The Man from Elysian Fields (2001)

Add The Man from Elysian Fields to the list of essential movies about the pains of writing. This wry comedy-drama charts the frustrations of a financially strapped novelist (Andy Garcia) as he desperately and secretly agrees to be an "escort" for ladies who need, ah, escorting. This leads him into a Faustian bargain to help a beautiful client (Olivia Williams) whose husband, a once-great, now-dying writer (a mighty James Coburn), is struggling with a final work. Of course the fact that the men are sharing a project and a woman complicates matters--and Garcia's loyal wife (Julianna Margulies) is curious about all these nights spent away. The movie explores different levels of compromise and betrayal, yet it remains tartly amusing throughout. And it has a glorious casting inspiration: the director of the mysterious escort service is played by Mick Jagger, looking decadently elegant and purring like a vaguely satanic Siamese cat. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

lesson of the movie Make sure you have something in writing.

The plot is extremely good. A writer in the dumps who needs money for his family takes a job with an escort service. He gets involved in one client problems. Who in the end, treats like what he is a paid prostitute. In the process, he losses his family.

The acting is good. In particular, I liked Mick Jagger. Who I think is a good actor.


March 25, 2007

Best Bad Film I've Ever Seen

This is worth seeing -- solid cast, solid acting, script with good potential and some good moments. Mick Jagger, as many have said, is very good. I personally had no idea he could act, and as soon as I realized he had a key role in what was promised to be a serious drama, I was disheartened. But I was very, very pleasantly surprised. If only for his sake, I wish this were a better film, or that at least it had gotten some attention. I frankly, had never even heard of it, and just happened to stumble across the DVD in the Public Library.

The film had enough potential that its lapses into folly and caricature were nearly unforgiveable. Earlier in the film, Julianna Margulies' character demonstrated a cloying interpretation of unconditional love that was more suited to a giggling adolescent than a mature adult. Margulies's acting displays sufficient range and intelligence in the film that it was clear (to me, anyway) that the fault for this early characterization lay more in the writing and direction than in any lack of skill on the part of the actor. Her character's father was portrayed as the cliched one-dimensional "I told my daughter you'd never amount to anything!" jerk.

There are a number of early scenes (particularly those used to set up the desperation of Garcia's character) that are so exaggerated or implausible that they do a real disservice to the film. Such exaggeration might work in a film more unapologetically committed to an allegorical approach (e.g., 'The Devil's Advocate'), but this film can't quite decide what it wants to be.

Worth seeing though. Some good stuff in there. November 18, 2006

A pleasant surprise

I only rented this dvd because I wanted to see Mick Jagger in a serious role.
Much to my surprise, not only was he brilliant but the movie, I thought, was a pure gem.
Incredibly witty dialogue combined with a suberb ensemble of talent, the Man From Elysian Fields is one that could be labeled "a true sleeper".
It is rare to get to see Mick Jagger as an adult and what an outstanding job he did.
There is one scene in particular where he is proposing to Angelica Houston to leave her husband and marry him.
She pretty much laughs in his face and Jagger tries to shove it off like he wasn't hurt and it was incidental, but the expression on his face was full of devastation despite appearing to be laughing with her. Incredible.
You will laugh, cry and hopefully we all appreciate what we have a little more rather than focusing on the things we want, or, think we want.
Great, great movie.
These type are becoming fewer and further between. April 7, 2006

I wish one could rate a movie 2.5 stars!

This movie tries really, really hard to be meaningful and insightful and, at times, it actually gets there. Unfortunately, it never quite pulls its story together and the ending is way simplistic and insulting. Still, Andy Garcia is very sympathetic while the real revelation is Mick Jagger who does an excellent job as the devilish pimp. Angelica Huston is also excellent in a small supporting role for which she barely gets credit (odd for an Oscar winner??!!). Anyway, I can't say I'd tell any friends about this movie or recommend it to anyone personally, but if you happen across it and watch it, you'll find a few things to like and a few to dislike. 2.5 stars. January 16, 2006

To be or not to be loved.

Did not know about this film. I just found it at the video store on saturday.
The kind of film that you do not know why it is not a famous picture.
Very interesting subject. Changing roles; he is the one who has to be a prostitute to support his family. Very interesting, I do not think there are much more films about it.
Andy Garcia plays with the image of "latin lover" to give just the opposite message. "You can have a lot of things as a latin lover, but you also can loose everything because of it".
I think that alaso talks abou the way of living that we have; what is more important , to have a high level life or to have the ones you have besides. As it happens with Mick Jagger's character, at the end, what it is really important is love and be love.All the characters in the film do things because of love, to themselves or the others and all of them, are fighting till the end trying not to be alone. To betrayed yourself and others, to loose things in fighting for a dream....(Great perfomance of Jagger, never thought of him like a gentlemen, very elegant).
Good performaces in general, good soundtrack and a very good slow rythm in general. Very interesting film, I recommend it absolutely. November 8, 2005

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