Marj Dusay, who played an alien who stole Spock's brain on Star Trek and worked on five daytime soap operas during her career, has died. She was 83.
Dusay died Tuesday of natural causes at her home in Manhattan, her son-in-law, David Blocker, announced.
Dusay also portrayed the mother of Lisa Whelchel's Blair Warner on NBC's The Facts of Life and appeared opposite Gregory Peck as the wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in MacArthur (1977).
The Kansas native stepped in for the ailing Carolyn Jones as Myrna Clegg on CBS' Capitol in 1983 and went ...
Dusay died Tuesday of natural causes at her home in Manhattan, her son-in-law, David Blocker, announced.
Dusay also portrayed the mother of Lisa Whelchel's Blair Warner on NBC's The Facts of Life and appeared opposite Gregory Peck as the wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in MacArthur (1977).
The Kansas native stepped in for the ailing Carolyn Jones as Myrna Clegg on CBS' Capitol in 1983 and went ...
- 1/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Marj Dusay, who played an alien who stole Spock's brain on Star Trek and worked on five daytime soap operas during her career, has died. She was 83.
Dusay died Tuesday of natural causes at her home in Manhattan, her son-in-law, David Blocker, announced.
Dusay also portrayed the mother of Lisa Whelchel's Blair Warner on NBC's The Facts of Life and appeared opposite Gregory Peck as the wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in MacArthur (1977).
The Kansas native stepped in for the ailing Carolyn Jones as Myrna Clegg on CBS' Capitol in 1983 and went ...
Dusay died Tuesday of natural causes at her home in Manhattan, her son-in-law, David Blocker, announced.
Dusay also portrayed the mother of Lisa Whelchel's Blair Warner on NBC's The Facts of Life and appeared opposite Gregory Peck as the wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in MacArthur (1977).
The Kansas native stepped in for the ailing Carolyn Jones as Myrna Clegg on CBS' Capitol in 1983 and went ...
- 1/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Shannara Chronicles unit still.
Auckland is building a strong reputation for producing high quality large-scale television after hosting MTV.s first foray into the epic fantasy genre.
The Shannara Chronicles, based on the popular Terry Brooks. novels and adapted by Al Gough and Miles Millar, has already garnered a strong audience internationally and has the potential to become a long running series.
Co-executive producer, David Blocker, (Into the Wild, Frailty, Hannah Montana: The Movie) says the show has been a success in all of its markets.
.In the Us it had delivered beyond what MTV had expected and that.s hard because they expected a lot,. he says..
.The books were written in the 70s, so there.s an audience of people who are older,. he says. .The show is prepared for late teens to mid-twenties, but because of the fan base (from the novels) I run into people...
Auckland is building a strong reputation for producing high quality large-scale television after hosting MTV.s first foray into the epic fantasy genre.
The Shannara Chronicles, based on the popular Terry Brooks. novels and adapted by Al Gough and Miles Millar, has already garnered a strong audience internationally and has the potential to become a long running series.
Co-executive producer, David Blocker, (Into the Wild, Frailty, Hannah Montana: The Movie) says the show has been a success in all of its markets.
.In the Us it had delivered beyond what MTV had expected and that.s hard because they expected a lot,. he says..
.The books were written in the 70s, so there.s an audience of people who are older,. he says. .The show is prepared for late teens to mid-twenties, but because of the fan base (from the novels) I run into people...
- 2/19/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
The Shannara Chronicles unit still.
Auckland is building a strong reputation for producing high quality large-scale television after hosting MTV.s first foray into the epic fantasy genre.
The Shannara Chronicles, based on the popular Terry Brooks. novels and adapted by Al Gough and Miles Millar, has already garnered a strong audience internationally and has the potential to become a long running series.
Co-executive producer, David Blocker, (Into the Wild, Frailty, Hannah Montana: The Movie) says the show has been a success in all of its markets.
.In the Us it had delivered beyond what MTV had expected and that.s hard because they expected a lot,. he says..
.The books were written in the 70s, so there.s an audience of people who are older,. he says. .The show is prepared for late teens to mid-twenties, but because of the fan base (from the novels) I run into people...
Auckland is building a strong reputation for producing high quality large-scale television after hosting MTV.s first foray into the epic fantasy genre.
