Moonlight Mile (2002)

Director:

Brad Silberling

Writer (WGA):

Brad Silberling (written by)

Release Date:

4 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In life and love, expect the unexpected.

Plot:

As he copes with the death of his fiancee along with her parents, a young man must figure out what he wants out of life.

Plot Keywords:

Fiancee | Death | District Attorney | 1970s | Pet Dog

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Joe Nast
Dustin Hoffman	...	Ben Floss
Susan Sarandon	...	Jojo Floss
Alexia Landeau	...	Cheryl
Richard Messing	...	Rabbi
Lev Friedman	...	Cantor
Bob Clendenin	...	Server #1 (as Robert Clendenin)
Jim Fyfe	...	Server #2
Mary Ellen Trainor	...	Mrs. Meyerson
Richard Fancy	...	Mr. Meyerson
Marcia Mitzman Gaven	...	Fashion Plate
Allan Corduner	...	Stan Michaels
Holly Hunter	...	Mona Camp
Careena Melia	...	Diana Floss
Gary Hetzler	...	Speedwalker
Ellen Pompeo	...	Bertie Knox
Edward Lachman	...	Photographer (as Ed Lachman)
Gordon Clapp	...	Tanner
Dabney Coleman	...	Mike Mulcahey
Mary Catherine Garrison	...	Caroline
Audrey Marie Anderson	...	Audrey Anders
Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine	...	Patty (as Colombe Jacobsen)
Virginia Newcomb	...	Cheryl's Friend #2
Elizabeth Janas	...	Cheryl's Friend #3
Richard T. Jones	...	Ty
Lenny Clarke	...	Gordy
Robert Wahlberg	...	Pinky
Tom Carey	...	Baxter (as J. Tom Carey)
Dee Nelson	...	Waitress
McNally Sagal	...	Mrs. Tippet
Phil Reeves	...	Mr. Don Tippet
Roxanne Hart	...	June Mulcahey
Lisa Anne Hillman	...	Jillian Mulcahey
Rachel Singer	...	Rhonda Ketch
John Balma	...	Walter Ketch
Paul Perri	...	Public Defender
Tom Dahlgren	...	Judge
Mark Lotito	...	Diner Manager
David F. Wheeler	...	Diner Grandfather (as David Wheeler)
Alexandra Hoffman	...	Diner Granddaughter
Lady	...	Nixon (Dog)
Fatty	...	Nixon (Dog)
Percy	...	Fay Ray (Cat)
Slick	...	Fay Ray (Cat)
Molly	...	Fay Ray (Cat)
Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson	...	Bar Voice (voice) (as Caitlin McKenna)
Paul Pape	...	Bar Voice (voice)
Jessica Gee	...	Bar Voice (voice)
Sandy Simpson	...	Bar Voice (voice)
Murphy Dunne	...	Bar Voice (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jillian Armenante	...	Caterer (uncredited)
Hilary Barraford	...	Bride (uncredited)
Sandra Blaney	...	Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
Janet Borgman	...	Family Member at Funeral (uncredited)
Michele Fischer	...	Family Member at Funeral (uncredited)
J. Marc Freeman	...	Realtor (uncredited)
Altara Michelle	...	Young Girl at Restaurant (uncredited)
Camden Munson	...	(uncredited)
Jack Truman	...	Bar Regular (uncredited)
Steven Paul Zsenyuk	...	Real Estate Agent (uncredited)

Directed by
Brad Silberling

Writing credits (WGA)
Brad Silberling		(written by)

Produced by
Ashok Amritraj	....	executive producer
Brian W. Cook	....	co-producer
David Hoberman	....	executive producer
Mark Johnson	....	producer
Susan Sarandon	....	executive producer
Brad Silberling	....	producer
Patricia Whitcher	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Mark Isham

Cinematography by
Phedon Papamichael

Film Editing by
Lisa Zeno Churgin

Casting by
Avy Kaufman

Production Design by
Missy Stewart

Art Direction by
Mark Worthington

Set Decoration by
Kathy Lucas		(as Katherine Lucas)

