A24 and DirecTV have acquired the U.S. rights to Jessica Chastain’s western drama “Woman Walks Ahead,” the companies announced Friday. The film made its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Susanna White, “Woman Walks Ahead” stars Sam Rockwell, Michael Greyeyes, Ciaran Hinds and Bill Camp. Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Erika Olde, Richard Solomon and Andrea Calderwood produced, while the screenplay was written by Stephen Knight. Also Read: Jessica Chastain Wants 'Woman Walks Ahead' to Create Hope Amid Our Current 'Political System' (Exclusive Video) A24 and DirecTV are planning a 2018 release, with A24 planning a national theatrical roll.
- 10/20/2017
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
A24 and DirecTV have acquired U.S. rights to the Jessica Chastain period drama Woman Walks Ahead.
Directed by Susanna White, the film centers on Catherine Weldon, a portrait painter from 1890s Brooklyn, who travels to Dakota to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull and becomes embroiled in the Lakota peoples' struggle over the rights to their land.
Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) wrote the screenplay.
Sam Rockwell and Michael Greyeyes round out the cast in the film that was produced by Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Andrea Calderwood, Erika Olde and Richard Solomon. Rory Aitken, Susan Kirr and Lisa Wolofsky executive produced.
Woman...
Directed by Susanna White, the film centers on Catherine Weldon, a portrait painter from 1890s Brooklyn, who travels to Dakota to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull and becomes embroiled in the Lakota peoples' struggle over the rights to their land.
Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) wrote the screenplay.
Sam Rockwell and Michael Greyeyes round out the cast in the film that was produced by Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Andrea Calderwood, Erika Olde and Richard Solomon. Rory Aitken, Susan Kirr and Lisa Wolofsky executive produced.
Woman...
- 9/11/2017
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jessica Chastain is in negotiations to star in the 19th century America-set drama "Woman Walks Ahead" for Im Global and Black Bicycle Entertainment.
Chastain will portray Caroline Weldon, a woman who moved from Brooklyn to the Standing Rock Reservation in Dakota Territory to help Sioux chieftain Sitting Bull keep the land for his people.
Weldon penned letters to the federal government on behalf of Sitting Bull and lived on the land for several years with her son.
Susanna White ("Nanny McPhee Returns," "Generation Kill") will direct from a script by Steven Knight ("Eastern Promises," "Peaky Blinders"). Ed Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Rick Solomon and Erika Olde will produce.
Source: Variety...
Chastain will portray Caroline Weldon, a woman who moved from Brooklyn to the Standing Rock Reservation in Dakota Territory to help Sioux chieftain Sitting Bull keep the land for his people.
Weldon penned letters to the federal government on behalf of Sitting Bull and lived on the land for several years with her son.
Susanna White ("Nanny McPhee Returns," "Generation Kill") will direct from a script by Steven Knight ("Eastern Promises," "Peaky Blinders"). Ed Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Rick Solomon and Erika Olde will produce.
Source: Variety...
- 2/4/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Jessica Chastain is in talks to star in Woman Walks Ahead with Susanna White (Generation Kill) directing. Ed Zwick and Marshall Herzkovitz are producing along with Rick Solomon as well as Erika Olde of Black Bicycle Entertainment, which is financing. Stuart Ford’s Im Global is handling international sales at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. CAA is packaging and repping domestic rights. The project is based on the true story of Catherine Weldon, a widowed…...
- 2/3/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: Universal Pictures has acquired The Wedding Dance, a comedy pitch from Jamie Denbo, the Upright Citizens Brigade performer who recently appeared in the Paul Feig-directed The Heat. They are keeping the log line under wraps, but I’m going out on a limb here and guessing The Wedding Dance has something to do with achieving an altar-ed state. Denbo most recently scripted Best Buds, which was acquired by Natalie Portman’s Handsomecharlie Films and Vendome Pictures. Rick Solomon will produce the pic and Universal exec Scott Bernstein will oversee it. Denbo is repped by CAA, Apostle’s George Heller and attorney Allison Binder.