The Shannara Chronicles, based on the popular Terry Brooks. novels and adapted by Al Gough and Miles Millar, has already garnered a strong audience internationally and has the potential to become a long running series.
Co-executive producer, David Blocker, (Into the Wild, Frailty, Hannah Montana: The Movie) says the show has been a success in all of its markets.
.In the Us it had delivered beyond what MTV had expected and that.s hard because they expected a lot,. he says..
.The books were written in the 70s, so there.s an audience of people who are older,. he says. .The show is prepared for late teens to mid-twenties, but because of the fan base (from the novels) I run into people...
- 2/19/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Alan Rudolph goes all mushy on us, but in a good way. This loose, somewhat cartoonish comedy pits detectives Tom Berenger and Elizabeth Perkins on opposite sides of a hot case. All they uncover is one illicit love affair after another... while getting personally involved too. A quirky romantic favorite. Love at Large Blu-ray Kl Studio Classics 1990 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date December 1, 2015 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Tom Berenger, Elizabeth Perkins, Anne Archer, Kate Capshaw, Annette O'Toole, Ted Levine, Ann Magnuson, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ruby Dee, Barry Miller, Neil Young Cinematography Elliot Davis Production Designer Steven Legler Art Direction Steve Karatzas Film Editor Lisa Zeno Churgin Original Music Mark Isham, Warren Zevon Produced by Stuart M. Besser, David Blocker, Dana Mayer Written and Directed by Alan Rudolph
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
This charming little movie went nowhere in 1990, but it still pleases this reviewer, from its odd...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
This charming little movie went nowhere in 1990, but it still pleases this reviewer, from its odd...
- 12/5/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Chicago – This 11-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2009 including new films starring Isla Fisher, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, John Travolta, Ryan Reynolds, Josh Duhamel, and the newest Pixar film.
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
- 12/22/2008
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Michael Weaver has scored a leading role in The Greatest Game Ever Played for Walt Disney Pictures. Weaver will play the role of John J. McDermott, the defending champion in the 1913 U.S. Open, a character who has no intention of letting any Brit take the championship. He didn't need to worry. Based on the true story of the 1913 Open, the film also stars Shia LaBeouf as Francis Ouimet, an amateur golfer from Massachusetts who stunned the world by winning the tournament and beating British champion Harry Vardon, who was the leading golfer of his day. The film is written by and based on Mark Frost's best seller The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet and the Birth of Modern Golf. Bill Paxton is set to direct, with Larry Brezner, Mark Frost and David Blocker producing and David Steinberg executive producing. Jason Reed is overseeing for the studio. Production is slated to begin late July. Weaver's recent credits include UPN's The Mullets as well as feature films Club Dread and Super Troopers. Weaver is represented by Untitled Entertainment and Paul Kohner Agency.
- 5/25/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Breakfast of Champions" is one of those unfortunate what-were-they-thinking films that even the most talented filmmakers can produce. The Alan Rudolph film spins crazily out of control virtually from the first frame, and few viewers are likely to get a purchase on the bizarre dark satire.
Buena Vista has a tremendous challenge in marketing a film that stars Bruce Willis, but nevertheless has all the earmarks of a cult film only a handful will appreciate.
The film derives from a novel by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., one of America's best contemporary writers, but one whose works invariably defy film adaptation. His stories very much take place on the pages of his books and in the minds of his readers. Filmmakers who attempt to translate literally his playful prose into the stuff of movies -- scenes with actors and dialogue -- will usually miss the essence of the novel.
"Breakfast of Champions" is about a man losing his grip on reality. The suicidal protagonist is Dwayne Hoover (Willis), who runs the biggest car dealership in Midland City. His pill-popping wife Celia (Barbara Hershey) spends her day in front of the TV, switching channels to watch commercials, while his mistress/secretary Francine (Glenne Headly) runs his financial empire.
Dwayne's sales manager Harry (Nick Nolte in the film's only truly funny performance) wears funereal black at work, but is terrified people will learn that at home with his let-it-all-hang-out wife (Vicki Lewis) he adores to don women's clothing.
