The King (2005)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

James Marsh

Writers (WGA):

Milo Addica (written by) &
James Marsh (written by)

Release Date:

25 November 2005 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The devil made me do it.

Plot:

A troubled man, recently discharged from the Navy, goes to Corpus Christi, Texas, in search of the father he's never met.

Plot Keywords:

Pastor | Corpus Christi Texas | Christian | Seduction | Rock Band

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Gael García Bernal	...	Elvis
Derek Alvarado	...	Scoot
E. Matthew Buckley	...	Deck Officer (as Matthew Buckley)
Monica Peña	...	Brothel Manager (as Monica Pena)
Veronica Bernal	...	Elvis's Girl
Billy Joe Martinez	...	Mexican Salesman
Mohammad Ahmed	...	Mr. Chopra
Pell James	...	Malerie
Sally Allen	...	PA
Paul Dano	...	Paul
Laura Harring	...	Twyla
William Hurt	...	David
Roger Kunshick	...	Young Man with Flower
Ike Reilly	...	Rum Jungle Singer
Milo Addica	...	Bruno
Hudson Lee Long	...	Old Man with Hungry Dog (as Hudson Long)
Richard Lack	...	Teacher
Cliff Stevens	...	Salesman
Austin Chittim	...	Quarterback
Marco Perella	...	Chairman
Brady Coleman	...	Clown
Laura Clifton	...	Murray
Michael Swanner	...	Pace
Khadija Forte	...	Drive Thru Server (as Khadijah Abdullah)
Jessica Schwartz	...	Burger Joint Teenager
Libby Villari	...	Home Ec Teacher
Stacey Juarez	...	Hostess
Michael Clossin	...	Church Patron
Gabe Davila	...	Rum Jungle Musician
Mike Torres	...	Rum Jungle Musician
Rick Torres	...	Rum Jungle Musician
Alexander Garcia	...	Rum Jungle Musician
Will Sexton	...	Praise Band Musician
Spencer Gibb	...	Praise Band Musician
Brad Gilley	...	Praise Band Musician
Carlos Acuña	...	Sailor
Ruben Ortiz	...	Sailor
Raymond McAnally	...	Sailor (as Raymond Mcnally)
Maurice McRae	...	Sailor (as Maurice Mcrae)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ian Christopher Blake	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Ricky Cavazos	...	Car Dealership Customer (uncredited)
Dan Eggleston	...	Flower Seller (uncredited)
Rob Faubion	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Cole Fowler	...	Paul's Christian Friend (uncredited)
Camie Gillespie	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Spencer Greenwood	...	Pizza Shop Customer (uncredited)
Jason Harper	...	Naval Seaman (uncredited)
Michele Harrington	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Michael E. Harvey	...	Church Patron (uncredited)
Jennifer Holt	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Nicole Holt	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Emily Kaye	...	Rachael (uncredited)
Jason Matthews	...	Barton Springs Extra (uncredited)
Chris Poole	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Marc Russell	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Stayce Smith	...	Church Member (uncredited)
Santiago Villalobos	...	Bus Passenger (uncredited)

Directed by
James Marsh

Writing credits (WGA)
Milo Addica		(written by) &
James Marsh		(written by)

Produced by
Milo Addica	....	producer
Susan Kirr	....	line producer
Gwynneth Lloyd	....	co-producer (as Amanda Lloyd)
Edward R. Pressman	....	executive producer
Maureen A. Ryan	....	co-producer
John Schmidt	....	executive producer
Sofia Sondervan	....	executive producer
James Wilson	....	producer

Original Music by
Max Avery Lichtenstein

Cinematography by
Eigil Bryld		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jinx Godfrey

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Suzanne Crowley
Billy Hopkins

Production Design by
Sharon Lomofsky

Set Decoration by
Sally Nicholaou Hamilton

Costume Design by
Lee Hunsaker

Makeup Department
Catherine Conrad	....	department head hair
Catherine Conrad	....	department head makeup
Terri Ewton	....	assistant hair stylist
Terri Ewton	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Mike Harrop	....	post-production supervisor (as Michael Harrop)
Susan Kirr	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tim Brown	....	first assistant director
Susan Jasso	....	second second assistant director
Scott R. Meyers	....	second assistant director (as Scott Meyers)