Costume Design by
Mary Zophres

Makeup Department
Marleen Alter	....	assistant makeup artist
Steve Artmont	....	makeup department head
Michal Bigger	....	makeup artist: S. Sarandon
Paul LeBlanc	....	hair stylist: Susan Sarandon
Brenda McNally	....	additional hair stylist: Massachusetts
Joe Rossi	....	makeup artist
Emma C. Rotondi	....	hair stylist
Sandra Rowden	....	makeup artist
Kim Santantonio	....	key hair stylist
Rick Sharp	....	makeup artist
Kimberley Spiteri	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Leeann Stonebreaker	....	production supervisor
Patricia Whitcher	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rusty Mahmood	....	second second assistant director
Chitra F. Mojtabai	....	second assistant director
Michele Panelli-Venetis	....	first assistant director (as Michele Panelli Venetis)

Art Department
Bobby Anderson	....	picture car coordinator
Paul Baker	....	props
Chris Barnes	....	lead painter
Scott Bauer	....	props
Paula Bird	....	scenic artist
Eric Bryant	....	art department assistant
Jon J. Bush	....	leadman
James Champoux	....	propmaker
Danica Chipman	....	set dresser
Gina B. Cranham	....	set designer
Charles Daboub Jr.	....	art director: Boston
Todd Ellis	....	property master
Jennifer Engel	....	foreman
Kyra Friedman Curcio	....	assistant set decorator: Boston (as Kyra Friedman)
Tony Gardner	....	special props
Paul W. Gorfine	....	camera scenic artist
Will Grant	....	set dressing gang boss
Jane Gulick	....	prop assistant
Barry Jones	....	paint foreman
Carol Kiefer	....	art department coordinator
James P. Meehan	....	on-set dresser
Lisa Nagid	....	on-set dresser: Boston
Scooter Perrotta	....	prop assistant
Chris Peterson	....	set dresser
Eugene Pope	....	carpenter
Eugene Pope	....	metal worker
Michael Ruby	....	supervising signwriter
Liza Rudolph	....	set decoration buyer
Kenneth Salter	....	carpenter
Tommy Samona	....	set dresser
Chris Samp	....	stand-by painter
Terry Scott	....	construction coordinator
Doug Sieck	....	set dresser
Kurt Smith	....	construction coordinator: Boston
Theodore Suchecki	....	set dresser
Anthony Syracuse	....	location foreman
Cedar Valentine	....	art assistant (as Cedar McClure)
Tim Y. Wetzel	....	assistant property master
Jack Coyle	....	general foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Paul Berolzheimer	....	foley editor
Andrew Bock	....	assistant sound editor
Ed Callahan	....	sound editor
Pud Cusack	....	production sound mixer
John P. Fasal	....	sound effects recordist (as John Paul Fasal)
Linda Folk	....	adr supervisor
Eric Gotthelf	....	adr mixer
Michael Herbick	....	sound re-recording mixer
David Jobe	....	foley mixer
Richard King	....	sound designer
Richard King	....	supervising sound editor
Daniel J. Leahy	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Dan Leahy)
Linda Lew	....	foley recordist
Patricio A. Libenson	....	foley supervisor (as Patricio Libenson)
Michael Magill	....	dialogue editor
Michael W. Mitchell	....	sound effects editor
Linda Murphy	....	boom operator
Steve Pederson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Potter	....	sound effects recordist
Ross Simpson	....	boom operator
Tyler Stephens	....	sound utility
Hugo Weng	....	dialogue editor
Linda Yeaney	....	first assistant sound editor

Special Effects by
William 'Billy Jack' Jakielaszek	....	special effects assistant: Massachusetts (as William Jakielaszek)
Brian Ricci	....	special effects foreman: Massachusetts
Ed Ricci	....	special effects assistant: Massachusetts (as Edward P. Ricci)
Tom Ryba	....	special effects coordinator (as Thomas P. Ryba)
Gregory C. Tippie	....	special effects foreman (as Gregory Tippie)

Visual Effects by
Jonathan Alvord	....	Avid editor
Scott Dougherty	....	visual effects producer: Cinesite
Michael L. Fink	....	visual effects supervisor (as Michael Fink)
Krystine Lankenau	....	rotoscope artist (as Kristine Lankenau)
Kenneth Littleton	....	digital compositing supervisor: Cinesite
Rafael Macho	....	main title design
Mike Sullo	....	visual effects producer
Diane Van Ussel	....	main title design

