Plot
A filmmaker sets out to make a new project in order to figure out how he's screwed up every relationship he's ever had.
Release Year: 2013
Rating: 7.2/10 (67 voted)
Critic's Score: 30/100
Director: Howard Goldberg
Stars: Elias Koteas, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Virginia Madsen
Storyline
Jake Klein, 50, sets out to make a movie. He hires an actor to play himself and throws a big party. His idea is to shoot the heck out of it and see what he gets. But, everything spins out of control as different, unexpected people show up. Old loves are there. New loves are there. His dead father, his mother when she was young, his kids, his ex-wife. Even his younger selves, Jake at 40, Jake at 30 and Jake at 17, are there, too! And every one of them has tons of advice on how to fix his screwed up life. Jake's head reels as he staggers through what's either a mystical experience, a nervous breakdown... or both!
Cast: Elias Koteas -
Jake Klein
Jennifer Jason Leigh -
Sheryl
Virginia Madsen -
Beth
Kevin Railsback -
Young Jake
Jane Seymour -
Joanne
Mike Vogel -
Actor Jake
Gia Mantegna -
Sarah
Tanner Buchanan -
Sammy
Ron Gilbert -
Mitch Klein
Kerry Stein -
Grandfather
Meredith Salenger -
Mom
Liana Liberato -
Young Joanne
Susan Traylor -
Actor Jocelyn
Kelly Pendygraft -
Actor Beth
Yetta Gottesman -
J Date Woman
Filming Locations: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 10/10
I've never written a review for a movie before though I have worked in
the movie business for a long time! I saw this movie at the Downtown
Film Festival Los Angeles.
Here's what I think:
You will be given countless opportunities to see movies about perfect
people (portraying underdogs) saving a town/country/world/universe BUT
very few chances to see a movie that teaches you something interesting
and new about the human condition. This movie succeeds in illuminating
the human condition, especially aging men looking for love. I have had
daydreams similar to several scenes in this movie, but could not
articulate them like Howard Goldberg does. The movie is very "meta";
it's self-reflexive and self-deprecating. Elias Koteas plays four
different ages of himself and they talk to each other (along with other
actors playing his character). Some of his acting and Goldberg's
writing reminded me of conversations I've had with myself, and at other
times it reminded me of things I've talked to my father about. To me
there are very few movies that really discuss what it's like to be a
man. Not a macho man, or a sex crazed man, but just a man, warts and
all. This movie really shows it, the loneliness, the need for love, the
second guessing, and a lot more. It still funny, and wonderfully acted,
and stressful. I never knew what was coming, because of its
originality.
I don't want to give away too much, just go see it.
0