Art Department
Amy Bell	....	assistant property master
Tom Cole	....	leadman
Mike Eaton	....	art department production assistant
Ia Enstera-layadi	....	storyboard artist (as Ia Layadi)
Summer Finley	....	art department coordinator
William Fisher	....	art department intern
Ashley Franklin	....	art department intern
Erick Garibay	....	graphic designer
Dwayne Grady	....	property master
Chris Hadlock	....	art department intern
Taylor Lovell	....	art department intern
Jessica Luchini	....	art department intern
Cory Parker	....	set dresser
John Parker	....	on-set dresser
Corissa Smith	....	scenic
Jamie Preyer	....	intern (uncredited)
Koen Wooten	....	props buyer (uncredited)
Cher Young	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Shaun Brennan	....	foley artist
Rachel Chancey	....	foley editor
Rachel Chancey	....	supervising sound editor
Mark Corbin	....	re-recording engineer
Ben Lazard	....	sound intern (as Benjamin Lazard)
Mack Melson	....	sound mixer
Marvin Melson	....	boom operator
Eric Milano	....	adr supervisor
Eric Milano	....	dialogue editor
William Patton	....	sound intern
Tom Paul	....	re-recording sound mixer
Tom Paul	....	sound designer
Bonny Perkins	....	sound intern
Paul Sacco	....	stereo consultant: Dolby

Special Effects by
Steve Krieger	....	special effects coordinator
Scott Roland	....	special effects assistant

Visual Effects by
Victor Barroso	....	opticals & digital effects: Goldcrest Post NY (as Victor Barrosa)
Peter Heady	....	digital effects
Bill Stokes	....	digital intermediate editor
Keith Yurevitz	....	digital imaging (uncredited)

Stunts
Bryon Weiss	....	stunt coordinator
Scott Roland	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Troy Anderson	....	company electrician
Richard Ball	....	key grip
James Borowy	....	camera intern
Todd Campbell	....	additional camera operator (as Tod Campbell)
Rusty Chambers	....	company electrician
Patrick B. Coate	....	camera production assistant (as Patrick Coate)
Morgan Edelbrock	....	grip intern
Victoria Gonzales	....	second assistant camera
Matt Lankes	....	still photographer
Mark Mims	....	dolly grip
Chuck Murphy	....	grip intern
Deana Newcomb	....	still photographer
Clayton Null	....	company grip
Phillip Renke	....	company grip (as Philip Renke)
Robert B. Reynolds	....	gaffer (as Robert Reynolds)
Michael Brandon Roberts	....	electric intern (as Brandon Roberts)
Ryan Russill	....	best boy grip
Alex Salahi	....	camera intern
Brian Scofield	....	camera intern
Peter Simonite	....	first assistant camera
Chris Smith	....	company grip
Josh Taylor	....	best boy electric
Greg Travis	....	company electrician (as Travis Travis)
Steve Urban	....	company grip
Ralph Watson	....	Steadicam operator
Thomas Young	....	loader
Phil Curry	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Rob McGrath	....	additional first assistant camera (uncredited)
Adam Drew Schwartz	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sally Allen	....	extras casting director
Toni Cobb Brock	....	location casting
Deborah Maxwell Dion	....	casting associate: Los Angeles
Daniel Garza	....	extras casting assistant: Corpus Christi
Jeremy Hall	....	extras casting coordinator
Carlton Lucas Moss	....	extras casting assistant: Corpus Christi (as Lucas Moss)
Paul Schnee	....	casting associate: New York

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rene Geneva	....	wardrobe intern (as Rene Geneva Quinn)
Loretta Harper	....	wardrobe supervisor
Janice Janacek	....	assistant costume designer (as Janice Janecek)

