The Dying Gaul (I) (2005)

A grief-stricken screenwriter unknowingly enters a three-way relationship with a woman and her film executive husband - to chilling results.

Director:

Craig Lucas

Writer:

Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Stars:

Patricia Clarkson, Campbell Scott, Peter Sarsgaard

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Patricia Clarkson	...	Elaine Tishop
Campbell Scott	...	Jeffrey Tishop
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Robert Sandrich
Ryan Miller	...	Max Tishop
Faith Jefferies	...	Debbon Tishop
Robin Bartlett	...	Bella
Ebon Moss-Bachrach	...	Olaf
Kelli O'Hara	...	Liz
Dee Dee Flores	...	Emad
Elizabeth Marvel	...	Kelli Cartonis
Don Johanson	...	Male Guest
Bill Camp	...	Malcolm Cartonis
Linda Emond	...	Dr. Marta Foss

Storyline

A powerful and seductive Hollywood mogul convinces an impoverished West Hollywood writer, whose lover has recently died of AIDS, to sell his autobiographical screenplay for big bucks. The writer, Robert, knows he'll have to make major changes in the script (like changing the sex of the dying lover). During the rewrite, the producer, Jeffrey, takes Robert under his wing, introducing him to his wife Elaine, herself a closet screenwriter. Jeffrey approaches Robert for sex and Elaine approaches Robert out of curiosity about his sex life in grief. The entangled triangle of relationships threatens more than the completion of a film script.

---

Plot Keywords:

sex | lover | writer | screenwriter | hollywood | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Holedigger Studios

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kuoleva gallialainen

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$53,944 (USA) (4 November 2005)

Gross:

$342,297 (USA) (20 January 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Holedigger Films, Rebel Park Pictures, Twopoundbad

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min 95 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is dedicated to writer/director Craig Lucas's best friend, playwright Tony Kushner.

---

Quotes

Jeffrey: You can do anything you want, as long as you don't call it what it is.

---

Connections

References Glissando (2002)

User Reviews

High Praise For Dark, Brooding Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Mr. Lucas directed a very cinematic version of his stage play, and assembled an outstanding cast. Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott and particularly Patricia Clarkson, give layered, complex, award-worthy performances.

This film reminds me of another along the same genre, American Beauty, which also examined difficult and complex relationships, and attempted to do so with both humor and pathos.

Because this film is part thriller, part black comedy, part searing emotional drama, it had me going on many levels.

Again, Patricia Clarkson should be praised highly for her ability to make the reactions of her character so real! I have not always been a Craig Lucas fan, as I sometimes find his work to be a bit preachy (Prelude to a Kiss), but with this film, and his obvious director's eye, I look forward to his next effort.