Mistress (1992)

A comedy about a screenwriter (Wuhl) whose old movie script is read by a producer (Landau) and the search for financial backers begins. But it seems that each money source (Aiello, DeNiro, ... See full summary »

Director:

Barry Primus

Writers:

Barry Primus (story), Barry Primus (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Wuhl, Martin Landau, Vasek Simek

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Wuhl	...	Marvin Landisman
Martin Landau	...	Jack Roth
Vasek Simek	...	Hans (as Vasek C. Simek)
Thomas R. Voth	...	Stagehand
Jace Alexander	...	Stuart Stratland Jr.
Mary Mercier	...	Shelby's Waitress
Tuesday Knight	...	Peggy
Eli Wallach	...	George Lieberhof
Danny Aiello	...	Carmine Rasso
Jean Smart	...	Patricia Riley
Robert De Niro	...	Evan M. Wright
William Rotko	...	Valet (as Bill Rotko)
Dimitri Dimitrov	...	Maitre d'
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Beverly
Chuck Low	...	Benrie

Storyline

A comedy about a screenwriter (Wuhl) whose old movie script is read by a producer (Landau) and the search for financial backers begins. But it seems that each money source (Aiello, DeNiro, Wallach) has his own mistress that he wants put into the film. Gradually, the screenwriter is forced to make changes to his script to accommodate these backers until he finally sees no semblance of his original ideas in the writing.

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Plot Keywords:

screenwriter | mistress | money | writing | suicide | 

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Taglines:

The Director Had A Vision. The Producers All Had Girlfriends.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hollywood Mistress

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,102,469 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Meir Teper, Mistress Productions, Tribeca Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Barry Primus had been shopping his script around for several years before his good friend Robert de Niro agreed to back the film and take a co-starring role.

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Quotes

Evan Wright: "Theres no sex in your movie there has to be more sex!"
Marvin Landisman: "No there is some...it's just not obvious"

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Connections

References The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Brandeburg Concerto no. 16, 1st movement"
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Arranged by Lazare
Performed by The Hamburg Chamber Orchestra

User Reviews

the most accurate depiction of Hollywood outsiders trying to bust in

Knowing several real-life wannabe actors, screenwriters, directors, and producers, none of whom are exactly 'A-List,' I thought this movie was an accurate portrayal of the twists and turns that the life of a project and one's personal life take while one, lacking connections, tries anything to come up with financing to get a potentially great movie off the ground.

Look at how long it took to get "Ray" funded and made -- 10 years! Similar stories abound. It takes a monumental effort to get anything made that's a little bit different. Guys who control the money don't like risk! With all its iterations depending on the focus of the potential underwriter -- think Money-Man -- with a colorful cast of stars, all playing well-written characters, I can't get enough of this movie. I own it and have watched it many times. A real laugh fest for those captivated by all things "Hollywood." The name IMHO ruined this movie's chances at the box office. It implies a certain salaciousness that is simply not there. It is a warm and sweet movie about guys trying to help their sweethearts achieve their dreams. Should have been titled, 'The Darkness and the Light,' which is the name of the screenplay they are trying to produce, or 'A Hollywood Story,' or something similarly innocuous. Worth seeing by all means!