- 10/7/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
In the movies, aliens are usually creepy, green, evil, horrific, destructive angry or silly and stupid. But on television, we generally like them handsome, hot, intelligent, friendly, empathetic, goofy and thoughtful; if they're not good-looking, at least they have a sense of humor (see: the Ferengi). As for the explorers we send out to look for/connect with our aliens and discover new worlds, they're mostly of the strong, silent type. though there are a select few who aren't afraid to break out the tears (I'm looking at you, Admiral Adama). But whether extraterrestrial being or mere mortal, these characters have left their indelible marks upon our collective psyche. They fulfill a curiosity and a thirst for (imagined) knowledge about our largely unexplored universe. If ever one of us got the opportunity to travel the galaxies, he'd be lucky to have any of these characters by his side.
It seems...
It seems...
- 5/18/2011
- by Cindy Davis
Browse our gallery & tell us: Do you have less respect for stars who got their starts on sex tapes?
We all make mistakes — but in the cases of these five celebrities, sometimes those mistakes can lead to big bucks and worldwide fame! Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian are among the tabloid staples who owe much of their notoriety to “leaked” sex tapes, which led to reality shows… among other things. Join us as we walk down Sex Tape Memory Lane, and tell us which celeb You think shamelessly profited the most.
Though we have yet to feast our eyes on any of these gems, Camille Grammer starred in several softcore pornos back in the ’90s — and when her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills discovered stills of the movies online, they e-mailed the photos to each other! Can’t say we blame them. A sex tape starring Kim Kardashian and then-boyfriend...
We all make mistakes — but in the cases of these five celebrities, sometimes those mistakes can lead to big bucks and worldwide fame! Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian are among the tabloid staples who owe much of their notoriety to “leaked” sex tapes, which led to reality shows… among other things. Join us as we walk down Sex Tape Memory Lane, and tell us which celeb You think shamelessly profited the most.
Though we have yet to feast our eyes on any of these gems, Camille Grammer starred in several softcore pornos back in the ’90s — and when her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills discovered stills of the movies online, they e-mailed the photos to each other! Can’t say we blame them. A sex tape starring Kim Kardashian and then-boyfriend...
- 1/8/2011
- by Andy
- HollywoodLife
A woman who pleaded no contest to slashing Leonardo DiCaprio's face with a glass at a house party five years ago has been sentenced to two years in state prison.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced Aretha Wilson on Tuesday after Wilson entered her plea to assault with a deadly weapon last month. She did not display any emotion after hearing of her jail term, according to RadarOnline.
The Inception star, who required surgery after the attack, did not attend the sentencing.
According to BBC News, Wilson snuck into the Hollywood party, hosted by Paris Hilton's then-boyfriend Rick Solomon, in 2005 and after mistaking the Oscar nominated actor for an ex-boyfriend, attacked him.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced Aretha Wilson on Tuesday after Wilson entered her plea to assault with a deadly weapon last month. She did not display any emotion after hearing of her jail term, according to RadarOnline.
The Inception star, who required surgery after the attack, did not attend the sentencing.
According to BBC News, Wilson snuck into the Hollywood party, hosted by Paris Hilton's then-boyfriend Rick Solomon, in 2005 and after mistaking the Oscar nominated actor for an ex-boyfriend, attacked him.
- 12/8/2010
- by Cineplex.com and contributors
- Cineplex
A woman who pleaded no contest to slashing Leonardo DiCaprio's face with a glass at a house party five years ago has been sentenced to two years in state prison.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced Aretha Wilson on Tuesday after Wilson entered her plea to assault with a deadly weapon last month. She did not display any emotion after hearing of her jail term, according to RadarOnline.
The Inception star, who required surgery after the attack, did not attend the sentencing.
According to BBC News, Wilson snuck into the Hollywood party, hosted by Paris Hilton's then-boyfriend Rick Solomon, in 2005 and after mistaking the Oscar nominated actor for an ex-boyfriend, attacked him.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced Aretha Wilson on Tuesday after Wilson entered her plea to assault with a deadly weapon last month. She did not display any emotion after hearing of her jail term, according to RadarOnline.
The Inception star, who required surgery after the attack, did not attend the sentencing.
According to BBC News, Wilson snuck into the Hollywood party, hosted by Paris Hilton's then-boyfriend Rick Solomon, in 2005 and after mistaking the Oscar nominated actor for an ex-boyfriend, attacked him.
- 12/8/2010
- by Cineplex.com and contributors
- Cineplex
A judge says there is enough evidence for a woman to stand trial on a charge of slashing Leonardo DiCaprio's face with glass during a 2005 party, hosted by Paris Hitlon's then-boyfriend Rick Solomon.
