Heavy (1995)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

James Mangold

Writer:

James Mangold (written by)

Release Date:

5 June 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Victor is a cook who works in a greasy bar/restaurant owned by his mother, Dolly. It's just the two of them...

Plot Keywords:

Obese | Loneliness | Pizza | Cemetery | Culinary Arts

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Victor Modino
Shelley Winters	...	Dolly Modino
Liv Tyler	...	Callie
Deborah Harry	...	Delores
Joe Grifasi	...	Leo
Evan Dando	...	Jeff
David Patrick Kelly	...	Grey Man in Hospital
Marian Quinn	...	Darlene
Meg Hartig	...	Donna
Zandy Hartig	...	Jean
Peter Ortel	...	Tony
George Alvarez	...	Orderly
Cordis Heard	...	Nurse
J.C. MacKenzie	...	Gas Man (as J.C. Mackenzie)
Allan D'Arcangelo	...	Sonny

Also Known As:

Upstate Story (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Culinary Institute of America, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA

Company:

Available Light Productions

Trivia:

Charles Thompson (aka Frank Black) of the Pixies says on a deleted scene of loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies (2006), that he was approached for the part of Victor. He turned it down, saying he "didn't want to play that type of character".

Quotes:

Victor: Can't you be nicer to her?
Delores: Nice? Did you hear what she said to me?
Victor: You don't have to be nice... just nicer.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cop Land (1997)

Soundtrack:

Lost

He's a man so shy, he doesn't even think he deserves love...

Solemn, but terrific mood piece about a shy, chubby cook in a rivertown restaurant who fantasizes about getting to know the new waitress who just hired on, a perky young thing with long brunette hair and a big charming smile. Graceful film never goes the commercial route, injecting shady characters into the mix or throwing in some kind of kookiness to give the film comedic uplift. The picture is all on one level, which may drive some viewers batty with impatience, but I found the whole thing quietly invigorating. The lead character, Victor (Pruitt Taylor Vince), daydreams, watches airplanes, has secret hopes; he's a loner, and the filmmakers are careful not to flood the screen with potential conquests. There's Debbie Harry as a loose waitress with weary eyes and Liv Tyler, the new hire, who brings fantasy into Victor's life, but, as with all fantasies, the advent of reality diffuses the passionate tension. Everyone is sad in this film, and I imagine some audiences won't get with it, but I admire director James Mangold for putting this story on film so eloquently. It's a new "Marty". *** from ****