The Man from Elysian Fields
3.5/4
Starring: Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Julianna Margulies, Olivia Williams, James Coburn, Anjelica Huston
Rated R for Language and Sexual Content
I'm a writer. That should be plainly obvious since I write movie reviews for about 99.9% of the movies I watch. No, but seriously. I write novels in my free time. I just finished one earlier this year. I guess this is one of the many reasons why I responded so well to the characters in "The Man from Elysian Fields." The characters in this film are intelligent and articulate, and the subject matter about the process of writing rings true. Any writers or lovers of literature would do well to see this film. And any lover of good, intelligent cinema.
Byron Tiller (Garcia) is a talented but unsuccessful writer. His first novel, "Hitler's Child," got great reviews, but didn't sell. His newest work (which he spent the last seven years on) has been rejected by his publisher. Desperate, he tries to find an income in other areas while he writes another novel. In walks a man named Luther Fox (Jagger). Luther liked Byron's book, and offers him a way to support his family by becoming an escort. Byron doesn't like the idea, but desperate times call for desperate measures. His first lady is Andrea Alcott (Williams), the beautiful wife of legendary author Tobias Alcott (Coburn). Alcott is dying, and his last novel is shit. With the urging of Andrea, Alcott hires Byron to help him to rewrite it. Of course, so much time away from home is taking its toll with his loving wife Deena (Margulies).
"The Man from Elysian Fields" probably has the best script I have ever heard. Each line is written with wit, depth and intelligence. Just hearing the lines is pure pleasure. Not bad for Philip Jayson Lasker, who got his start writing sitcoms.
The acting is strong as well. Andy Garcia is pretty good, although he has his stiff moments. He's one of those artists who, in his hunger for fame and fortune, blinds himself to the fact that he's losing the very thing he seeks to protect. Olivia Williams is cool and sexy as Andrea; it's impossible not to be seduced by her. James Coburn is terrific as Tobias, who is dying with wit, if not grace. Julianna Margulies and Anjelica Huston provide solid support.
The real star of the film is Mick Jagger. Yes, that Mick Jagger. The lead singer for The Rolling Stones. Jagger doesn't have many acting credits to his name, but you wouldn't know it watching him as Luther Fox. Jagger seems like a seasoned professional, performing his lines with ease. He's a total scene stealer, and should have gotten an Oscar nomination (how he hasn't gotten one for music is beyond my comprehension, but whatever).
Visually, the film is a little stale, although it does have atmosphere. I was reminded of that old writer's cliche. You know, the man with a five o'clock shadow, a wife beater sitting in a hotel room with a bottle of cheap liquor, a cigarette and a typewriter trying to write the next American novel. "The Man from Elysian Fields" is built upon that feeling: the yearning for recognition and the price for the chance of getting there.
Starring: Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Julianna Margulies, Olivia Williams, James Coburn, Anjelica Huston
Rated R for Language and Sexual Content
I'm a writer. That should be plainly obvious since I write movie reviews for about 99.9% of the movies I watch. No, but seriously. I write novels in my free time. I just finished one earlier this year. I guess this is one of the many reasons why I responded so well to the characters in "The Man from Elysian Fields." The characters in this film are intelligent and articulate, and the subject matter about the process of writing rings true. Any writers or lovers of literature would do well to see this film. And any lover of good, intelligent cinema.
Byron Tiller (Garcia) is a talented but unsuccessful writer. His first novel, "Hitler's Child," got great reviews, but didn't sell. His newest work (which he spent the last seven years on) has been rejected by his publisher. Desperate, he tries to find an income in other areas while he writes another novel. In walks a man named Luther Fox (Jagger). Luther liked Byron's book, and offers him a way to support his family by becoming an escort. Byron doesn't like the idea, but desperate times call for desperate measures. His first lady is Andrea Alcott (Williams), the beautiful wife of legendary author Tobias Alcott (Coburn). Alcott is dying, and his last novel is shit. With the urging of Andrea, Alcott hires Byron to help him to rewrite it. Of course, so much time away from home is taking its toll with his loving wife Deena (Margulies).
"The Man from Elysian Fields" probably has the best script I have ever heard. Each line is written with wit, depth and intelligence. Just hearing the lines is pure pleasure. Not bad for Philip Jayson Lasker, who got his start writing sitcoms.
The acting is strong as well. Andy Garcia is pretty good, although he has his stiff moments. He's one of those artists who, in his hunger for fame and fortune, blinds himself to the fact that he's losing the very thing he seeks to protect. Olivia Williams is cool and sexy as Andrea; it's impossible not to be seduced by her. James Coburn is terrific as Tobias, who is dying with wit, if not grace. Julianna Margulies and Anjelica Huston provide solid support.
The real star of the film is Mick Jagger. Yes, that Mick Jagger. The lead singer for The Rolling Stones. Jagger doesn't have many acting credits to his name, but you wouldn't know it watching him as Luther Fox. Jagger seems like a seasoned professional, performing his lines with ease. He's a total scene stealer, and should have gotten an Oscar nomination (how he hasn't gotten one for music is beyond my comprehension, but whatever).
Visually, the film is a little stale, although it does have atmosphere. I was reminded of that old writer's cliche. You know, the man with a five o'clock shadow, a wife beater sitting in a hotel room with a bottle of cheap liquor, a cigarette and a typewriter trying to write the next American novel. "The Man from Elysian Fields" is built upon that feeling: the yearning for recognition and the price for the chance of getting there.
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