A preliminary hearing ended Thursday with 40-year-old Aretha Wilson, a former model from Ontario, being ordered to face one count of assault with a deadly weapon. DiCaprio was not in attendance.
Wilson allegedly cursed at the Inception star and threw a drinking glass in his face as he was about to leave a 2005 Hollywood Hills party, resulting in a deep cut on his ear and neck that required multiple stitches.
A preliminary hearing ended Thursday with 40-year-old Aretha Wilson, a former model from Ontario, being ordered to face one count of assault with a deadly weapon. DiCaprio was not in attendance.
Wilson allegedly cursed at the Inception star and threw a drinking glass in his face as he was about to leave a 2005 Hollywood Hills party, resulting in a deep cut on his ear and neck that required multiple stitches.
- 8/27/2010
- by Associated Press and Cineplex Staff
- Cineplex
Chicago – In the realm of lazy date movies, “Love Happens” achieves a sort of morbid grandeur. There isn’t a single original or authentic moment in all 109 minutes of the picture, which is so devoted to its formulaic structure that it often doesn’t make a lick of sense. People say and do things for no conceivable reason other than to create “crises” leading to “resolutions” leading to audience exasperation.
From “In the Company of Men” to “Thank You for Smoking,” Aaron Eckhart has made a career out of playing insincere SOBs, whose smarmy personas barely mask their corruptible nature. It doesn’t help that Eckhart’s character in “Love Happens,” self-help author Burke Ryan, looks exactly like the two-faced Harvey Dent. Yet Burke is supposed to be the real deal: a genuine do-gooder whose determination to help others emerged in the aftermath of his wife’s death.
Blu-Ray Rating:...
From “In the Company of Men” to “Thank You for Smoking,” Aaron Eckhart has made a career out of playing insincere SOBs, whose smarmy personas barely mask their corruptible nature. It doesn’t help that Eckhart’s character in “Love Happens,” self-help author Burke Ryan, looks exactly like the two-faced Harvey Dent. Yet Burke is supposed to be the real deal: a genuine do-gooder whose determination to help others emerged in the aftermath of his wife’s death.
Blu-Ray Rating:...
- 2/4/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The romantic comedy "Love Happens" starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on February 2 of 2010, just in time for Valentine's Day.
The movie tells the story of a self-help author Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) who arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar. But the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice. Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he's speaking, the two are instantly attracted. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?
The Blu-ray and DVD will offer several additional features. Commentaries with director and co-writer Brandon Camp, producer and co-writer Mike Thompson and executive producer Rick Solomon are included.
The movie tells the story of a self-help author Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) who arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar. But the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice. Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he's speaking, the two are instantly attracted. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?
The Blu-ray and DVD will offer several additional features. Commentaries with director and co-writer Brandon Camp, producer and co-writer Mike Thompson and executive producer Rick Solomon are included.
- 12/3/2009
- icelebz.com
Finding it very "painful" to deal with the fact that her ex-boyfriend Rick Solomon made public the sex tape they recorded when they were still dating, Paris Hilton warns young girls not to follow in her footsteps. "I want young girls to never put themselves in that situation I was in. Don't ever let someone talk you into doing something you don't want to do," the Hilton Hotel heiress says.
Speaking of her and Rick's x-rated video which was made public by him in 2003, Paris exclaims, "I was humiliated, embarrassed and in shock that it happened." She then adds, "It was definitely very painful. When you trust someone and love someone - for them to do that to you, it's really hard. It's something that bothers me everyday."
Still feeling the pain, she however has learned her lesson, stating, "It wasn't my fault, it was something that someone did to me,...
Speaking of her and Rick's x-rated video which was made public by him in 2003, Paris exclaims, "I was humiliated, embarrassed and in shock that it happened." She then adds, "It was definitely very painful. When you trust someone and love someone - for them to do that to you, it's really hard. It's something that bothers me everyday."
Still feeling the pain, she however has learned her lesson, stating, "It wasn't my fault, it was something that someone did to me,...
- 7/31/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Universal has renewed its pact with Scott Stuber, keeping the producer in the fold through 2013. The move comes just as the studio is releasing Stuber's latest movie, the Paul Rudd/Seann William Scott comedy "Role Models."