Meanwhile, in the fallout shelter at his house, Dwayne's son (Lukas Haas) works on his piano act. And Kilgore Trout (Albert Finney), an impoverished writer whose works are only published in porn magazines, sets out for Midland City as the guest of honor at its arts festival.
The movie lurches from one frenetic scene to the next without much plot as a guide. So whatever satire of the American hinterland Rudolph hoped to achieve gets lost in this disorienting continuity.
The actors are over the top from their first appearances, leaving them nowhere to go in developing their characters. And the art direction and cinematography favor clutter and movement to the point that the viewer's eye has no clue where to look.
"Breakfast of Champions" contains too many visual calories but is dramatically undernourished.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Hollywood Pictures/Flying Heart Films
Producers: David Blocker, David Willis
Writer-director: Alan Rudolph
Based on the novel by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Director of photography: Elliot Davis
Production designer: Nina Ruscio
Music: Mark Isham
Costume designer: Rudy Dillon
Editor: Suzy Elmiger
Color/stereo
Cast:
Dwayne Hoover: Bruce Willis
Kilgore Trout: Albert Finney
Harry Le Sabre: Nick Nolte
Celia Hoover: Barbara Hershey
Francine Pefko: Glenne Headly
Bunny Hoover: Lukas Haas
Wayne Hoobler: Omar Epps
Fred T. Barry: Buck Henry
Grace Le Sabre: Vicki Lewis
Eliot Rosewater: Ken Campbell
Running time -- 110 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Buena Vista has a tremendous challenge in marketing a film that stars Bruce Willis, but nevertheless has all the earmarks of a cult film only a handful will appreciate.
The film derives from a novel by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., one of America's best contemporary writers, but one whose works invariably defy film adaptation. His stories very much take place on the pages of his books and in the minds of his readers. Filmmakers who attempt to translate literally his playful prose into the stuff of movies -- scenes with actors and dialogue -- will usually miss the essence of the novel.
"Breakfast of Champions" is about a man losing his grip on reality. The suicidal protagonist is Dwayne Hoover (Willis), who runs the biggest car dealership in Midland City. His pill-popping wife Celia (Barbara Hershey) spends her day in front of the TV, switching channels to watch commercials, while his mistress/secretary Francine (Glenne Headly) runs his financial empire.
Dwayne's sales manager Harry (Nick Nolte in the film's only truly funny performance) wears funereal black at work, but is terrified people will learn that at home with his let-it-all-hang-out wife (Vicki Lewis) he adores to don women's clothing.
Meanwhile, in the fallout shelter at his house, Dwayne's son (Lukas Haas) works on his piano act. And Kilgore Trout (Albert Finney), an impoverished writer whose works are only published in porn magazines, sets out for Midland City as the guest of honor at its arts festival.
The movie lurches from one frenetic scene to the next without much plot as a guide. So whatever satire of the American hinterland Rudolph hoped to achieve gets lost in this disorienting continuity.
The actors are over the top from their first appearances, leaving them nowhere to go in developing their characters. And the art direction and cinematography favor clutter and movement to the point that the viewer's eye has no clue where to look.
"Breakfast of Champions" contains too many visual calories but is dramatically undernourished.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Hollywood Pictures/Flying Heart Films
Producers: David Blocker, David Willis
Writer-director: Alan Rudolph
Based on the novel by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Director of photography: Elliot Davis
Production designer: Nina Ruscio
Music: Mark Isham
Costume designer: Rudy Dillon
Editor: Suzy Elmiger
Color/stereo
Cast:
Dwayne Hoover: Bruce Willis
Kilgore Trout: Albert Finney
Harry Le Sabre: Nick Nolte
Celia Hoover: Barbara Hershey
Francine Pefko: Glenne Headly
Bunny Hoover: Lukas Haas
Wayne Hoobler: Omar Epps
Fred T. Barry: Buck Henry
Grace Le Sabre: Vicki Lewis
Eliot Rosewater: Ken Campbell
Running time -- 110 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 9/17/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By Patrick Z. McGavin in Berlin
Alan Rudolph's "Breakfast of Champions" is one of the most thoroughly strange, offhanded and improbable movies ever conceived for wide distribution.
It doesn't begin to succeed on all the levels Rudolph intends, but as a work of the imagination, it has something to say about American culture and society and -- just as important -- has the guts, integrity and daring to attempt something utterly different.
