Directed by:
Paul MazurskyCinematography:
László KovácsCast:
Donald Sutherland, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Lerner, Joan Delaney, Paul Mazursky, Federico Fellini, Jeanne Moreau, Angelo Rossitto, Boyd 'Red' Morgan (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Paul Mazursky wrote and directed this semiautobiographical film about Alex, a director (Donald Sutherland) who achieves overnight success with his debut effort and is confused and angst-ridden at the thought of his second project. An homage to Federico Fellini's classic tale of filmmaker's angst, 8 1/2, the film also serves as a tribute to creating cinema while parodying Hollywood's many excesses. Alex is deeply troubled by the future of his art, mired in confusion and mystery, and lost in a world he no longer recognizes. Mazursky skillfully combines surreal fantasy with biting satire as Alex attempts to navigate the world that has become a bizarre looking glass like Alice dropped into the mysterious Wonderland. Ellen Burstyn costars as Alex's wife, who quietly accepts her husband's eccentricities while shopping for a new home and attempting to live a normal life in Hollywood with their two young daughters, Amy (Meg Mazursky) and Nancy (Glenna Sargent). Alex's search for inspiration leads him on many bizarre journeys, including a trip to Italy, where he meets his cinematic idol, Federico Fellini (who appears as himself), goes on an acid trip with friends, and has a chance encounter with French star Jeanne Moreau, who appears in a marvelous fantasy sequence. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Donald Sutherland
Canada
Best movies:
The Simpsons: Dark Secrets (1998) (video compilation)
Lord of War (2005)
JFK (1991)
Ellen Burstyn
USA
Best movies:
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Interstellar (2014)
Same Time, Next Year (1978)
Michael Lerner
USA
Best movies:
Barton Fink (1991)
Outlaw Blues (1977)
Newsies (1992)
Joan Delaney
Best movies:
Scenes from a Mall (1991)
The President's Analyst (1967)
Paul Mazursky
USA
Best movies:
Carlito's Way (1993)
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
Antz (1998)
Federico Fellini
Italy
Best movies:
Roma (1972)
L'Amore (1948)
Intervista (1987)
Jeanne Moreau
France
Best movies:
Dialogue with the Carmelites (1960)
The 400 Blows (1959)
Back to the Wall (1958)
Angelo Rossitto
USA
Best movies:
Freaks (1932)
The Baron of Arizona (1950)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan
USA
Best movies:
The Defiant Ones (1958)
Spartacus (1960)
Dirty Harry (1971)
Virginia Hawkins
USA
Best movies:
Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) (TV movie)
Bitter Vengeance (1994) (TV movie)
Down, Out & Dangerous (1995) (TV movie)
Moss Mabry
USA
Murray Pollack
USA
Best movies:
North by Northwest (1959)
What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Giant (1956)
George Reynolds
USA
Best movies:
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Mr. Horn (1979) (TV movie)