The Sleepy Time Gal (2001)

Director:

Christopher Munch

Writers:

Alice Elliott Dark (excerpts from Betty's book)
Christopher Munch (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Frances had been a radio DJ in Florida; she's now living in San Francisco and dying of cancer, with...

Plot Keywords:

Photographer | Cancer | Radio DJ | Radio Station | Tenderness

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jacqueline Bisset	...	Frances
Martha Plimpton	...	Rebecca
Nick Stahl	...	Morgan
Amy Madigan	...	Maggie
Frankie Faison	...	Jimmy Dupree (as Frankie R. Faison)
Carmen Zapata	...	Anna
Peggy Gormley	...	Betty
Seymour Cassel	...	Bob
Molly Price	...	Rebecca's Colleague
Kate McGregor-Stewart	...	Miriam
Clara Bellar	...	Mushroom Girl
Justin Theroux	...	Rebecca's Boyfriend
Mark Tymchyshyn	...	Larry Mosher
Anibal O. Lleras	...	Mr. Vega
Phyllis Somerville	...	Rebecca's Adoptive Mother

MPAA:

Rated R for brief nudity and language.

Runtime:

108 min | USA:94 min (alternate version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

Antarctic Pictures

Soundtrack:

Ballad For Sun-Ra

Jacqueline Bisset Gives the Performance of Her Life in an Extraordinary Film

Forget about Sissy Spacek and Halle Berry. If "The Sleepy Time Gal" had been released theatrically in 2001 (and the fact that no distributor picked it up is a tragic commentary on the state of today's film scene), the glorious Jacqueline Bisset would have been awarded the Best Actress Oscar at last week's dismal ceremony. Long-acclaimed for her dazzling beauty ("The Deep," "Class," etc.), but sadly overlooked for her impeccable acting abilities (was everyone dozing when she gave breathtaking performances of subtlety and nuance in "Under the Volcano," "Rich and Famous," "High Season," "Le Ceremonie," etc.), Ms. Bisset's portrayal of a woman trying to put her life in order when she is told she has terminal cancer is one of the finest performances ever committed to celluloid. Independently produced on a low-budget, "Sleepy Time Gal" is exactly the type of superior filmmaking so rare these days, and the fact that it was sold to the Sundance Channel (where it premiered on March 29, 2002) instead of being theatrically distributed to art-houses whose discerning patrons crave exactly this type of subtle, intelligent, exquisite jewel of a film) is a tragedy. Christopher Munch's direction/screenplay are sublime. In supporting roles, Amy Madigan, Seymour Cassell, Nick Stahl, and Martha Plimpton give performances of astonishing intelligence and warmth. As does Jacqueline Bisset, probably the finest and most underrated (as well as achingly beautiful) actress of all time. Ms. Bisset's performance, heartfelt, honest, totally devoid of histrionics, is truly to be cherished! As is "The Sleepy Time Gal."