The Polygamist

Author(s): Jamie Madden
Location: Melbourne, Australia

"The Polygamist"

Directed by P.J. Hogan
Written by Erin Cressida Wilson
Produced by Judd Apatow
Original Score by Rolfe Kent
Original songs by Patty Griffin

Principal Cast:

Blythe Danner as Constance Barry
Edward Norton as David Barry
Kirsten Dunst as Indiana Blue
Maria Bello as Savannah Putaine
David Strathairn as Larry Barry
Jeff Bridges as Ludwig van Holden
Stockard Channing as Julia Wildflower
Rachel Weisz as Deirdre FuMeur

Tagline: "Why stop at one?"

Synopsis: Sick of the daily grind and working 16 hours a day, David Barry, a successful advertising agent, decides to leave his busy hectic life and his stressful, neurotic, and chain smoking fiancé Deirdre to live in a mud hut in the southern part of France.

On a mission to save her son from the temptations of the Parisians and Bohemian revolutionaries, David’s prudish politician mother Constance Barry and his retired obsessive-compulsive father Larry head off to Bordeaux, France.

Upon arriving in Bordeaux, Constance and Larry discover that David has married. Twice. David is a polygamist. His first wife, Indiana Blue is a young, free spirited hippie, who ironically bi-polar and suffers from crippling panic attacks. His second wife Savannah Putaine is a former prostitute who is secretly battling her own inner demons with a psychotic Oprah Winfrey obsession. But that is not all; David is also planning to marry his mentally insane feminist mother in-law, Julia Wildflower, who believes she is a countess of an unheard of, wealthy European country.

Constance’s feelings of immediate disapproval are changed when she meets sinner turned polygamy preacher Ludwig van Holden, a former alcoholic priest of the Catholic Church who was arrested a la Mel Gibson style. Through understanding and swinging, Constance learns to appreciate the polygamist lifestyle, and becomes an active supporter, who attempts to legalize polygamy in the US.

What the press would say:

“A revolutionary enticing journey of laughter” – Rex Reed

Ground breaking, innovative, and an unanticipated success, are some words to describe this new comedy about marriage, brought to the screen by director P.J. Hogan (Muriel’s Wedding, My Best Friend’s Wedding) and writer Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary, Fur). “The Polygamist” is the quintessential independent quirky comedy. However it is the performances brought to life by an award-winning cast that make this film the finest comedy of the year. Edward Norton stars as David Barry, and brings to life a character that is initially relatable, sick of the daily grind of life, but through the Partisan French life becomes an unbelievably unique character. His two wives played to perfection. Kirsten Dunst is incredible as the bi-polar wife who suffers from panic attacks, but still keeps an upbeat, free spirited attitude. Maria Bello gives a revolutionary comedic performance, displaying the wit, charm, vivacity and pathos that complete her character as a deeply disturbed woman. With fine performances from the eccentric preacher Jeff Bridges, Blythe Danner and David Strathairn as the orthodox, concerned parents, with their own flaws, and idiosyncrasies. Rachel Weisz gives a small whimsical performance with gusto, and the rounds off the rest of the cast.

For Your Consideration (in OSCAR, GG, SAG, etc)

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor (Norton)
Best Actress (Danner)
Best Supporting Actor (Strathairn)
Best Supporting Actress (Bello, Dunst, Channing, Weisz)
Best Original Score
Best Original Song “Three in a Mud hut”