Down in the Valley (2005)

Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley, the project revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman.

Director:

David Jacobson

Writer:

David Jacobson

Stars:

Edward Norton, Evan Rachel Wood, David Morse

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Norton	...	Harlan
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Tobe
David Morse	...	Wade
Rory Culkin	...	Lonnie
Bruce Dern	...	Charlie
John Diehl	...	Steve
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Sheridan
Elizabeth Peña	...	Gale
Kat Dennings	...	April
Hunter Parrish	...	Kris
Aviva Baumann	...	Sherri (as Aviva)
Aaron Fors	...	Jeremy
Heather Ashleigh	...	Shell
Jennifer Echols	...	Rita
Cesar Flores	...	Hispanic Kid (as Cesar D. Flores)

Storyline

Tobe is about 16, living with her dad and younger brother in LA's San Fernando Valley. She invites a gas station attendant named Harlan to come to the beach with her and her friends. He's from South Dakota, wears a cowboy hat, talks country, and has been a ranch hand. They have a great time, his simple expressions seem like wisdom, he's attentive and polite, and even though he's more than twice her age, she wants to spend time with him. When her father objects, she rebels. Harlan, meanwhile, thinks she's his soul mate, and he starts making plans to get her away from her father. Worlds are set to collide, but which ones?

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Plot Keywords:

neo western | valley | cowboy | cowboy hat | beach | 

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Taglines:

This May, there's a new cowboy in town

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Icon Film Distribution [UK] Metropolitan [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 2005 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Down in the Valley

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$22,806 (USA) (5 May 2006)

Gross:

$568,695 (USA) (4 August 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Element Films, Class 5 Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are at least two different versions of the film, with scenes either missing or added and different takes of key moments. The rarer 105-minute cut shortens many scenes but includes a missing scene between Harlan and Lonnie. Indeed, several of the escape scenes are different and in some cases reflect differently on Harlan's character. The sound mix is also different, with "Lean On Me Gently" as the credits song instead of Mazzy Star's "Down From the Bridge."

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Goofs

When Harlan and Lonnie are chased away from the campfire, Harlan's mustache is missing in the next scene as they enter the old west town. It is missing from the rest of the film, even though there has been no time for him to shave it off.

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Quotes

Harlan: I've tried living down in the valley again, really tried this time. Walked up and down it looking for one open face, but most people I've meet hardly seem like human beings to me anymore.

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Connections

References Taxi Driver (1976)

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Soundtracks

Happy
Written by David Roback & Hope Sandoval
Performed by Mazzy Star

User Reviews

Challenging and Rewarding

I had the opportunity to see this film at Cannes and then again at it's 'real' debut at the LA Film Festival. What a difference! Apparently the filmmakers were anxious to get to Cannes and had not finished the editing. Although I liked it before-- this version really hits the spot without the confusing extras that were still at Cannes. I'm glad I gave it a second chance and in fact I'm now anxious to see it again when it's released. The film is very layered and subtle. It is beautifully shot and the four main characters are original and yet painfully familiar in their alienation, anger, and despair. The Cowboy character played by Edward Norton seems so simple at first but as he is drawn into the family his character and the truth of his 'being' gradually unravels in ways that left me speechless at the end of the film. The character played by Rory Culkin, "Twig", says very little throughout the film and yet he conveys a sense of yearning and loneliness almost too painful to bare. But even he undergoes an unexpected transformation by the end of the film. My favorite though, was Evan Rachel Wood. I think she steals the show... without trying at all. Her emotions and rebelliousness are raw and totally authentic. She is a luminous creature on the screen. Her relationship with the Cowboy seemed unlikely at first and then became completely believable, especially in the bathtub scene. My main criticism is that the film is demanding. If you're not in the mood to sink into a fairly deep experience with some shocking moments and unpredictable outcomes--don't waste your time. This is a film for lovers of independent film and psychological kinds of cinema. There are also several scenes that border on surrealism. I'd be interested to know more about the making of this film and look forward to the DVD. I imagine this film may take awhile to be discovered but it holds tremendous rewards for those patient and thoughtful enough to venture into it.