Whiskeytown

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Author(s): D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

“Whiskeytown”

Directed by Roland Joffe
Written by Grant Heslov
Music by Herbie Hancock
Produced by Robert DeNiro

Principal Cast:

John Cusack - Dr. Oliver Elliott (The Drunk)
Mike McGlone - Camdon Elliott (The Brother)
Morgan Freeman - "Casper" Johnson (The Speakeasy Gangster)
Maya Rudolph - Vera Johnson (The Showgirl)
Patricia Clarkson - Maddie Ruth (The Nurse)
Drea DeMatteo - Daphne Hurlock (The Call-Girl)
Frederic Forrest - Jim (The ex-Bartender)
Craig Bierko - Det. Izzy Einstein (Tough Cop)
Ed O'Neill - Det. Moe Smith (Tougher Cop)
and
Robert DeNiro as Vincenzo Gazzo (The Godfather)

Tagline: “When the well runs bone dry and dead, you build a new well with a shot of whiskey and lead"

Synopsis: January 16th, 1920, "Prohibition" is enforced. New York doctor, Oliver Elliott M.D. (John Cusack) is on a downward spiral. Once a reveared doctor, in his hay-day he would perform housecalls and check-ups on former presidents and associate himself with the likes up the upperclass society. Now he spends his time with lowlife friends like his former bartender (Frederic Forrest) and a Call-Girl (DeMatteo), he battles alcoholism, and the only reason he still practices medicine is because of his connections with the Mafia; Hesitantly and fearfully treating wounded and bullet riddled gangsters. Business has doubled because of the mob wars through prohibition, but the pressure of treating gangsters mounts and so does his drinking, making it extremely difficult to perform life-saving surgeries. Unable to purchase booze, his medical license allows him under certain circumstances to treat patients by prescribing liquor and unfortunately feed his addiction. But when a Harlem flapper-showgirl (Maya Rudolph) dies on his operating table, the ruthless speakeasy gangster of a father (Morgan Freeman) wants blood. As if things weren't bad enough for Dr. Elliott, two of the biggest prohibition police busters (Bierko & O'Neill) start to probe in on his practice. Will the troubled doctor succumb to his addiction? Will he shield himself with protection from Godfather, Vincenzo Gazzo (Robert DeNiro) by continueing to let his clinic be a front for a bootleg operation? Or can the help of his ultra-conservative brother (Mike McGlone) and mother-like nurse (Patricia Clarkson) pave a road to recovery? He's a drink and a bullet away from death in Whiskeytown.

What the press would say:

Whiskeytown breaks new ground in the gangster picture genre in exploring deep character developement, yet it stays true to old fashioned dialogue of the James Cagney films. Director, Roland Joffe goes back to the basics. He shoots the film in black and white and brings scenes of violence to the background leaving actors plenty of room for emotional growth, much like he did in his Oscar-nominated, "The Mission". Grant Heslov, writer of Good Night & Good Luck manufactures a script so delicate to the 20's dialogue and grammar that it, in and of itself, plays a key role, with "Top of the World!" type catchphrases, he gives the actors something to lead up to those grand cinematic outbursts. John Cusack leads the charge of brilliant performances uncovering a role he's yet attempt. He channels the weakness of The Lost Weekend's Don Birnam, and the cunningness of The Godfather's Michael Corleone to stay alive. Acting heavyweights Morgan Freeman and Robert DeNiro lend their chops as they play two of the most contrasting yet powerful gangsters. Freeman cast against type as a brutal, fearless and revengeful Harlem gangster Casper Johnson, basing his character off of real life prohibition thug Bumpy Johnson. He brings out an evil side we've yet to see him in. But sometimes casting obvious is just as important because who other to play the role of prohibition Godfather than Robert DeNiro who bases his character off of real life gangster Vito Genovese. A Godfather who seduces you one minute, and kicks you when you're down the next. Though only in the film for a short period, Maya Rudolph's flapper showgirl dancer from Harlem makes every moment out of her showy role count. Her scenes are undoubtedly some of the most memorable in gangster picture history. Rounded out by Herbie Hancock's masterful 1920's-vibe jazz arrangement and Chris Menges dark and cold scenic shots, makes Whiskeytown a hard place to resist come Oscar season.

Best Picture
Best Director - Roland Joffe
Best Actor - John Cusack
Best Supporting Actor - Robert DeNiro
Best Supporting Actor - Morgan Freeman
Best Supporting Actress - Maya Rudolph
Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Clarkson
Best Original Screenplay - Grant Heslov (Good Night & Good Luck)
Best Score - Herbie Hancock ('Round Midnight, Donnie Brasco)
Best Cinematography - Chris Menges (Three Burials Of Melquiadas Estrada)
Best Editing - Stephen Mirrione (21 Grams, Babel)
Best Art Direction - Christa Munro (Good Night & Good Luck)
Best Costume Design - Daniel Orlandi (Cinderella Man)