Stuber has been a key producer for the studio ever since he and Mary Parent segued from their position as Universal's co-president of productions and formed Stuber/Parent. Parent earlier this year joined MGM as chairman.
Stuber recently brought Pam Abdy on board at the renamed Stuber Prods. Abdy joins execs Alexa Faigen, Jon Mone, Andy Davis, Rick Solomon and Jared Pfeifer.
"Scott's transformation from one of our studio's leading executives into one of our most consistent suppliers has been immensely rewarding for all of us, and we are gratified to continue our partnership," Universal's president of production Donna Langley said.
In 2009, Universal will release at least three, if not four, Stuber-produced movies: "The Wolfman,...
Stuber has been a key producer for the studio ever since he and Mary Parent segued from their position as Universal's co-president of productions and formed Stuber/Parent. Parent earlier this year joined MGM as chairman.
Stuber recently brought Pam Abdy on board at the renamed Stuber Prods. Abdy joins execs Alexa Faigen, Jon Mone, Andy Davis, Rick Solomon and Jared Pfeifer.
"Scott's transformation from one of our studio's leading executives into one of our most consistent suppliers has been immensely rewarding for all of us, and we are gratified to continue our partnership," Universal's president of production Donna Langley said.
In 2009, Universal will release at least three, if not four, Stuber-produced movies: "The Wolfman,...
- 11/6/2008
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paris Hilton stopped by Trashy Lingerie to buy a Halloween costume on Friday and ran errands on Saturday and Sunday around La. Looks like she stocked up, though we didn't get to see her dressed up around town this year. Paris will be heading to Letterman yet again tonight, but in a recent interview she spoke out about her love, friendships, and sex tape with Rick Solomon. Here's more: On Rick and the sex tape: "I loved this guy for three years but he betrayed me. Rick’s a scumbag and I hate him. It was just the most horrible thing that’s ever happened to me. So humiliating and embarrassing. But at the end of the day, I didn’t do anything wrong." On Britney Spears: "I do love her. I'm so happy for her because she's got her life back on track after a difficult couple of years.
- 11/4/2008
- by PopSugar
- Popsugar.com
Paramount executive vp production Pam Abdy has been hired to run Scott Stuber's production shingle at Universal, Stuber Prods. She will join Alexa Faigen, Jon Mone, Andy Davis and Rick Solomon, and she will oversee day-to-day development and production for the company.
"I've known Scott a long time and am excited to join his company and continue producing movies with him, something we began when I was at Jersey and he was at Universal," Abdy said.
"Pam's talent, expertise and energy will be a perfect fit for our company," Stuber said. "Her passion and tremendous skills are the perfect complement to the company, and I'm looking forward to the great things we will do in the future."
Beginning in 1995, Abdy rose from being an intern at Danny DeVito's Jersey Films to his assistant to, ultimately, president of production. She became a production vp at Paramount in 2003.
In 2006, she...
"I've known Scott a long time and am excited to join his company and continue producing movies with him, something we began when I was at Jersey and he was at Universal," Abdy said.
"Pam's talent, expertise and energy will be a perfect fit for our company," Stuber said. "Her passion and tremendous skills are the perfect complement to the company, and I'm looking forward to the great things we will do in the future."
Beginning in 1995, Abdy rose from being an intern at Danny DeVito's Jersey Films to his assistant to, ultimately, president of production. She became a production vp at Paramount in 2003.
In 2006, she...
- 10/6/2008
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CORRECTED 11:57 p.m. PT Jan. 22, 2008
Dan Fogler, Judy Greer and Martin Sheen are packing their bags for "Traveling", Universal's Stuber/Parent comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.
Joe Anderson ("Across the Universe") and John Carroll Lynch ("K-Ville") also have joined the cast. "Traveling" is being directed by Brandon Camp and produced by Scott Stuber and Mary Parent as well as Mike Thompson.
The script, written by Camp and Thompson, follows a widowed self-help author (Eckhart) headlining a grief seminar in Seattle who rediscovers love and happiness after meeting a hotel florist (Aniston).
Fogler is the guru's overzealous manager, while Greer will play the florist's employee and friend. Anderson is the florist's musician boyfriend and Lynch is a reluctant seminar attendee.