Editorial Department
John Dowdell	....	color consultant
Janet Gaynor	....	assistant editor
David Gray	....	assistant editor
Noëlle Penraat	....	negative cutter (as Noelle Penraat)
Tim Spitzer	....	digital intermediate post supervisor
Bill Stokes	....	colorist: dailies
Mike Trinker	....	additional colorist
Christian Zak	....	digital intermediate executive producer: Technicolor New York

Music Department
Budd Carr	....	executive music producer
Nora Felder	....	executive music producer
Jinx Godfrey	....	music editor
Petra Haden	....	musician: vocals
Tony Leva	....	musician: acoustic bass
Max Avery Lichtenstein	....	music score producer
Max Avery Lichtenstein	....	music score recordist
Vincent Lukason	....	musician: trumpet
Anne Pope	....	music editor
Gunnar Sahlin	....	musician: cello
Justin Smith	....	musician: violin
Jesse Sparhawk	....	musician: harp

Transportation Department
Gary Chambers	....	driver: fueler
Ronnie D. Chambers	....	transportation coordinator (as Ron Chambers)
Tracy Craytor	....	driver: production van
David McAree	....	driver: honeywagon (as David Mcaree)
Russell E. Scott	....	picture cars/driver
Jesus F. Tellez	....	transportation captain (as Jesse Tellez)
Wally Welch	....	driver: stakebed
Darwin White	....	driver: hair/make-up/wardrobe

Other crew
Debbie Bilski	....	craft service
Randy Bilski	....	craft service (as Randy)
Shannon Blackburn	....	assistant production coordinator
Dana Bloder	....	project manager: Technicolor New York
Krysti Burkemper	....	office intern
Claire Callan	....	transcriptions
Travis Carr	....	office intern (as Travis Michael Carr)
Eric Cepeda	....	location intern
Michael Clossin	....	stand-in
Judith Cutright	....	office intern
Debra Davis	....	location consultant
Emily Davis	....	office intern
Wendolyn Deal	....	assistant: William Hurt
Gil Dean	....	animal coordinator
Dennis de Jesus	....	dailies advisor (as Dennis De Jesus)
Ryan Demler	....	assistant: John Schmidt
Chris Gennarelli	....	scanning technician: Technicolor New York
David Gil Jr.	....	location intern (as David Gil)
Bobby Glickert	....	set intern
Julian Remigio Gonzalez	....	office intern
Kristen Growcock	....	production coordinator
Julia Grubbs	....	office intern
Jeannette Heindel	....	production secretary (as Jeannette Chalker)
Heather Hollingsworth	....	dialect coach
Tatiana Jitkoff	....	assistant: James Marsh
Jamie Jones	....	production office assistant
Chris Keighley	....	scanning assistant: Technicolor New York
Scott Kimbrough	....	location production assistant
Stephen Light	....	production coordinator
Diana Luciano	....	assistant chef
Christopher Markey	....	office intern
K. Lynn Martin	....	script supervisor
Jason Matthews	....	location scout
Le May	....	catering chef
Jarrette Moats	....	office intern
Tim Monich	....	dialect coach
Glen Moorman	....	key set production assistant
Kimberly Murphy	....	set production assistant
Molly Murray	....	production accountant
Dale Nelson	....	footage: Corpus Christi weather
Gerardo Parra	....	location intern (as Gerardo 'Yayo' Parra)
Andrew Poppoon	....	location consultant
Joaquin Diego Prange	....	location manager
Kara Rastrelli	....	stand-in
Carla Rose	....	post-production accountant
Patrick Russell	....	assistant: Sofia Sondervan
Alex Salahi	....	electronic press kit
Howard Samuelsohn	....	dialect coach
Mira Shin	....	assistant: Edward Pressman
Dustin Weaver	....	assistant location manager
Jenni Wieland	....	first assistant accountant
Adam Wilson	....	set intern
Larry Cashion	....	stand-in: male lead (uncredited)
Jeff Guerrero	....	additional set production assistant (uncredited)
Chris M. Jackson	....	production secretary: pre-production (uncredited)
Rosalind Lichter	....	production legal (uncredited)
Brendan MacDevette	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Blake McNay	....	location assistant (uncredited)
Adam Medina	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Rick Olmos	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Sandhya Shardanand	....	production coordinator: pre-production (uncredited)

