistols, with Maisie Williams among the cast attached to star.
Due to start production on March 7, the six-episode series is based on Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol, the 2018 memoir of the band’s guitarist Steve Jones.
Boyle will serve as director and executive producer on the series, which was created by Craig Pearce and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
FX Productions, the network’s inhouse production company, is producing...
- 1/11/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
FX has ordered “Pistol,” a six-episode limited series about iconic Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones from Oscar-winner Danny Boyle, the cable channel said Monday.
The show, which is set to begin production March 7, is based on Jones’ 2018 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol” and will star Toby Wallace as Jones. Boyle will executive produce and direct “Pistol,” which was created by Craig Pearce and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Per FX, “Anchored by Jones’ memoir, which offers a fascinating new perspective on one of rock’s greatest ever stories, ‘Pistol’ moves from West London’s council estates, to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which is frequently listed as one of the most influential albums of all time. Their single ‘God Save the Queen’ was banned by...
The show, which is set to begin production March 7, is based on Jones’ 2018 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol” and will star Toby Wallace as Jones. Boyle will executive produce and direct “Pistol,” which was created by Craig Pearce and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Per FX, “Anchored by Jones’ memoir, which offers a fascinating new perspective on one of rock’s greatest ever stories, ‘Pistol’ moves from West London’s council estates, to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s notorious Kings Road Sex shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks, which is frequently listed as one of the most influential albums of all time. Their single ‘God Save the Queen’ was banned by...
- 1/11/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting helmer Danny Boyle is collaborating with FX on a limited series based on the memoir of Steve Jones, the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist who helped usher in a punk revolution in Britain.
Boyle will direct and executive produce the six-part series, which is titled Pistol and was created by Moulin Rouge! writer Craig Pearce and is co-written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (24 Hour Party People). Babyteeth actor Toby Wallace stars as Jones, while Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams has joined the cast as punk icon Jordan.
Other cast includes Anson Boon (Crawl) as John Lydon, Louis Partridge (Enola Homes) as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel (The Serpent) as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler (Don’t Worry Darling) as Chrissie Hynde, and Emma Appleton (The Witcher) as Nancy Spungen.
Produced by FX Productions, Pistol is anchored by Jones’ book,...
Boyle will direct and executive produce the six-part series, which is titled Pistol and was created by Moulin Rouge! writer Craig Pearce and is co-written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (24 Hour Party People). Babyteeth actor Toby Wallace stars as Jones, while Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams has joined the cast as punk icon Jordan.
Other cast includes Anson Boon (Crawl) as John Lydon, Louis Partridge (Enola Homes) as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel (The Serpent) as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler (Don’t Worry Darling) as Chrissie Hynde, and Emma Appleton (The Witcher) as Nancy Spungen.
Produced by FX Productions, Pistol is anchored by Jones’ book,...
- 1/11/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
A limited series about the infamous punk band the Sex Pistols has been ordered at FX, Variety has learned.
The six-episode series is based on Steve Jones’ 2018 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.” Academy Award winner Danny Boyle will direct and executive produce the series, which hails from writers and fellow executive producers Craig Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce. Pearce created the series.
Titled “Pistol,” the show stars Toby Wallace as Steve Jones, Anson Boon as John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler as Chrissie Hynde, Emma Appleton as Nancy Spungen, and Maisie Williams as punk icon Jordan.
“Imagine breaking into the world of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Downton Abbey’ with your mates and screaming your songs and your fury at all they represent,” said Boyle. “This is the moment...
The six-episode series is based on Steve Jones’ 2018 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.” Academy Award winner Danny Boyle will direct and executive produce the series, which hails from writers and fellow executive producers Craig Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce. Pearce created the series.
Titled “Pistol,” the show stars Toby Wallace as Steve Jones, Anson Boon as John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler as Chrissie Hynde, Emma Appleton as Nancy Spungen, and Maisie Williams as punk icon Jordan.
“Imagine breaking into the world of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Downton Abbey’ with your mates and screaming your songs and your fury at all they represent,” said Boyle. “This is the moment...
- 1/11/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The reconstituted MGM is developing a CG-animated movie based on Jarrett J. Krosoczka's children's book "Punk Farm" says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story involves five ordinary barnyard animals who, by night, form a punk rock band.
David Silverman ("The Simpsons Movie") will helm the feature from a script by David Stern and Jim Hecht. Kevin Messick and Anita Camarata are producing.
The story involves five ordinary barnyard animals who, by night, form a punk rock band.
David Silverman ("The Simpsons Movie") will helm the feature from a script by David Stern and Jim Hecht. Kevin Messick and Anita Camarata are producing.
- 6/9/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
MGM is is throwing their hat into the animation ring with a feature adaptation of Jarrett Krosoczka's children's book, Punk Farm. The film will be directed by David Silverman (The Simpsons Movie) from a script by Jim Hecht with a rewrite from David Stern. The story revolves "around five barnyard animals who form an underground rock band." The film will be produced by Kevin Messick and Anita Camarata under their Prana Studios banner, who will also handle the CG animation.
This is the first film for the studio since 1989's All Dogs Go to Heaven and the second film since emerging from recovering from bankruptcy. MGM has co-financed David Fincher's Girl With a Dragon Tattoo at Sony and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters at Paramount. Vin Diesel is set to star and produce MGM's first film alone, The Machine.
Just about every studio is involved in making animated famly films,...
This is the first film for the studio since 1989's All Dogs Go to Heaven and the second film since emerging from recovering from bankruptcy. MGM has co-financed David Fincher's Girl With a Dragon Tattoo at Sony and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters at Paramount. Vin Diesel is set to star and produce MGM's first film alone, The Machine.
Just about every studio is involved in making animated famly films,...