Sheen will play the author's father-in-law with whom he has a strained relationship.
J. Miles Dale and Rick Solomon are executive producing.
Fogler, repped by WMA, was last seen in "Good Luck Chuck" and headlined "Balls of Fury".
CAA-repped Greer can be seen in "27 Dresses". Sheen is repped by ICM.
Dan Fogler, Judy Greer and Martin Sheen are packing their bags for "Traveling", Universal's Stuber/Parent comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.
Joe Anderson ("Across the Universe") and John Carroll Lynch ("K-Ville") also have joined the cast. "Traveling" is being directed by Brandon Camp and produced by Scott Stuber and Mary Parent as well as Mike Thompson.
The script, written by Camp and Thompson, follows a widowed self-help author (Eckhart) headlining a grief seminar in Seattle who rediscovers love and happiness after meeting a hotel florist (Aniston).
Fogler is the guru's overzealous manager, while Greer will play the florist's employee and friend. Anderson is the florist's musician boyfriend and Lynch is a reluctant seminar attendee.
Sheen will play the author's father-in-law with whom he has a strained relationship.
J. Miles Dale and Rick Solomon are executive producing.
Fogler, repped by WMA, was last seen in "Good Luck Chuck" and headlined "Balls of Fury".
CAA-repped Greer can be seen in "27 Dresses". Sheen is repped by ICM.
- 1/22/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens
Friday, Dec. 5
Hollywood -- and America's -- fascination with all things Asian continues in Edward Zwick's "The Last Samurai", a movie that successfully merges a Western with a samurai movie. Zwick triumphantly pulls off what sounds like the height of arrogance: a Yank directing a samurai movie and, worse, Tom Cruise playing the title role. Hewing close to historical accuracy, though, the film does a reasonable job of situating Cruise, playing an Indian fighter and Civil War veteran, in Japan during the 1876-77 Samurai Revolt to catch the final moments of samurai culture and its spirit of Bushido.
Relying on a solidly grounded screenplay with principled though doomed heroes, rapacious villains, intriguing supporting characters and a climactic battle in which bows and arrows and swords go up against howitzers and repeating rifles, "Samurai" is a hugely satisfying entertainment that will attract a broad spectrum of audiences around the world. Zwick fully exploits the star power at his disposal, pairing off Cruise and Japanese star Ken Watanabe as two larger-than-life warriors, initially adversaries but eventually allies and even friends.
The script by Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz and John Logan tackles an unusual four-act structure, which suits the epic nature of the story. We first encounter Cruise's Capt. Nathan Algren as a somewhat cliched figure -- a whiskey-soaked, self-pitying ex-soldier reduced to performing a one-man Wild West show in San Francisco to sell Winchester rifles. Flashbacks explain that Nathan lost his soul during a massacre of an Indian village that included women and children and was carried out under the command of Col. Bagley (Tony Goldwyn).
Then who should rescue Nathan from his self-destructive stupor but former comrades Zebulon Gant (Billy Connolly) and Col. Bagley himself? The two woo him to accept a commission to train the conscript army of a Japanese emperor eager to embrace the modern world.
Arriving in Japan refreshed by sea breezes yet with no loss of cynicism or self-contempt, Nathan is up against a timetable that won't allow him to train the army in modern weaponry properly before challenging a renegade band of samurai lead by Katsumoto (Watanabe). A battle in a foggy forest results in the rout of the army and capture of Nathan by Katsumoto, who spares the foreign soldier despite the fact Nathan slew his brother-in-law in combat.
The second section isolates Nathan in a rural village over fall and winter. In often silent sequences, he watches and learns samurai culture, ethos and fighting techniques. Katsumoto unaccountably speaks English, so the two engage in conversations that explore their areas of differences and agreement. Rather startlingly, Katsumoto lodges Nathan with his sister, Taka (Koyuki), the widow of the samurai Nathan killed. By winter's end and only after repeated beatings in fencing with his bitter antagonist, Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada), Nathan emerges as a samurai who has ingratiated himself to his host family by saving them from a ninja attack.
In the third section, Nathan accompanies Katsumoto to Tokyo for a political showdown with the emperor (Shichinosuke Nakamura) and, more pivotally, Omura (Masato Harada), the businessman behind the transformation of feudal Japan into a modern nation, mostly for his own financial benefit. Katsumoto is placed under arrest and offered the honorable choice of taking his own life. But Nathan and the other samurai spring Katsumoto, and they flee Tokyo.
