A Slipping-Down Life (1999)

A young woman becomes obsessed with a small-time North Carolina rock singer.

Director:

Toni Kalem

Writers:

Michael Charles Hill (story), Toni Kalem,

Stars:

Lili Taylor, Guy Pearce, Irma P. Hall

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lili Taylor	...	Evie Decker
Guy Pearce	...	Drumstrings Casey
Irma P. Hall	...	Clotelia
John Hawkes	...	David Elliot
Veronica Cartwright	...	Mrs. Casey
Marshall Bell	...	Mr. Casey
Shawnee Smith	...	Faye-Jean Lindsay
Sara Rue	...	Violet
Bruno Kirby	...	Kiddie Arcades Manager
Tom Bower	...	Mr. Decker
Jo Ann Farabee	...	Woman at Salon
Harv Morgan	...	Dick St. Clair
Jason Russell Waller	...	Audience Member #1
Lew Temple	...	Audience Member #2
Jason Kavalewitz	...	Young Sexband

Storyline

Evie Decker, a shy young woman, falls in love with pop star Drumstrings Casey after hearing his voice on the radio. Summoning the courage to pursue the singer, Evie starts to break out of her shell...

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Plot Keywords:

singer | north carolina | radio | amusement park | volkswagen | 

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Taglines:

You think you're invisible. But I see you.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Lions Gate Films [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,066 (USA) (14 May 2004)

Gross:

$95,436 (USA) (11 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DVC Entertainment, PFG Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Austin mayor, Kirk Watson makes a cameo in the drugstore scene.

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Goofs

When Evie snaps the photo of Drumstrings, Faye Jean's arms are up. When Evie looks at the developed photo, both of Faye Jean's arms are down and she is turned to her right instead of facing the camera (as she was when the flash went off).

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Quotes

Drumstrings Casey: You don't live in Virinia, you die here. But I'm getting out.

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Soundtracks

"You've Got a Sweet Mouth on you Baby"
Written by Robyn Hitchcock

User Reviews

Heard it on the radio

Toni Kalem is a new voice that shows a lot of promise by undertaking to make this 1970 Anne Tyler's novel into a quirky film. "A Slipping down Life" was shelved after its 1999 debut at Sundance. The film was released last year and since it disappeared before we could see it, it was a surprise when it was shown on a cable channel recently. Ms. Kalem, who adapted the story got the blessing from Ms. Tyler; the finished product follows the original text in a great adaptation.

Evie, the lonely young woman living with her widower father, gets her entertainment through the radio. It's the early 1960s in a small town in North Carolina. The late night program Evie tunes to brings her perhaps the only satisfaction she gets all day long. Working in a children's amusement park, Evie doesn't seem to fit. Evie's only friend is the beautician Violet, who being overweight, is another misfit living in a small community.

The Decker household is dominated by Clotelia, the black maid who is the only one with any spunk. Mr. Decker is an aloof man who is more interested in listening to his short wave radio. His only complaint is about too much Spanish broadcasting.

The young woman discovers the songs of Drumstring Casey late at night. He becomes an obsession. Evie drags Violet to go watch this not too popular singer at a local hangout. Evie becomes completely taken by the music and the young man singing the songs she loves. As a token of her infatuation Evie cuts her forehead with the name YESAC, or CASEY spelled backward when she looks at herself in the mirror. Drum, as he wants to be called, resists Evie's attention at first, but eventually he comes to love her in his own fashion.

The role of Evie is played by Lili Taylor. This young actress is what make us care for Evie because we root for her happiness with Casey. She has a dreary existence living at home and basically staying by herself. Lili Taylor, one of the most versatile actresses working in films these days, makes a great impression on the viewer with her rendition of Evie.

Equally effective is Guy Pearce, an Australian actor, who makes Drumstring Casey come alive. It would appear to be the wrong casting, but in reality, Mr. Pearce looks a natural and the right choice for the role. His take on the singer offers another dimension in Mr. Pearce's range, an actor that is at home in drama and comedy.

Irma P. Hall, an excellent actress of stage and screen, appears as Clotelia. Tom Bower is seen as Mr. Decker. Sara Rue is fine as Violet, and Shawnee Smith is also good as Faye Jean.

A great debut for a new talent. Toni Kalem is to be congratulated for tackling the job of bringing this mostly unknown work of Anne Tyler to the screen.