- 6/8/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
"Living Out Loud" should be living large for New Line Cinema. An edgy, thoughtful and very funny relationship film from Jersey Films, it stars Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in wonderful performances. Mature audiences who want more from a film than chases and explosions will delight in the vital human story.
Written and directed by Richard LaGravenese, the film stars Hunter as Judith Nelson, a 40-ish, Upper East Side woman who has just divorced her husband (Martin Donovan), an accomplished cardiologist whose conjugal life was not governed by notions of merely the heart. Post-marriage life is a lonely abyss for Judith, who takes to tipping back straight-up martinis and haunting a black jazz club. She feels isolated, bingeing on junk food and becoming increasingly estranged from and agitated by the world outside her cushy condo.
Living in June's world but hardly part of it is Pat (DeVito), a faceless schlub who toils as the doorman in her tony condo. Pat has similar problems of loneliness: His longtime wife has thrown him out, and his beloved daughter is terminally ill. Compounding Pat's plight is his gambling problem, which reduces him to living on his successful brother's (Richard Schiff) couch and enduring all sorts of unsolicited life advice.
In essence, Judith and Pat have no personal identity: She has long since abandoned her childhood friends, and he has burned too many bridges with elusive dreams and petty schemes. While LaGravenese's screenplay wobbles at times in trying to bring the unlikely lovers together and is a tad overwritten in its thematics, it's a brilliant work -- funny, sad and magical. Look for end-of-year screenwriting honors for LaGravenese.
Hunter's performance as a woman who has lost herself is fantastic. Her sinewy energy mixes with almost pathetic vulnerability. DeVito's performance will surprise many for his capacity to play a romantic character. His feisty demeanor is coated with an undeniable charm and likability.
Queen Latifah brings forth one of the best supporting performances of the year as a sultry songstress who has learned to settle for less. Her effervescent presence and scrumptious rendition of some jazz classics bring vibrant dimension to the movie. Pencil her in for year-end honors in the supporting actress category.
First-time director LaGravenese's visuals are a bit stiff, but his work with the actors is laudable. Adding luster is the movie's delectable score, courtesy of George Fenton. Highest praise also to executive music producer Anita Camarata and song producer Mervyn Warren for bringing us a true musical treat.
LIVING OUT LOUD
New Line Cinema
A Jersey Films production
Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg,
Stacey Sher
Screenwriter-director: Richard LaGravenese
Co-producer: Eric McLeod
Director of photography: John Bailey
Production designer: Nelson Coates
Editors: Jon Gregory, Lynzee Klingman
Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland
Music: George Fenton
Song producer: Mervyn Warren
Executive music producer: Anita Camarata
Casting: Margery Simkin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Judith Nelson: Holly Hunter
Pat: Danny DeVito
Liz Bailey: Queen Latifah
Bob Nelson: Martin Donovan
Philly: Richard Schiff
The Kisser: Elias Koteas
Mary: Suzanne Shepherd
Donna: Mariangela Pino
The Masseur: Eddie Cibrian
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Written and directed by Richard LaGravenese, the film stars Hunter as Judith Nelson, a 40-ish, Upper East Side woman who has just divorced her husband (Martin Donovan), an accomplished cardiologist whose conjugal life was not governed by notions of merely the heart. Post-marriage life is a lonely abyss for Judith, who takes to tipping back straight-up martinis and haunting a black jazz club. She feels isolated, bingeing on junk food and becoming increasingly estranged from and agitated by the world outside her cushy condo.
Living in June's world but hardly part of it is Pat (DeVito), a faceless schlub who toils as the doorman in her tony condo. Pat has similar problems of loneliness: His longtime wife has thrown him out, and his beloved daughter is terminally ill. Compounding Pat's plight is his gambling problem, which reduces him to living on his successful brother's (Richard Schiff) couch and enduring all sorts of unsolicited life advice.
In essence, Judith and Pat have no personal identity: She has long since abandoned her childhood friends, and he has burned too many bridges with elusive dreams and petty schemes. While LaGravenese's screenplay wobbles at times in trying to bring the unlikely lovers together and is a tad overwritten in its thematics, it's a brilliant work -- funny, sad and magical. Look for end-of-year screenwriting honors for LaGravenese.
Hunter's performance as a woman who has lost herself is fantastic. Her sinewy energy mixes with almost pathetic vulnerability. DeVito's performance will surprise many for his capacity to play a romantic character. His feisty demeanor is coated with an undeniable charm and likability.
Queen Latifah brings forth one of the best supporting performances of the year as a sultry songstress who has learned to settle for less. Her effervescent presence and scrumptious rendition of some jazz classics bring vibrant dimension to the movie. Pencil her in for year-end honors in the supporting actress category.
First-time director LaGravenese's visuals are a bit stiff, but his work with the actors is laudable. Adding luster is the movie's delectable score, courtesy of George Fenton. Highest praise also to executive music producer Anita Camarata and song producer Mervyn Warren for bringing us a true musical treat.
LIVING OUT LOUD
New Line Cinema
A Jersey Films production
Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg,
Stacey Sher
Screenwriter-director: Richard LaGravenese
Co-producer: Eric McLeod
Director of photography: John Bailey
Production designer: Nelson Coates
Editors: Jon Gregory, Lynzee Klingman
Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland
Music: George Fenton
Song producer: Mervyn Warren
Executive music producer: Anita Camarata
Casting: Margery Simkin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Judith Nelson: Holly Hunter
Pat: Danny DeVito
Liz Bailey: Queen Latifah
Bob Nelson: Martin Donovan
Philly: Richard Schiff
The Kisser: Elias Koteas
Mary: Suzanne Shepherd
Donna: Mariangela Pino
The Masseur: Eddie Cibrian
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 9/16/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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