The final section awesomely pits a large modern army against the samurai in battle, where Nathan and Katsumoto seek to neutralize the big guns and reduce things to hand-to-hand combat where the samurai might prevail. Zwick makes it amply clear that in this rousing battle sequence, we are witness to the passing of the samurai era.
Cruise and Watanabe underplay their roles, letting their characters' deeds speak for them and permitting intimacies not usually associated with epic moviemaking. Cruise's transformation into a samurai is convincing as the actor makes us understand that this the only way he can reclaim his soul. Watanabe's confusion over the mores and manners of modern warfare is equaled by his determination to remain loyal to the old ways, even if it means his death.
Timothy Spall enlivens all his scenes as an English photographer enthralled with Japanese culture. Model-actress Koyuki lends her ethereal beauty and gentle manner to the woman who captures Nathan's heart. Goldwyn and Harada though are fairly conventional villains.
Shot mostly in New Zealand, the movie makes superb use of its period costumes, sets and weaponry. Occasionally, a CG image or matte painting calls attention to itself, but overall the historical depiction represents Hollywood technical crafts at their best. The kendo drills and the fights maintain a grace and expressiveness equal to a Japanese samurai movie.
John Toll's cinematography adds luster to the film's epic sweep. But Hans Zimmer's score works a little too hard. He might have mixed Eastern and Western musical themes to greater advantage, but instead Zimmer sticks mostly to Western motifs and instruments.
THE LAST SAMURAI
Warner Bros. Pictures
A Radar Pictures/Bedford Falls Co./Cruise-Wagner production
Credits:
Director: Edward Zwick
Screenwriters: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
Story: John Logan
Producers: Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Scott Kroopf, Tom Engelman
Executive producers: Ted Field, Richard Solomon, Vincent Ward, Charles Mulvehill
Director of photography: John Toll
Production designer: Lilly Kilvert
Music: Hans Zimmer
Costume designer: Ngila Dickson
Editors: Steven Rosenblum, Victor du Bois
Cast:
Nathan Algren: Tom Cruise
Katsumoto: Ken Watanabe
Simon Graham: Timothy Spall
Zebulon Gant: Billy Connolly
Col. Bagley: Tony Goldwyn
Ujio: Hiroyuki Sanada
Taka: Koyuki
Omura: Masato Harada
Nobutada: Shin Koyamada
Silent Samurai: Seizo Fukumoto
Running time -- 154 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Friday, Dec. 5
Hollywood -- and America's -- fascination with all things Asian continues in Edward Zwick's "The Last Samurai", a movie that successfully merges a Western with a samurai movie. Zwick triumphantly pulls off what sounds like the height of arrogance: a Yank directing a samurai movie and, worse, Tom Cruise playing the title role. Hewing close to historical accuracy, though, the film does a reasonable job of situating Cruise, playing an Indian fighter and Civil War veteran, in Japan during the 1876-77 Samurai Revolt to catch the final moments of samurai culture and its spirit of Bushido.
Relying on a solidly grounded screenplay with principled though doomed heroes, rapacious villains, intriguing supporting characters and a climactic battle in which bows and arrows and swords go up against howitzers and repeating rifles, "Samurai" is a hugely satisfying entertainment that will attract a broad spectrum of audiences around the world. Zwick fully exploits the star power at his disposal, pairing off Cruise and Japanese star Ken Watanabe as two larger-than-life warriors, initially adversaries but eventually allies and even friends.
The script by Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz and John Logan tackles an unusual four-act structure, which suits the epic nature of the story. We first encounter Cruise's Capt. Nathan Algren as a somewhat cliched figure -- a whiskey-soaked, self-pitying ex-soldier reduced to performing a one-man Wild West show in San Francisco to sell Winchester rifles. Flashbacks explain that Nathan lost his soul during a massacre of an Indian village that included women and children and was carried out under the command of Col. Bagley (Tony Goldwyn).
Then who should rescue Nathan from his self-destructive stupor but former comrades Zebulon Gant (Billy Connolly) and Col. Bagley himself? The two woo him to accept a commission to train the conscript army of a Japanese emperor eager to embrace the modern world.
