Off the Black (2006)

An aging, disillusioned alcoholic (Nolte) gets a younger friend (Morgan) and wants him to pose as his son at a school reunion.

Director:

James Ponsoldt

Writer:

James Ponsoldt

Stars:

Trevor Morgan, Nick Nolte, Rosemarie DeWitt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Trevor Morgan	...	Dave Tibbel
Nick Nolte	...	Ray Cook
Rosemarie DeWitt	...	Debra
Thomas Schall	...	Male Parent #1
Paul Urcioli	...	Male Parent #2
Johnathan Tchaikovsky	...	Paul Michaels
Noah Fleiss	...	Todd Hunter
Sonia Feigelson	...	Ashley Tibbel
Timothy Hutton	...	Mr. Tibbel
James Ponsoldt	...	Robby
Darrell Larson	...	Doctor
Richard Petrocelli	...	Man in Doctor's Office
Richard Terwilliger	...	Teacher
Marlyne Barrett	...	Nancy (as Marlyne Afflack)
Michael Higgins	...	Al Cook

Storyline

An aging, disillusioned alcoholic (Nolte) gets a younger friend (Morgan) and wants him to pose as his son at a school reunion.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | funeral | train tracks | train whistle | no opening credits | 

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Taglines:

Would you let this man be your father?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a crude sexual remark

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asignatura pendiente

Filming Locations:

Suffern, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,763 (USA) (8 December 2006)

Gross:

$24,035 (USA) (9 February 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forensic Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Ray comes to pick up Dave for the reunion, Dave comes downstairs carrying a corsage in a plastic box. When Dave asks Ray if he's going to call him "son" all day, the box and flower disappear.

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Connections

References Doctor Zhivago (1965)

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Soundtracks

"If I Needed You"
Written and Performed by Townes van Zandt
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Nolte fantastic! Promising future for Morgan

I recently rented Off the Black and was pleasantly surprised how good it was considering it had not gotten much recognition in media coverage or advertisements. I find it to be another quality independent film that unfortunately seemed to slip under the radar or fall through cracks. Not only is it a finely directed tale from first time director James Ponsoldt, but the acting performances by Nolte, Morgan, and Hutton are stellar. One might expect such performances by the veterans Nolte and Hutton, but the way Morgan held his own scene for scene with these icons shows his versatility and promise as a coming of age actor soon to be recognized by all as a talented force. I thought he looked familiar so after investigating I realized he was in Mean Creek and also had a fairly long list of credits, including starring opposite Vanessa Redgrave in Rumor of Angels (another great film and another fine performance for Morgan). I am looking forward to seeing Pondsoldt's next film and the what the future holds for Morgan!