Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)

A film set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide.

Director:

Goran Dukic

Writers:

Goran Dukic (screenplay), Etgar Keret (short story "Kneller's Happy Campers")

Stars:

Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossamon, Shea Whigham

9 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Fugit	...	Zia
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Mikal
Shea Whigham	...	Eugene
Leslie Bibb	...	Desiree
Mark Boone Junior	...	Mike (as Mark Boone Jr.)
Abraham Benrubi	...	Erik
Cameron Bowen	...	Kostya
Mikal P. Lazarev	...	Nanuk
Clayne Crawford	...	Jim
Tom Waits	...	Kneller
Chase Ellison	...	Kid Kostya
John Hawkes	...	Yan
Will Arnett	...	Messiah
Adam G.	...	Gas Station Attendant
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Eugene's Mother

Storyline

Despondent over his breakup with Desiree, Zia slashes his wrists and goes to an afterlife peopled by suicides, a high-desert landscape dotted by old tires, burned-out cars, and abandoned sofas. He gets a job in a pizza joint. By chance, Zia learns that Desiree offed herself a few months after he did, and she's looking for him. He sets off with Eugene (an electrocuted Russian rocker) to find her, and they pick up a hitchhiker, Mikal, who's looking for the People in Charge, believing she's there by mistake. They're soon at the camp of Kneller, where casual miracles proliferate. They hear rumors of a miraculous king. Can Zia find Desiree? Then what? Where there's death there's hope.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | russian | hitchhiker | death | afterlife | 

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Taglines:

Love will always exist, even after you've "offed" yourself.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and disturbing content involving suicide

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Csuklónyiszálók

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$42,808 (USA) (19 October 2007)

Gross:

$104,077 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

No Matter Pictures, Crispy Films, Adam Sherman

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene in which Mikal asks to drive the car was filmed at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

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Goofs

When Eugene's younger brother is threatening to hang himself at age 10, the jump rope around his neck constantly changes positions during the scene, between cuts.

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Quotes

Yan: They feed him t-bone steak and he refuses to come back.
Kneller: Freddy has been brainwashed.

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Connections

References Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)

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Soundtracks

"Through the Roof 'n' Underground"
Written by Eugene Hutz
Performed by Gogol Bordello
Courtesy of Tee Pee Records

User Reviews

One of Sundances Best of 2006

This movie was the highlight of the Sundance Film Festival for me this year. It contains a true love story, hidden under dark satire, and amazing music. If there is one Sundance movie in 2006 you will regret not seeing, don't let it be this one. Wristcutters, is the reason we have this festival.Patrick Fugit(known for Almost Famous)gives an amazing performance. I was doubtful at first when I heard the name, but after seeing it I cannot stop saying enough good things. This one I will definitely pick up on DVD when it is released, and anyone who enjoys dark humor should as well. Again another Sundance job well done. I hope to see more films made like this.