Thanks
Kerry Addica	....	acknowledgement: Milo Addica and James Marsh wish to thank
Peter Carlton	....	acknowledgment: for Filmfour
Peter Carlton	....	the producers wish to thank
Alexandra Dell	....	the producers wish to thank
Harry Dixon	....	acknowledgment: for Filmfour
James Finn	....	the producers wish to thank
Spencer Gibb	....	the producers wish to thank
Paul Grindey	....	acknowledgment: for Filmfour
Robin Gutch	....	the producers wish to thank
Deborah Hedwall	....	the producers wish to thank
Steven Hora	....	the producers wish to thank (as Steve Hora)
James A. Janowitz	....	the producers wish to thank (as Jim Janowitz)
Tracey Josephs	....	the producers wish to thank
Jon Katz	....	acknowledgment: for Contentfilm
Erick Kwak	....	acknowledgment: for Contentfilm
Tom Luddy	....	the producers wish to thank
Anne Mette Lundtofte	....	acknowledgement: Milo Addica and James Marsh wish to thank
Greil Marcus	....	the producers wish to thank
Gerardine O'Flynn	....	the producers wish to thank
Jodi Peikoff	....	acknowledgement: Milo Addica and James Marsh wish to thank
Bennett Pozil	....	the producers wish to thank
Annie Pressman	....	the producers wish to thank
Lynn Pressman-Raymond	....	the producers wish to thank (as Lynn Pressman Raymond)
Hylda Queally	....	the producers wish to thank
Stephen Robbins	....	the producers wish to thank
Tessa Ross	....	acknowledgment: for Filmfour
Elyse Scherz	....	the producers wish to thank
Sue Bruce Smith	....	the producers wish to thank
Jasmine Stodel	....	acknowledgment: for Contentfilm
Douglas Tulley	....	acknowledgment: for Contentfilm

Production Companies

• ContentFilm (presents)
• FilmFour (in association with)
• Edward R. Pressman Film (uncredited)

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Cathay-Keris Films (2007) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Films sans Frontières (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• THINKFilm (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Barbar Film (2006) (Turkey) (all media)
• ContentFilm International (2005) (worldwide) (all media) (sales agency) (as Content International)
• DNC Entertainment (2005) (Italy) (all media)
• Jump Street Films (2006) (Australia) (all media)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2006) (Finland) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Goldcrest Post Production New York (opticals and digital effects) (as Goldcrest Post NY)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• Austin Archery Club  the producers wish to thank
• Austin Film Office  the producers wish to thank
• Austin Studios  the producers wish to thank
• Axium International  payroll service
• Barnes  the producers wish to thank
• Brigade Security of Texas  security provided by (as Brigade Security)
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dolly and crane (as Chapman Leonard Studio Equipment)
• Cinetic Media  distribution advisory services
• Cinetic Media  sales agency (uncredited)
• City of Corpus Christi, The  the producers wish to thank (as City of Corpus Christi)
• Clarion Hotel Airport, Corpus Christi  accommodations
• Clarion Hotel, Corpus Christi  the producers wish to thank
• Corpus Christi Books  the producers wish to thank
• Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau  the producers wish to thank
• Dougherty Arts Center  the producers wish to thank
• Du Art Film and Video  film dailies (as Duart Film & Video)
• Du Art Film and Video  filmout (as DuArt Film & Video)
• Dubbing Brothers  re-recording facility
• Film Finance  completion bond (as Film Filances Inc.)
• Film4  funding
• Gate Brooklyn, The  the producers wish to thank
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  digital intermediate (as Goldcrest Post NYC)
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  editing equipment (as Goldcrest Post NY)
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  post-production sound (as Goldcrest Post NY)
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  re-recording facility (as Goldcrest Post NY)
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  titles produced by (as Goldcrest Post NY)
• Homestead Studio Suites, Austin  accommodations
• Hyde Park Theater  the producers wish to thank
• International Bonded Couriers  courier
• JP Morgan Chase Bank  the producers wish to thank (as JPMorgan Chase Bank)
• Jabberwalkie  walkies provided by
• Jos. A. Bank Clothiers  the producers wish to thank
• KRIS Communications  footage: Corpus Christi weather
• Liberty Bank  production bank
• New Act Travel  travel arranged by (as New Act Travel)
• Panavision  lenses and cameras by (as Panavision Dallas)
• Rex Post  re-recording facility
• Rodeo Circus Films  rodeo video footage
• Shades of Gray Dermagraphics  the producers wish to thank
• TFN Lighting  lighting & grip equipment
• Technicolor New York  film scanning
• Texas Film Commission  the producers wish to thank
• The City of Austin, Texas  the producers wish to thank (as City of Austin)
• USS Lexington Museum  the producers wish to thank
• Wishire Stages  re-recording facility
• Worlds Away Productions  titles (uncredited)
• Wrangler Jeans  the producers wish to thank