Stunts
Rick Barker	....	stunt coordinator
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt coordinator
Lynn Salvatori	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Ambrose	....	rigging gaffer
Woody Bell	....	company grip
Peter D'Angelo	....	electric
Scott D. Davis	....	rigging gaffer
Tim Driscoll	....	grip
Bob Hall	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Amanda Hannan	....	grip
Brian Heller	....	director of photography: second unit
Christian J. Hollyer	....	camera loader: Boston
Dan Hutchinson	....	rigging electrician
Eric Komar	....	grip
Zach Lazar	....	electrician
Patriq Luo	....	electrician
Hugh McCallum	....	grip: Los Angeles
Daniel C. McFadden	....	assistant camera
James R. Mitchell	....	set electrician
Chris Nickerson	....	electrician
Goran Pavicevic	....	director of photography: inserts
David Puopolo	....	rigging grip: Boston
Daryl Richardson	....	best boy rigging grip
Lee Schmicker	....	electrician
Lorey Sebastian	....	still photographer
David A. Seekins	....	film loader
Philip Shanahan	....	second assistant camera
Darrell Temple	....	grip
Rick Tiedeman	....	Steadicam operator
Doug Weinmann	....	electrician
Chuck Weiss	....	video assist operator

Casting Department
Lisa S. Beasley	....	extras casting
Nancy Doyle	....	local casting
Joni Tackette	....	extras casting
Maura Tighe	....	local casting
Maureen Whalen	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Yvonne Bastidos	....	set costumer
Jenny Eagan	....	assistant to costume designer
Parrish Kennington	....	costumer
Marylou Lim	....	set costumer
Margaret Palmer	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Angela Barton	....	first assistant film editor
Stephanie M. Casey	....	first assistant editor
Christopher Vagnino Gamby	....	apprentice editor
Dale E. Grahn	....	color timer (as Dale Grahn)

Music Department
Thomas A. Carlson	....	music editor (as Tom Carlson)
Sandy DeCrescent	....	music contractor
Janice Hayen	....	music preparation
Stephen Krause	....	score recordist
Stephen Krause	....	scoring mixer
Ken Kugler	....	conductor
Ken Kugler	....	orchestrator
Jason La Rocca	....	score mixer (as Jason LaRocca)
Cindy O'Connor	....	music assistant
Lise Richardson	....	music editor
Dawn Soler	....	music supervisor (as Dawn Solér)
Florian Tessloff	....	music assistant

Transportation Department
Denise Avallon	....	driver
Lori M. Cincotta	....	transportation department (as Lori Matyska)
David Diaz	....	transportation captain
Craig Fehrman	....	transportation coordinator
Paul Jones	....	driver

Other crew
Ellen Adolph	....	production accountant
Shelley Barbour	....	assistant: Mr. Hoffman
Amy Carroll	....	production assistant
Minor Childers	....	assistant: Mr. Silberling
Sue Chipperton	....	animal trainer
Lisa Davis	....	animal trainer
Cheryl Donaldson	....	assistant to producer
Lauren Erwin	....	production assistant
Mark Fitzgerald	....	key assistant location manager
Kristi Frankenheimer	....	location manager (as Kristi Frankenheimer-Davis)
Jenny Fumarolo	....	production assistant
Nicki Georgi	....	production assistant
Ariel Gold	....	production assistant
Lori Hornung	....	production coordinator: Massachusetts
Don J. Hug	....	location manager: Boston
Matthew Katz-Frost	....	assistant: Mr. Gyllenhaal
Debra R. Lopez	....	construction accountant (as Debra R. Duff)
Elizabeth Ludwick-Bax	....	script supervisor (as Elizabeth Ludwick)
Kathleen Lungren	....	assistant: Ms. Whitcher
James MacDonald	....	set medic
Rafael Macho	....	title designer
Scott Masterson	....	set production assistant
Liz Matthews	....	location scout
Dave McComb	....	second assistant accountant
Kim Meade	....	assistant: David Hoberman
Cheryl Miller	....	production coordinator
Summer Moore	....	stand-in
Kris Olson	....	assistant coordinator
John Palermo	....	assistant: Ms. Sarandon
John Palermo	....	development executive
Scooter Perrotta	....	set production assistant
Eileen Peterson	....	unit publicist
Luke Poling	....	production assistant
Rick Poyner	....	key assistant location manager
Kim Quam	....	set medic
Julie Rioux	....	set production assistant: Gloucester and Marblehead
Leslie Romenesko	....	assistant location manager
Timothy Rose	....	production assistant
Christine Ryan	....	production assistant
Lindsay Sloane	....	assistant: Mr. Johnson
Diane Van Ussel	....	title designer
Kevin Vargus	....	production assistant
Ben Woodard	....	production assistant: Massachusetts
Anne Lockhart	....	adr loop group (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Touchstone Pictures (presents)
• Hyde Park Entertainment (presents)
• Reveal Entertainment (Co-Production)
• Gran Via (Co-Production)
• Punch Productions (Co-Production)

