BBBB
(out of 5)
On a casual evening in New York, a hotshot lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) celebrates a personal victory at a local bar, having just sent a guilty man to prison. A nearby patron of the establishment (Alan Arkin) has just had a terrible week that has confirmed his doubts about humanity in general. A housemaid (Clea DuVall) celebrates a positive outlook on life until hers takes an unfortunate turn. A university professor (John Turturro) is trying to balance out his feelings for his wife (Amy Irving) and his mistress (Barbara Sukowa). These characters and more have connections between them that they aren’t aware of in this delicate, sensitively directed film by Jill Sprecher. All the performances are a touch of brilliance (Arkin is especially memorable, as well as McConaughey who reveals a new level of subtlety that he has never explored before), and the script is exceptionally well written.
Stonelock Pictures, Single Cell Pictures, double A Films, Conversation Productions Inc., Echo Lake Entertainment, Entitled Entertainment
USA, 2001
Directed by Jill Sprecher
Screenplay by Karen Sprecher, Jill Sprecher
Cinematography by Dick Pope
Produced by Beni Atoori, Gina Resnick
Music by Alex Wurman
Production Design by Mark Ricker
Costume Design by Kasia Walicka-Maimone
Film Editing by Stephen Mirrione
Film Festivals: TIFF 2001
Independent Spirit Awards 2002.
