A Slipping-Down Life (1999)

Director:

Toni Kalem

Writers:

Toni Kalem (writer)
Anne Tyler (novel)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Elopement | Friendship Between Women | Radio | Musician | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

DVC Entertainment

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Although it is implied that the movie takes place in North Carolina but in the beginning, when Evie and her father are at the breakfast table, the jam and milk are of a brand that is only sold in HEB stores, which are only found in Texas. (Where the film was actually shot)

Quotes:

Drumstrings Casey: You think your invisible, but I see you. You break, you bend. You dissappear, and everybody here stairs. Maybe you should just go farther.

Soundtrack:

You've Got a Sweet Mouth on you Baby

Just interesting enough to be watchable

A Slipping down life was shelved for many years, and the lack of real hipness or accessibility is probably to blame for this. Helmed by two indie stars Lili Taylor and Guy Pearce, this film was held back simply because neither person could conceivably carry this film.

But unlike some crappy movies that see a rebirth it didn't deserve, ASL was quietly pushed into the underground cinema and then quickly reborn on cable. And while this doesn't sound good on paper, ASL actually surprises you a little with some of the little nuances within each character's performance (with the exception of Sara Rue and Shawnee Smith---ugh!!). Lili Taylor exhibits yet another introverted woman who is somewhat shunned not just due to her nature but also her looks. Much like previous films Dog Fight and even The Haunting (where her character was visibly overwhelmed by Catherine Zeta-Jone), Taylor makes you believe she is her character rather than an actor. And some people say method acting is dead.

Guy Pearce is especially interesting in this film. I especially liked the transgression of him embodying all the things his father hates and then turning into his father near the end. It was a strange transformation but an effective one. And its even more impressive how he can cover up his deep Australian with an effective North Carlina twang.

While the plot was pretty random at best, at least these two performances added some life to a film that would have been altogether listless.