Distributors

• Rialto Film AG (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Solo Film Verleih (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (Argentina)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2003) (Canada) (DVD)
• Buena Vista International (Argentina)
• Buena Vista Pictures
• Divisa Home Video (2009) (Spain) (DVD)
• Eagle Pictures
• GAGA
• Humax Pictures
• Paradise Group (2002) (Russia) (all media)
• PlazaVista Entertainment (2003) (Switzerland) (DVD) (as Medaria Home Entertainment)
• StudioCanal (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Touchstone Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Universum Film (UFA) (2004) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Alterian
• Cinesite (Hollywood)

Other Companies

• Buena Vista Negative Cutting  negative cutting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes
• Direct Tools & Fasteners  expendables
• Epic Records  soundtrack
• Henson Studios  score recorded at
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• Monkeyshine Inc.  titles
• Pacific Title  opticals
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Rockbottom Rentals  cell phone rentals
• Sony Music Soundtrax  soundtrack
• Studio Animal Services  animals
• Technicolor  color
• Wet Dog Studios  score mixed at
• Wet Dog Studios  score recorded at

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and brief strong language

Runtime:

Argentina:146 min | Canada:112 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:117 min | UK:116 min | Portugal:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Portugal:M/12 (original rating) | Iceland:L | Finland:K-11 | Canada:A (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

A screening of the film was held at Salem State College's auditorium in Salem, Massachusetts which is adjacent to Marblehead where the film took place.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Joe is at dinner with Mulcaheys, his wine glass moves back and forth on the table between shots.

Quotes:

Joe Nast:The truth is hard. Sometimes it looks so wrong, y'know. The color's off, the style's wrong, but I guess... I guess it's where the good ones live.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Old School' Orientation (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Twentieth Century Boy

Great performances highlight Moonlight Mile.

*** out of ****

While not quite a great movie (it just barely misses the mark), Moonlight Mile is still an excellent drama that showcases some of the finest acting talent around, wrapped amidst a beautifully told story of a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's trying to do what everyone expects out of him, but against the desire of following his own heart.

Moonlight Mile plays as a cathartic experience. The premise bears truth to it, as it parallels writer/director Brad Siberling's own real-life experience when his girlfriend was murdered by an obsessive fan. But most importantly, almost every part of this movie feels natural in its emotions and storytelling, not the result of some sentimental hackjob put together by a big studio. Siberling's intent is to portray a normal family dealing with life, loss, and love and whatever obstacles may come their way and he does a fine job of it.

There are moments Moonlight Mile doesn't entirely ring true, but those moments are glossed over by the acting. From Gyllenhaal to Ellen Pompeo to Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon, the cast is uniformly superb. Even though the climax is set in a courtroom (typically the setting for cliche hell in dramas), Gyllenhaal's emotional outpour makes the scene work almost magnificently.

An admittedly very irksome element of the film is the score, which is yet again another rip-off of the music to American Beauty. Moonlight Mile's straightforward, honest approach doesn't match the quirky tone of the score, resulting in a few off-kilter moments of balance. But otherwise, this is a first-rate, truthful drama, and certainly superior to the overrated and similary themed In the Bedroom.