Ivansxtc

Great Britain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SYNOPSIS: Bernard Rose directed this look at the sordid underside of the film business and one man's attempts to come to terms with his mortality in this fallen world, in a story loosely based on Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Ivan Beckman (Danny Huston), a hot-shot talent agent at the powerful Media Talent Agency, unexpectedly dies, and soon his colleagues are scrambling among themselves over the shards of Ivan's leftover business, with Barry Oaks (Adam Krentzman) eager to take over representation of Don West (Peter Weller), a major star Ivan signed shortly before his death. Everyone assumes that Ivan died of a drug overdose, but as viewers watch his last few days in flashback, they learn that Ivan was diagnosed with a severe case of lung cancer as he was trying to put together a deal with firebrand director Danny McTeague (James Merendino), actress Constanza Vero (Valeria Golino), and West. As the dynamic businessman is forced to confront his mortality, he is dragged into a binge of booze, drugs, and women with West, while he also tries to decide how to confront his family and his girlfriend Charlotte (Lisa Enos) with the grim news about his health. Ivansxtc. (To Live and Die in Hollywood) was shot using digital video equipment and a skeleton crew -- according to Rose, a reaction in part to studio interference over his 1997 adaptation of another Tolstoy work, Anna Karenina. SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Interactive Menu, Product Description

Lost little gem.

Ran out to this in a little theatre in L.A. after 'The Weekly' did a great write-up on it. It's a shame it's lingered in post-theatrical to DVD purgatory but it's of no surprise. Based on the Tolstoy novel, 'The Death of Ivan Ilyitch', this re-telling is set to the back-drop of Hollywood. Or, more specifically, the power talent agency CAA.
This gritty, sharp tale is shot on DV which only adds to it's documentary allure. I can't imagine the powers-that-be were thrilled with their depiction as now this can only be found in the U.K.
An early-career Danny Huston is fantastic.
I guess one shouldn't surprised when you bite the hands of power where they place you.
Someone rescue this, please, cause it just reminds me that Capitalism is it's own form of censorship. (Note; there are on-line hacks to 'open-up' the regions on your dvd player for discs like this.) December 6, 2007

One of the best movies I have seen in the last 10 years!!!

Unfortunately, I have never seen it on DVD, only video. If you can find this movie, watch it!! Great writing, great acting, great soundtrack, amazing performance from Danny Huston. Why isn't this film easier to find? It is a must see. November 28, 2006

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