King of California (2007)

An unstable dad who after getting out of a mental institution tries to convince his daughter that there's Spanish gold buried somewhere under suburbia.

Director:

Mike Cahill

Writer:

Mike Cahill

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood, Willis Burks II

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Charlie
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Miranda
Willis Burks II	...	Pepper
Laura Kachergus	...	Rita
Paul Lieber	...	Doug
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Kelly
Anne L. Nathan	...	Applebee's Manager (as Anne Nathan)
Arthur Santiago	...	McDonald's Manager
Ashley Greene	...	McDonald's Customer
Ian Hopps	...	Boy
Anna Khaja	...	Officer Contreras
Will Rothhaar	...	Security Guard
Annie O'Donnell	...	Greeter
Greg Davis Jr.	...	Joseph
Jeanie Hackett	...	Teacher

Storyline

A fresh-out-of-the-mental institution father and his emancipated teenage daughter venture together on a quest for an ancient Spanish treasure buried beneath their local Costco in this take on the modern family and the American dream.

---

Plot Keywords:

spanish | treasure | quest | dream | mental institution | 

---

Taglines:

We're All Searching for Something ...

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, mature thematic elements and brief drug references

Details

Official Sites:

3L Filmverleih [de] Millennium Films [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

12 September 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

El rey de California

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$35,814 (USA) (14 September 2007)

Gross:

$263,674 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Emmett/Furla Films, Nu Image Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Michael Douglas, the film was shot in 31 days.

---

Goofs

When they turn on the lights in the dark Costco, it instantly becomes brightly lit. In reality, HID lamps are very dim when first switched on and require several minutes to warm up and reach full brightness.

---

Quotes

Miranda: You don't take anything seriously do you? You think the world is just here for your amusement!
Charlie: But look at the world...
Miranda: I do. But unlike you I have to live in it!

---

Crazy Credits

Carroll Kales Cahill 1925-2006

---

Connections

Referenced in Impossible Dreams (2011)

---

Soundtracks

"La Negra"
Traditional
Performed by Mariachi Tapatio De Jose Malmolejo
Courtesy of Arhoolie Records

User Reviews

A very slow moving movie featuring superb acting from Douglas.

"King Of California" is the art house version of "National Treasure" or "Indiana Jones". It's the story of Charlie (Michael Douglas) who is released from the mental institution in which he has spent several years and is reunited with his sixteen year old daughter Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood). Although he is obviously a few sandwiches short of a picnic, Charlie manages to convince his daughter to join him in a quest for buried treasure. Together they move through Southern California looking for clues leading to the lost doubloons.

If, after reading that description of the plot, you're now expecting these two characters to run through dark tunnels with giant boulders rolling after them then you'd be wrong. "King Of California" is a slow and very quiet movie which focuses more on Charlie and Miranda repairing their relationship than the actual treasure hunt. Miranda has been forced to take a job at McDonalds in order to survive during her father's absence meaning that she is now the rational one whilst Charlie acts as a child. Their search for the treasure takes them to golf courses and busy stores where Charlie sees signs that they're on the right trail whilst Miranda, not fully believing in Charlie's dream, simply wants to spend some time with the father she's lost touch with.

Douglas gives one of his finest performances in recent years as Charlie, managing to make the character seem insane whilst also being totally appealing (witness the way in which he wins arguments by stating absurd facts and telling people to "look it up"). Evan Rachel Wood is also perfect in her role. It may not be as showy a role as Douglas' but Wood convinces you that Miranda absolutely loves her father despite all his faults (and he certainly has a lot).

Although I liked "King Of California", I really can't say that I loved it - the plot was perhaps a little too slow moving for my tastes. I certainly admired its message, however, that you should follow your dreams because dreams give you something to believe in. If you have patience and like character-driven movies which reveal their charms at a very leisurely pace (such as the movies "Sideways" or "Rushmore"), then I'd recommend watching "King Of California" for its superb acting and life-affirming message. Others - like myself - however, who prefer story lines to move along at a much quicker rate may find it a bit boring in places and slightly too whimsical overall.