Arriving in Japan refreshed by sea breezes yet with no loss of cynicism or self-contempt, Nathan is up against a timetable that won't allow him to train the army in modern weaponry properly before challenging a renegade band of samurai lead by Katsumoto (Watanabe). A battle in a foggy forest results in the rout of the army and capture of Nathan by Katsumoto, who spares the foreign soldier despite the fact Nathan slew his brother-in-law in combat.
The second section isolates Nathan in a rural village over fall and winter. In often silent sequences, he watches and learns samurai culture, ethos and fighting techniques. Katsumoto unaccountably speaks English, so the two engage in conversations that explore their areas of differences and agreement. Rather startlingly, Katsumoto lodges Nathan with his sister, Taka (Koyuki), the widow of the samurai Nathan killed. By winter's end and only after repeated beatings in fencing with his bitter antagonist, Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada), Nathan emerges as a samurai who has ingratiated himself to his host family by saving them from a ninja attack.
In the third section, Nathan accompanies Katsumoto to Tokyo for a political showdown with the emperor (Shichinosuke Nakamura) and, more pivotally, Omura (Masato Harada), the businessman behind the transformation of feudal Japan into a modern nation, mostly for his own financial benefit. Katsumoto is placed under arrest and offered the honorable choice of taking his own life. But Nathan and the other samurai spring Katsumoto, and they flee Tokyo.
The final section awesomely pits a large modern army against the samurai in battle, where Nathan and Katsumoto seek to neutralize the big guns and reduce things to hand-to-hand combat where the samurai might prevail. Zwick makes it amply clear that in this rousing battle sequence, we are witness to the passing of the samurai era.
Cruise and Watanabe underplay their roles, letting their characters' deeds speak for them and permitting intimacies not usually associated with epic moviemaking. Cruise's transformation into a samurai is convincing as the actor makes us understand that this the only way he can reclaim his soul. Watanabe's confusion over the mores and manners of modern warfare is equaled by his determination to remain loyal to the old ways, even if it means his death.
Timothy Spall enlivens all his scenes as an English photographer enthralled with Japanese culture. Model-actress Koyuki lends her ethereal beauty and gentle manner to the woman who captures Nathan's heart. Goldwyn and Harada though are fairly conventional villains.
Shot mostly in New Zealand, the movie makes superb use of its period costumes, sets and weaponry. Occasionally, a CG image or matte painting calls attention to itself, but overall the historical depiction represents Hollywood technical crafts at their best. The kendo drills and the fights maintain a grace and expressiveness equal to a Japanese samurai movie.
John Toll's cinematography adds luster to the film's epic sweep. But Hans Zimmer's score works a little too hard. He might have mixed Eastern and Western musical themes to greater advantage, but instead Zimmer sticks mostly to Western motifs and instruments.
THE LAST SAMURAI
Warner Bros. Pictures
A Radar Pictures/Bedford Falls Co./Cruise-Wagner production
Credits:
Director: Edward Zwick
Screenwriters: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
Story: John Logan
Producers: Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Scott Kroopf, Tom Engelman
Executive producers: Ted Field, Richard Solomon, Vincent Ward, Charles Mulvehill
Director of photography: John Toll
Production designer: Lilly Kilvert
Music: Hans Zimmer
Costume designer: Ngila Dickson
Editors: Steven Rosenblum, Victor du Bois
Cast:
Nathan Algren: Tom Cruise
Katsumoto: Ken Watanabe
Simon Graham: Timothy Spall
Zebulon Gant: Billy Connolly
Col. Bagley: Tony Goldwyn
Ujio: Hiroyuki Sanada
Taka: Koyuki
Omura: Masato Harada
Nobutada: Shin Koyamada
Silent Samurai: Seizo Fukumoto
Running time -- 154 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 1/30/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shannen Doherty is greatly amused by reports about her recent wedding - because journalists have got the wrong man. Reports about the nuptials in Las Vegas, Nevada at the weekend claimed the former wildchild wed the movie producer Richard Solomon who made Traffic - but she actually married an entirely different filmmaker of the same name. Doherty's publicist says, "He's an independent producer with an online gambling site." The couple have reportedly been dating for only a few months. It's the second trip down the aisle for both. Solomon, 32, has two kids from his first marriage.
- 2/7/2002
- WENN
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