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality involving a teen, some violence and language.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Australia:MA | UK:15 | USA:R | Portugal:M/16 | Hungary:16 | Japan:R-15 | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:R21 | Malaysia:(Banned) | South Korea:18 | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

ContentFilm

Trivia:

Gael García Bernal is a year and a half younger than Pell James who plays a 16 year-old.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The movie takes place in Corpus Christi, Texas, but the pool that Elvis and Malerie visit is Barton Springs Pool, located in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.

Movie Connections:

References The Last House on the Left (1972)

Soundtrack:

My Arms Belong to Jesus

A Nutshell Review: The King

No, this movie is not a sequel to The Queen, and it's peculiar to have both The King and The Queen making their screenings at our theatres at the same time. If given a choice to make, I would recommend The King instead.

This movie reminded me of Woody Allen's Matchpoint. Different stories altogether, but with the general sense and feeling of incredible luck, and evilness amongst man. You can't help but wonder that each one of us have the propensity to do evil, and just what might exactly push our button to commit sin. Lust, revenge, and pride clearly on display in James Marsh's The King.

There are various Kings here, the first which is most obvious, the main protagonist's name Elvis Valderez, played by Gael Garcia Bernal. Recently discharged from the Navy, he's on a trip to Texas to look up the father he never knew, who turned out to be a pastor, clearly already having moved on from his mother. The other notable King here, is pertaining to religion, given that Jesus Christ is acknowledged by Christians to be the King of Kings. I thought William Hurt put up a credible performance as the strict Pastor David Sandow, who now serves a little community, with possibly a happy family befitting a good Christian family.

And perchance it is the ghost from the past, his illegitimate son Elvis, who's now the devil in his midst of them, slowly bringing down the facade and hypocrisy surrounding the Sandows, and exposing them for who they truly are. It's quite a dark movie, and made possible so as the devil has an innocent, possibly angelic face (thanks to Gael), and little do you know the kind of evil that lurks around. Which probably makes it all the more dangerous as the saying goes, you know the person, but not what is in his heart - the motives, if ulterior.

Having to say more will most likely spoil the entire movie. I liked the pacing that the story took, on having it all laid out methodically. At times, you question Elvis' intent, if he's truly aware of the repercussions of what he's doing. You might want to argue that love knows no bounds, but there certainly are some clear markers and blinkers to warn you to stay away, at all costs.

The great acting makes The King extremely watchable. William Hurt, as already mentioned, plays his pained pastor with plenty of skeletons in his closet, to a T. Pell James as his daughter Malerie, brings about a fresh faced ingénue to her role, with innocence written all over. For fans of Little Miss Sunshine, Paul Dano has more lines of dialogue here, and even exercises his vocal cords in singing two songs. His role as son Paul is contrasted against Elvis the illegitimate son - one devoted to God, the other the devil himself, one living his life with a cause, the other living his without any aim, except probably to groove along waiting for acceptance.

There are many releases this week (last count was nine), but The King ranks up there amongst the much watch.