Sonny (2002)

An honorably discharged soldier returns home to New Orleans, hoping to break away from his upbringing as a trained male-prostitute, but his brothel-madam mother has other expectations.

Director:

Nicolas Cage

Writer:

John Carlen

Stars:

James Franco, Brenda Blethyn, Harry Dean Stanton

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Franco	...	Sonny
Brenda Blethyn	...	Jewel
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Henry
Mena Suvari	...	Carol
Seymour Cassel	...	Albert
Brenda Vaccaro	...	Meg
Josie Davis	...	Gretchen
Willie Metcalf	...	Cal
Janet Shea	...	Wealthy Woman
Cary Wilmot Alden	...	Catherine
Nicolas Cage	...	Acid Yellow
Scott Caan	...	Jesse
Graham Timbes	...	Troy
Wallace Merck	...	Scott
Doug Barden	...	Maitre d'

Storyline

New Orleans, 1981. Sonny Phillips, just discharged from the Army, returns home where the only life he's known is as a gigolo working for his mother. He wants to leave that behind, but the job his Army buddy promised doesn't materialize, and he can't escape his past.

---

Plot Keywords:

brothel madam | gigolo | mother son relationship | loss of father | duffel bag | 

---

Taglines:

His life was the morning after, until he decided to change the night before.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, language, some drug use and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 2003 (Greece)

Also Known As:

Pony Rides

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$19,782 (Hong Kong) (17 October 2003)

Gross:

$19,782 (Hong Kong) (17 October 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gold Circle Films, Saturn Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2010, New York Magazine reported that while doing research for his role in Sonny, 'James Franco' visited male strip clubs in New Orleans and also followed a male prostitute around, even into a hotel room while the prostitute did his job.

---

Quotes

Acid Yellow: Cut is face! Cut his mother-fuckin' face!

---

Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

---

Soundtracks

"Winter - Largo"
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi

User Reviews

Brilliant Acting, Interesting Story

Sonny is a brilliant story of a young man who desperately wants to leave his past behind and begin a new life. However, the past catches up with him and he has no choice but to revert to the life he so longed to leave behind. The acting in this film is absolutely brilliant. James Franco doesn't cease to surprise me with his powerful performances. He's definitely fantastic in this film. Nicholas Cage's directorial debut is not bad, but there were a couple of loopholes in the plot which he could have filled in. Despite that, he's done quite a good job. Sonny is a great drama and a must-watch. I think it definitely deserves a 9/10.