Lulu on the Bridge (1998)

Director:

Paul Auster

Writer (WGA):

Paul Auster (written by)

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (Norway)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Is she real? ..or did he make her up?

Plot:

This film is about a famous jazz saxophonist, Izzy who's life is forever changed after he is accidentally shot.

Plot Keywords:

Saxophonist | Jazz | Stone | Restaurant | Shooting

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Harvey Keitel	...	Izzy Maurer
Richard Edson	...	Dave Reilly
Don Byron	...	Tyrone Lord
Kevin Corrigan	...	Man With Gun
Mira Sorvino	...	Celia Burns
Victor Argo	...	Pierre
Peggy Gormley	...	Dr. Fisher
Harold Perrineau	...	Bobby Perez
Gina Gershon	...	Hannah
Sophie Auster	...	Sonia Kleinman
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Catherine Moore
Mandy Patinkin	...	Philip Kleinman
Greg Johnson	...	Stanley Mar
David Byrne	...	'Laughing Man' Escort
Holly Buczek	...	Dying Girl

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, brief strong language and sensuality.

Runtime:

103 min | Argentina:112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Capitol Films

Trivia:

Juliette Binoche was originally cast in the Mira Sorvino role. She had to pull out at the last minute. She is thanked in the movie credits.

Quotes:

Hannah: You still don't know who I am, do you? After all these years, you still don't have a clue.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) (TV)

Remarkably disturbing film with a terrible title!!..

I caught this film on HBO and it was really quite a remarkable experience. I had never heard of it before, and checking the "External Reviews" Link, I'm surprised so little of the mass critic media never reviewed it, such as Roger Ebert.

The title of this film is completely deceptive.. you'd think it's a kiddie film.. trust me, it's anything but. It has NOTHING to do with "Little LuLu" or kids for that matter.

This is a deeply disturbing, involving, dark, mysterious mystery/romance/thriller with some fantasy elements, but totally without glitz or pretension, beautifully filmed and acted, with a twist ending right out of Ambrose Bierce. Saying any more about the plot would spoil it, so that's all you get out of me..

I will say this.. if you enjoyed "Jacobs Ladder" you'll like this one.

Even more so, if the title "Occurance At Owl Creek Bridge" means anything to you, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

As to the two leads: Mira Sorvino is absolutely stunningly beautiful and radiant and you simply can NOT take your eyes off her.. she goes through a myriad of hairstyles and styles of clothing, everything from bed-wear (lingerie), to around-town casual, to elaborate film costuming (she acts in a film towards the end of _this_ film), and she is totally convincing, believable, and riveting.

Harvey Keitel delivers an absolutely gut-wrenching performance - as good as anything I've ever seen him do.. considering the emotions required of his character, and what he's put through, he too is totally convincing and riveting.

Here you have a pair of leads who spend a LOT of on-screen time together in a VERY complicated and mysterious relationship and they meld with each other almost perfectly.

The supporting cast is also excellent. Willem DaFoe does fine work in one of his dark, sinister trademark characters. The other big-name actors, including a cameo by Lou Reed as "Not Lou Reed" are solid as you could want.

This is an engrossing, engaging, adult film that for some reason, the critics almost completely ignored. Why?

If you sit down to watch it, watch it from end to end without interruptions.. you will be drawn into it, and involved and aborbed in it and when it ends, quite unexpectedly, you'll be left with some very interesting emotions.

If only they had given it a more suitable title..

9 out of 10 on a scale of 10.