Monday, August 4, 2008

Hearts of Age

Author(s): Corey
Location: USA

"Hearts of Age"

Directed By: Bennett Miller
Written By: Dan Futterman & Simon Callow
Produced By: Caroline Baron, William Vince, & Michael Ohoven
Music By: John Williams
Cinematography By: Robert Richardson (The Aviator, JFK)
Costumes By: Sandy Powell (The Aviator, Far From Heaven)
Art/Set Direction: Jeannine Claudia Oppewall (L.A. Confidential)
Edited By: Christopher Tellefsen (Capote, Man on the Moon)

Principal Cast:

Danny Huston: Orson Welles
Michael C. Hall: Joseph Cotton
Julianne Moore: Rita Hayworth
Philip Seymour Hoffman: William Randolph Hearst
Catherine Zeta-Jones: Paola Mori
Winona Ryder: Virginia Nicholson
Frances McDormand: Oja Kodar
Shirley MacLaine: Agnes Moorehead
Kevin Spacey: Carol Reed
Glenn Close: Marlene Dietrich
Sharon Stone: Zsa Zsa Gabor
Brad Pitt: Charlton Heston
Charlize Theron: Janet Leigh
Rachel McAdams: Anne Baxter
Clifton Collins: Graham Greene
Lauren Bacall: Beatrice Ives
Tony Huston: Richard Head Welles

Tagline: "We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone"

Synopsis: At age twenty six he was being called a genius. Just a year later he saw what was to be another masterpiece destroyed and by 1984 he was the butt of every joke. Where did it all go wrong?

Opening with the broadcast of Orson Welles’ legendary War of the Worlds radio reading, the film traces Welles’ life: from the success of Citizen Kane to the destruction of films like The Magnificent Ambersons, Mr. Arkadin, and A Touch of Evil. His numerous marriages are also focused on, including his brief one to Rita Hayworth. Welles’ close bond with actor Joseph Cotton is also blended into the ultimately dark and provocative look into the life of one of the most brilliant filmmakers Hollywood will ever know.

What the press would say:

Director Bennett Miller directs another effective and dark bio-pic. Although switching from the literary field to the cinematic one, Hearts of Age serves almost as a companion piece to Bennett’s Oscar-nominated film Capote. Award worthy performances come from so many of the great ensemble cast members. Under-rated actor Danny Huston gives a raw and emotionally complex portrayal of the character of Orson Welles, while Michael C. Hall excels as frequent Welles collaborator Joseph Cotton. Capote star Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won an Academy Award last time around with Miller, gives audiences yet another phenomenal performance as newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. The scenes that contain both Hoffman and Huston are some of the best in recent film.

Huston’s real-life brother, Tony, helps bring Welles’ alcoholic father to the screen with searing perception, while screen legend Lauren Bacall gives a brief, subtle performance as Welles’ mother. Julianne Moore gives perhaps the greatest female performance of the film as Welles’ second wife and screen goddess Rita Hayworth. Inhabiting the style and attitude of the legendary actress seems to be quite an easy task for the talented actress. Also portraying wives of Welles are Winona Ryder and Catherine Zeta-Jones. While both give convincing performances, it’s Ryder who excels with her best role from recent memory. An award winning supporting cast helps pull the whole film together, with stand-out performances from Sharon Stone, Frances McDormand, and Clifton Collins. Glenn Close and Shirley MacLaine also appear, and give convincing performances, as frequent collaborators of Welles.

The crew is another revelation. With director Miller pulling in Capote collaborator Dan Futterman and Welles biographer Simon Callow, the script is sure to be a frontrunner come awards season. The technical elements of the film all perfectly match the film, with a haunting score coming from legendary composer John Williams.

When the credits begin to roll, there will be those who believe that the film has lead them nowhere. In all truth the film spreads only some light on Welles’ legacy, ultimately leaving most of his life in the shadows of time, where it rightfully belongs.

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture: Caroline Baron, William Vince, & Michael Ohoven
Best Director: Bennett Miller
Best Actor: Danny Huston
Best Actress: Julianne Moore
Best Supporting Actor: Michael C. Hall
Best Supporting Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actress: Frances McDormand
Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Best Supporting Actress: Sharon Stone
Best Adapted Screenplay: Dan Futterman & Simon Callow
Best Score: John Williams
Best Costume Design: Sandy Powell
Best Editing: Christopher Tellefsen
Best Art/Set Direction: Jeannine Claudia Oppewall

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