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| Movie Review: Starting Out in the Evening Alternate Title: Running on Empty
Story: If you adore films that
are character driven - this wordy, cerebral meditation by director:
Andrew Wagner is for you. It's screenplay is by Fred
Parnes & Andrew Wagner and is based on
the novel by Brian Morton. Out of print 70 year old Leonard Schiller is
methodical, structured and inflexible. He has been trying to finish
his novel for the past ten years. Into his ordered life walks Heather
Wolfe, a 20 something grad student who wants to write her thesis about
him and his work. Her goal is to reintroduce Schiller to the world.
Her persistence pays off and she slowly but surely insinuates herself
into his life. A parallel story about Schiller's 40 year old daughter
and her on again off again relationship with her oft times beau coexist
in the film. This is a film about ideas, writing, privacy,
relationships and self discovery. The characters are scintillating and
I definitely cared about what happened to them. This is a sophisticated
film with heady concepts and some interesting sexual tension. If you like these idea driven films and cannot
get enough of Frank Langella, check it out. If action is your mainstay
- do not go near this piece. Acting: Frank Langella was powerful
as Schiller. He is a large screen presence even when he plays an aging
man. Lauren Ambrose (the redheaded daughter in Six
Feet Under) as young Heather was wonderful. She more than held
her own against Langella. Lili Taylor (another Six
Feet Under alum) was marvelous as Ariel. Schiller's daughter and
Adrian Lester was terrific as the boyfriend. Predilection: None Critters: A cat and NYC pigeons.
Food: Birthday cake, toast and honey plays a big
role in the film.
Sex Spectrum: There was some very seductive scenes
between the youthful Heather and the aging Leonard. Schiller is also
seen emerging from the bathtub and there is a quick view of his private
parts. E-mail me if you want to know if Langella is circumcised.
Blatant Product Placement: Many upper West Side eateries
were shown as was the 92nd Street Y
Opening Titles: Simple white type over black background.
All credits at end.
Visual Art: Cinematographer Harlan Bosmajian has done
a splendid job with a low budget. The Upper West Side looks splendid,
as always and the interiors of the apartments are riddled with interesting
detail.
Theater Audience: A handful of Langella fans.
Weather: It was a nice time of the year in NYC. A
lovely fall, winter.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout.
Predictability Level: I was not sure where this was
going to end.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: If the Oscars want to throw Langella
a nod, I would not be surprised.
Big Screen or Rental: Either would do. For some of
my favorite Frank Langella film's you could rent: Diary of a Mad
Housewife, The Twelve Chairs, The Mark of Zorro, Dracula, Dave, Lolita,
The Ninth Gate, Good Night, and Good Luck, Superman Returns and the
soon to be released, Frost/Nixon (for which he won a Tony)
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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