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:

valley | cowboy | beach | gas station | south dakota | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes it's hard to find your way...

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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 [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 2005 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Dolina iluzji

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£39,803 (UK) (26 May 2006)

Gross:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Element Films, Class 5 Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The $8 million budget was financed by a wealthy producer-financier, Sam Nazarian of Element Films.

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Goofs

While Harlan is teaching Lonnie to shoot, he tells the boy that the design of the Colt Peacemaker revolver has never changed since the gun first came out in 1873. In actuality, the Peacemaker underwent several significant changes in the late 1800s. These included a re-designed base pin retainer, an updated ejector rod, and a switch from wood to hard rubber as the standard grip material.

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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 Deliverance (1972)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Love the cowboy flicks...

Down in the Valley Wow Edward Norton rocks the screen again playing a cowboy with a very layered and subtle performance. It is beautifully shot and the four main characters are original and yet painfully familiar in their alienation, anger, and despair. 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. The lead is a beautiful creature on the screen. Her relationship with the Cowboy seemed unlikely at first and then became completely believable, especially in the bathtub scene. If you love independent you really will enjoy the artistic quality of this film. There are also several scenes that border on surrealism. This film will leave you thinking and wondering about your life, isn't that what we always would hope for after leaving the movies. My vote is 8 out of 10.