Sadly, if the reaction at the Berlin Film Festival is indicative, "Breakfast" is bound for a quick, unceremonious fade from public view.
Rudolph moves from the stylized, dreamlike imagery of his "Choose Me" and "Trouble in Mind" toward complete abstraction in realizing Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s convulsive Orwellian satire.
Published in 1973, Vonnegut's book was about the end of the '60s and the collapse of the counterculture, giving way to the rise of the advertising culture. Rudolph has made one serious error in contemporizing the material: The incessant television ads of the film's hapless protagonist lose a great deal of social context given the overmediated present-day culture. Otherwise, the film is remarkably faithful to the novel, reimagining Vonnegut's Midland City as a surreal landscape inhabited by freaks, opportunists and outcasts who pursue their peculiar notions of freedom and liberation.
Visually, through his shrewd use of the close-up and the off-center framing, Rudolph even incorporates many of the funny, absurd drawings Vonnegut used to periodically support his narrative.
Bruce Willis, who financed the movie's postproduction costs and owns the negative, plays Midland City's most powerful businessman, car magnate Dwayne Hoover.
He's given to constant hallucinations and waking nightmares involving his loopy, apparently unbalanced wife (Barbara Hershey); the son (Lukas Haas) who has rejected him; a demanding mistress (Glenne Headly); and most spectacularly, his top salesman Harry Le Sabre (Nick Nolte, as impressive as ever), who is paranoid that Dwayne has discovered his fetish for dressing in women's clothes.
Rudolph adroitly counterpoints these movements against the story of science fiction novelist Kilgore Trout (Albert Finney). Trout is summoned by a local benefactor (Buck Henry) to be guest speaker at an arts festival.
Here the two dominant narrative threads play off against each other in generally interesting, dynamic ways. Rudolph loses himself in the impressionistic visuals and free-form images that give the film its peculiar fluency and range. If he has softened the novel's ending, Rudolph has honored its bleakly acid vision.
What's most fascinating about the film is the fearlessness exhibited by Willis and Nolte. They throw themselves into their parts with such abandon that they are able to make this an admirable and compelling work despite its numerous imperfections. Willis and Nolte push themselves -- and the audience -- in exciting and unexpected ways.
Finally, Willis joins select, important company -- that of Orson Welles and John Cassavetes -- in using the money he's earned from his commercial projects to make something far more unusual and lasting.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Flying Heart Films
Summit Entertainment
An Alan Rudolph film
Credits: Producers: David Blocker, David Willis; Director-screenwriter: Alan Rudolph; Based on the novel by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Director of photography: Elliot Davis; Editor: Suzy Elmiger; Production designer: Nina Ruscio; Music: Mark Isham; Songs: Martin Denny;
Cast: Dwayne Hoover: Bruce Willis; Kilgore Trout: Albert Finney; Harry Le Sabre: Nick Nolte; Celia Hoover: Barbara Hershey; Bunny Hoover: Lukas Haas; Wayne Hoobler: Omar Epps; Francine Pefco: Glenne Headly; Fred T. Barry: Buck Henry.
MPAA rating: R
Color/stereo. Running Time -110 minutes.
Alan Rudolph's "Breakfast of Champions" is one of the most thoroughly strange, offhanded and improbable movies ever conceived for wide distribution.
It doesn't begin to succeed on all the levels Rudolph intends, but as a work of the imagination, it has something to say about American culture and society and -- just as important -- has the guts, integrity and daring to attempt something utterly different.
Sadly, if the reaction at the Berlin Film Festival is indicative, "Breakfast" is bound for a quick, unceremonious fade from public view.
Rudolph moves from the stylized, dreamlike imagery of his "Choose Me" and "Trouble in Mind" toward complete abstraction in realizing Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s convulsive Orwellian satire.
Published in 1973, Vonnegut's book was about the end of the '60s and the collapse of the counterculture, giving way to the rise of the advertising culture. Rudolph has made one serious error in contemporizing the material: The incessant television ads of the film's hapless protagonist lose a great deal of social context given the overmediated present-day culture. Otherwise, the film is remarkably faithful to the novel, reimagining Vonnegut's Midland City as a surreal landscape inhabited by freaks, opportunists and outcasts who pursue their peculiar notions of freedom and liberation.
