Directed by Monika Mitchell. Starring John Cassini, Molly Parker, Jennifer Beals, Sandra Oh, Kevin Corrigan, Eric Roberts, Rene Rivera, Danny Nucci, Frank Cassini. Drama/comedy. Synopsis: An offbeat and darkly humorous story of a talented, but struggling actor who finds long awaited success of after going to great lengths to beat out his fellow actors when competing for roles, then finds he cannot stop doing it as his career takes off, even though he has found success and the right girl.
Now, this is one that I really, really liked. Picked it up without knowing anything about, just reading the DVD cover and seeing two of my favorite actresses, Parker and Beals, in the movie was enough to convince me to give it a shot.
And I was not disappointed.
The story is a neat one, that of a struggling actor (John Cassini) who seems to have the drive, the talent, and the work ethic to make it as an actor, he just does not have the luck. Behind on his bills, and playing in empty theaters while his good friend in acting (Jennifer Beals) gets a big break and then loses it, our hero is at his wits end. It seems that he is always second best in getting the big parts.
All of that changes when, after yet another audition in which he will come out second best, he has the impulse to break the leg of the star (Danny Nucci). Incredibly, a freak accident occurs during the assault that results in the death of the star, something that was not planned.
Shocked at the outcome, his initial guilt is soothed by the fact that he does get the role, performs well, and starts to make a name for himself, not the least of which is catching the eye of a beautiful model (Molly Parker) who quickly becomes his girlfriend. Things start to go better, but there is still the fact that he is not on the A list, and still might get passed over for choice roles, Enter another star (Eric Roberts) a big name who is going to sweep up a role that should go to Cassini. With less planning than before, Cassini nudges an unsuspecting and unknowing Roberts down the stairs at the audition and, once again, he has the big role.
Things go even better for Cassini's career, and everything should be wonderful for him, now driving a Mustang and on the short list for an award, but, of course, the guilt begins to eat away at him, small enough at first, but then big enough where we see a change in Cassini, affecting his relationship with Parker and his whole persona as an actor, as he starts to become what he has previously detested.
Unbeknownst to Cassini, two detectives (Rene Rivera, J.J. Johnston) are on his trail, deterred only by the fact that they have no evidence to back up their suspicions. They cook up a scheme to entrap Cassini, which leads to a very unusual and interesting end to the film.
This movie is funny, not in the slapstick, giggle every minute type, but of the understated, dark humor as the film and its actors make fun of the very industry that they are part of in real life. The fun and dark humor is mostly subtle, a good part of it in the ongoing dialogue between Cassini and his agent (Barry Primus). There is an unforgettable scene between the agent (Sandra Oh) for the actor Cassini bumped off and the detectives.
Molly Parker is wonderful in her part, the right mix of ditziness and offbeat sexiness. Jennifer Beals (The L Word) is hilarious, one of the only times that I've seen her in a purely comedic role, my only complaint is that she was not onscreen enough.
Cassini is the standout, as he has to be in the role, and he comes through big time. He is funny and empathetic at the same time, you'll find yourself kind of rooting for him, even as he is trying to eliminate his competition by unlawful means.
I really wish this DVD had some special features since a pet peeve of mine is when films, particularly when its a film I really like. It would have been neat to see some behind the scenes footage, but, if its not there, its not there.
This is an excellent film anyway.
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