True West (TV 2002)

Filmed play about two very different brothers, one a criminal and the other a screen-writing family man who becomes appalled by his wayward brother's relationship with a producer.

Director:

Gary Halvorson

Writer:

Sam Shepard (play)

Stars:

Bruce Willis, Chad Smith, Andrew Alburger

Cast

Credited cast:
Bruce Willis	...	Lee
Chad Smith	...	Austin
Andrew Alburger	...	Saul Kimmer
Danielle Kennedy	...	Mom
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rohit Bal
Wendell Rodricks
Hemant Trivedi

Storyline

Lee is a drifter and small-time criminal, while his brother Austin is a Hollywood screenwriter and family man appalled by Lee's efforts to ingratiate himself with a movie producer in this stage version of Sam Shepard's dark comedy, taped live at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey, Idaho.

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Plot Keywords:

criminal | producer | filmed play | screenwriter | family relationships | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 August 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hailey, Idaho, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cheyenne Enterprises, Company of Fools, Complete Post

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play premiered at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in the 1980s, then moved to the Public Theatre in New York. A few years later, the Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago's hit production, featuring Gary Sinise and John Malkovich, played on Broadway for 762 performances, then was taped by PBS for American Playhouse. This production opened at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York on March 2, 2000, ran for 154 performances and Sam Shepard's script was nominated for the 2000 Tony Award for the Best Play.

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Quotes

Austin: Now that's a true story. True to life.

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Connections

Version of American Playhouse: True West (1984)

User Reviews

Willis and Smith...WOW!

I saw this play in New York with Sinise and Malkovich and was blown out of my seat. It was so good I didn't think I ever wanted to see anyone else in these roles. I was mistaken. Bruce Willis is truly a remarkable talent (as stated by Paul Newman). People who think he can only do 'hotshot' movies with chases and fights should check this out. Starting with an incredible script by Sam Shepard, Willis and Chad Smith chew the scenery with riveting dead-on performances. In the midst of this sometimes scary play about the relationship between brothers, you will also find yourself laughing till you cry. My only regret is, moments like this come along at rare moments. Probably because the general public has forgotten how to appreciate this kind of writing and acting, and has developed the Terminator mindset which precludes watching anything like this. What a shame. DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR... WATCH THIS MOVIE! And please, Bruce, please do more work like this. Don't cheat us out of your very wide range of talent.