Visually, through his shrewd use of the close-up and the off-center framing, Rudolph even incorporates many of the funny, absurd drawings Vonnegut used to periodically support his narrative.
Bruce Willis, who financed the movie's postproduction costs and owns the negative, plays Midland City's most powerful businessman, car magnate Dwayne Hoover.
He's given to constant hallucinations and waking nightmares involving his loopy, apparently unbalanced wife (Barbara Hershey); the son (Lukas Haas) who has rejected him; a demanding mistress (Glenne Headly); and most spectacularly, his top salesman Harry Le Sabre (Nick Nolte, as impressive as ever), who is paranoid that Dwayne has discovered his fetish for dressing in women's clothes.
Rudolph adroitly counterpoints these movements against the story of science fiction novelist Kilgore Trout (Albert Finney). Trout is summoned by a local benefactor (Buck Henry) to be guest speaker at an arts festival.
Here the two dominant narrative threads play off against each other in generally interesting, dynamic ways. Rudolph loses himself in the impressionistic visuals and free-form images that give the film its peculiar fluency and range. If he has softened the novel's ending, Rudolph has honored its bleakly acid vision.
What's most fascinating about the film is the fearlessness exhibited by Willis and Nolte. They throw themselves into their parts with such abandon that they are able to make this an admirable and compelling work despite its numerous imperfections. Willis and Nolte push themselves -- and the audience -- in exciting and unexpected ways.
Finally, Willis joins select, important company -- that of Orson Welles and John Cassavetes -- in using the money he's earned from his commercial projects to make something far more unusual and lasting.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Flying Heart Films
Summit Entertainment
An Alan Rudolph film
Credits: Producers: David Blocker, David Willis; Director-screenwriter: Alan Rudolph; Based on the novel by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Director of photography: Elliot Davis; Editor: Suzy Elmiger; Production designer: Nina Ruscio; Music: Mark Isham; Songs: Martin Denny;
Cast: Dwayne Hoover: Bruce Willis; Kilgore Trout: Albert Finney; Harry Le Sabre: Nick Nolte; Celia Hoover: Barbara Hershey; Bunny Hoover: Lukas Haas; Wayne Hoobler: Omar Epps; Francine Pefco: Glenne Headly; Fred T. Barry: Buck Henry.
MPAA rating: R
Color/stereo. Running Time -110 minutes.
- 2/16/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The world of nomadic con men has always proved irresistible to moviemakers, and "Traveller" is but the latest example of this cinematic fascination.
A tale of Irish gypsies who roam the Deep South perpetrating frauds large and small, Jack Green's directorial debut is an entertaining if not particularly weighty comedy-thriller that benefits from the presence of the ingratiating Bill Paxton in the central role.
Like the character he plays, the actor -- who also co-produced -- works his way into your good graces and compels you to forgo any logical objections.
Paxton is Bokky, a typical member of the Travellers, as gypsies are called in England. His specialty is a scam involving fake home repairs. One day, while Bokky is hanging out with the group's leader Boss Jack (Luke Askew), a young man approaches them. Pat Mark Wahlberg) is the son of a recently deceased former Traveller who was cast out of the group for marrying an outsider. He has come to bury his father and wants to learn the ways of the tribe. Boss Jack is resistant, but Bokky agrees to take him under his wing and teach him the ways of the con.
One of their first adventures involves the swindling of an attractive young bartender, Jean (Julianna Margulies), but Bokky finds himself smitten with her and returns her money. The pair develop a relationship, and Bokky thinks about going straight.
Naturally, he must pull one last big heist, the targets of which are a gangster and his vicious henchmen. For this scam, Bokky and Pat are joined by the hard-boiled veteran, Double D (James Gammon).
"Traveller" is entertaining enough on its own terms, but it fails to achieve any real depth or consistency in its tone and quality. Jim McGlynn's screenplay seems seriously underdeveloped, especially in terms of the various subplots, and turns particularly sloppy and unconvincing in its depiction of the final sting and the bloody aftermath. Dramatic motivations are at a minimum, and the romantic relationships that develop between Bokky and Jean, as well as with Pat and Boss Jack's young daughter, are unconvincingly rendered.
