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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

A Comic Tragedy

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

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

Wilson Joel: Do you have the yellow pages?
Cashier at Pancake House: Customer copy out of the phone book.
Wilson Joel: It's all torn to shreds.
Cashier at Pancake House: I apologize, but that's our customer copy.
Wilson Joel: Can I use your copy?
Cashier at Pancake House: Sorry, convenient store next door might have one.
Wilson Joel: But, you have one.
Cashier at Pancake House: Sir, I'm sorry. Try next door.
Wilson Joel: I just got finished eating your bad pancakes and got my plane stolen out of my car in your parking lot.
Cashier at Pancake House: Want me to call the police? I can call the police.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

SPECIAL THANKS TO Melissa Morgan's Parents and Family

---

Connections

Referenced in High Chaparall: Robert Englund (2004)

---

Soundtracks

"Halfway To A Threeway"
Written and Performed by Jim O'Rourke
© 1999 Field Code Music (BMI)
Courtesy of Drag City

User Reviews

Amazingly apt portrait of one man's loss and regrowth

This movie had me from the opening scene. Throughout this film, I could feel Wilson's pain at losing his wife; worse yet at losing her through suicide.

Imagine heading for work one day and returning to find the person you've sworn to spend your life with has taken her life. Days later, when the shock and the pain have numbed enough that you can re-enter your home and sleep can finally reclaim you, you fall to the floor of your garage or hallway or kitchen or linen closet [wherever you choose to fall.] A slip of a blanket covers your legs and you finally decide to grab your pillow to shelter you from the cold floor. There it lies: the note from your wife.

Wilson carried that letter for weeks.

He placed it in his silverware drawer after a while.

His mother-in-law has no one to place her love on any longer, so she gives it all to Wilson. At least, she tries, but no parent is supposed to bury their child; and no parent is supposed to bury their child when she has killed herself.

Throughout the entire movie the pain is raw, chilling, and inescapable for the characters; and entirely palpable for the viewer. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.