Love Liza (2002)

Following the unexplained suicide of his wife Liza, a web designer turns to gasoline fumes and remote-control airplanes while avoiding an inevitable conflict with his mother-in-law.

Director:

Todd Louiso

Writer:

Gordy Hoffman (screenplay)

Stars:

Philip Seymour Hoffman, J.D. Walsh, Kathy Bates

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Wilson Joel
J.D. Walsh	...	Bern (as JD Walsh)
Jimmy Raskin	...	Pad
Kathy Bates	...	Mary Ann Bankhead
Erika Alexander	...	Brenda
Sarah Koskoff	...	Maura
Mark Hannibal	...	Waiter with Drink
Jim Wise	...	Bland Man
Trace Turville	...	Bland Woman
Wayne Duvall	...	Gas Station
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Tom Bailey
Kevin Breznahan	...	Jim
Jennifer Keddy	...	Lynne
David Lenthall	...	Hobbytown USA Clerk (as David Lenthal)
Jack Kehler	...	Denny

Storyline

Wilson Joel is a man in trouble. There's a searing pain in his gut that he can't tolerate and a dazed quietness to his struggle as he tries to maintain his equilibrium. Wilson is attempting to move on from the sudden and inexplicable suicide of his wife. His mother-in-law is there for him, but her sympathies turn quickly. He has an employer that seems to want to help him, and a workmate who wants him for herself. But nothing and no one can give Wilson solace; so, he seeks oblivion. It is not the usual alcohol or drugs. Wilson inhales fumes from gasoline cans and model airplane fuel and finds temporary salvation in the company of remote-control model enthusiasts. However, nothing that provides him relief really lasts.

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Plot Keywords:

gasoline | suicide | website | model airplane | website designer | 

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Taglines:

A Comic Tragedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official website [us]

Country:

France Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Con amor, Liza

Filming Locations:

Audubon Zoo - 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$15,522 (USA) (3 January 2003)

Gross:

$211,724 (USA) (11 April 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kinowelt Filmproduktion, Wild Bunch, StudioCanal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mary Ann Bankhead: What did she say?
Wilson Joel: You wanna read it? Go ahead
Mary Ann Bankhead: It doesn't have my name on it.
Wilson Joel: Yea you're right. It doesn't.
Mary Ann Bankhead: But if it did I would open it, because that's what she wants.
Wilson Joel: Wanted. What she wanted.
Mary Ann Bankhead: And you refuse to honor that.
Wilson Joel: Is there something you wanna know?
Mary Ann Bankhead: No, I think there is something you don't wanta know.
Wilson Joel: I don't. I don't, I loved well. I did. I did, I loved well I don't want a letter. I don't want a fucking letter!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

SPECIAL THANKS TO Melissa Morgan's Parents and Family

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Connections

Referenced in High Chaparall: Robert Englund (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Movie On The Way Down"
Written and Performed by Jim O'Rourke
© 1999 Field Code Music (BMI)
Courtesy of Drag City

User Reviews

Good film, made Brilliant by superb performances

"Love Liza" is a great film. A story about depression and the effect loved ones have on each other, it elicits all kinds of emotions from the audience: Laughter, Sadness, Anger. It deals with two subjects that are not easily displayed on film: Drug Use and Suicide, but deals with them in a brilliant way. After the death of his wife, Wilson (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), is thrown into a state of depression. He finds his wife's suicide note but does not want to open for fear of its contents and begins huffing gasoline to try to steer clear of the pain. Phillip Seymour Hoffman IS Wilson and does not skip a beat the entire film. He is one of this generations greatest actors, and this film shows why. Jack Kehler as Denny turns in a tremendous performance as well as Kathy Bates as Wilson's mother-in-law. Good film, made brilliant by superb performances.