Still, there are some amusing anecdotes, and Paxton is so inherently likable as Bokky that you somehow don't mind the fact that the character spends his time cheating hard-working people out of their money. Margulies combines sexiness and sensitivity as his romantic foil, and Wahlberg transmits his usual brand of youthful cockiness. Gammon, the veteran actor with the voice of a muffled foghorn, is a delight and garners most of the film's laughs.
Green, who has had a distinguished career as a cinematographer (eight Clint Eastwood films including "Unforgiven"), makes a fine directorial debut, beautifully capturing the ambiance of the Travellers' distinctive subculture. The film's atmosphere is greatly enhanced by the musical soundtrack, which includes Randy Travis' terrific cover version of "King of the Road" during the opening credits.
TRAVELLER
October Films
Director Jack Green
Screenplay Jim McGlynn
Producers Bill Paxton, Brian Swardstrom,
Mickey Liddell, David Blocker
Executive producer Robert Mickelson,
Rick King
Editor Michael Ruscio
Music Andy Paley
Color/stereo
Cast:
Bokky Bill Paxton
Pat Mark Wahlberg
Jean Julianna Margulies
Double D James Gammon
Boss Jack Luke Askew
Kate Nikki Deloach
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A tale of Irish gypsies who roam the Deep South perpetrating frauds large and small, Jack Green's directorial debut is an entertaining if not particularly weighty comedy-thriller that benefits from the presence of the ingratiating Bill Paxton in the central role.
Like the character he plays, the actor -- who also co-produced -- works his way into your good graces and compels you to forgo any logical objections.
Paxton is Bokky, a typical member of the Travellers, as gypsies are called in England. His specialty is a scam involving fake home repairs. One day, while Bokky is hanging out with the group's leader Boss Jack (Luke Askew), a young man approaches them. Pat Mark Wahlberg) is the son of a recently deceased former Traveller who was cast out of the group for marrying an outsider. He has come to bury his father and wants to learn the ways of the tribe. Boss Jack is resistant, but Bokky agrees to take him under his wing and teach him the ways of the con.
One of their first adventures involves the swindling of an attractive young bartender, Jean (Julianna Margulies), but Bokky finds himself smitten with her and returns her money. The pair develop a relationship, and Bokky thinks about going straight.
Naturally, he must pull one last big heist, the targets of which are a gangster and his vicious henchmen. For this scam, Bokky and Pat are joined by the hard-boiled veteran, Double D (James Gammon).
"Traveller" is entertaining enough on its own terms, but it fails to achieve any real depth or consistency in its tone and quality. Jim McGlynn's screenplay seems seriously underdeveloped, especially in terms of the various subplots, and turns particularly sloppy and unconvincing in its depiction of the final sting and the bloody aftermath. Dramatic motivations are at a minimum, and the romantic relationships that develop between Bokky and Jean, as well as with Pat and Boss Jack's young daughter, are unconvincingly rendered.
Still, there are some amusing anecdotes, and Paxton is so inherently likable as Bokky that you somehow don't mind the fact that the character spends his time cheating hard-working people out of their money. Margulies combines sexiness and sensitivity as his romantic foil, and Wahlberg transmits his usual brand of youthful cockiness. Gammon, the veteran actor with the voice of a muffled foghorn, is a delight and garners most of the film's laughs.
Green, who has had a distinguished career as a cinematographer (eight Clint Eastwood films including "Unforgiven"), makes a fine directorial debut, beautifully capturing the ambiance of the Travellers' distinctive subculture. The film's atmosphere is greatly enhanced by the musical soundtrack, which includes Randy Travis' terrific cover version of "King of the Road" during the opening credits.
TRAVELLER
October Films
Director Jack Green
Screenplay Jim McGlynn
Producers Bill Paxton, Brian Swardstrom,
Mickey Liddell, David Blocker
Executive producer Robert Mickelson,
Rick King
Editor Michael Ruscio
Music Andy Paley
Color/stereo
Cast:
Bokky Bill Paxton
Pat Mark Wahlberg
Jean Julianna Margulies
Double D James Gammon
Boss Jack Luke Askew
Kate Nikki Deloach
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 4/18/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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