Starting Out in the Evening (2007)

An ambitious graduate student convinces a writer that her thesis can resurrect his career.

Director:

Andrew Wagner

Writers:

Brian Morton (novel), Fred Parnes (screenplay),

Stars:

Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose, Patti Perkins

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Langella	...	Leonard Schiller
Lauren Ambrose	...	Heather Wolfe
Patti Perkins	...	Dolores
Lili Taylor	...	Ariel Schiller
Adrian Lester	...	Casey Davis
Dennis Parlato	...	Author
Jeff McCarthy	...	Charles
Michael Cumpsty	...	Victor
Jessica Hecht	...	Sandra Bennett
Karl Bury	...	Frederick
Sean T. Krishnan	...	Cab Driver
Thomas Ryan	...	Nick
Anitha Gandhi	...	Chelsea
Joie Lee	...	Second Author
John C. Havens	...	Jeff the Doorman

Storyline

Against the backdrop of Manhattan's changing literary and publishing world, aging novelist Leonard Schiller is asked by Heather Wolfe, a graduate student and budding literary critic, to agree to interviews. He's reluctant to spend the time: his health is failing and he wants to finish one more book. Also he's worried about his daughter, Ariel, who's approaching 40, underemployed, single and wanting a child. But he agrees, hoping Heather can help resurrect interest in his work. As Heather probes Frank's writing and his past, Ariel reconnects to a former lover. Emotions can be raw and messy, and as relationships change, who gets the better part of the bargain?

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Plot Keywords:

student | graduate student | writing | interview | literary critic | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$76,214 (USA) (22 November 2007)

Gross:

$902,115 (USA) (27 June 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinetic Media, InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Heather sits down to drink coffee with Leonard in the morning in his apartment, they each pour coffee in their cups. Yet, when they both sit down to talk and sip, there is no coffee in either of their cups.

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Quotes

Heather Wolfe: Men my age are like chewing gum; ten minutes of flavor, and then just bland repetition.

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Connections

References The Battle of Algiers (1966)

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Soundtracks

"Hour Past 11"
Written by Rob Walker
Performed by Studio Musicians
Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

a great movie about different stages in a thoughtful life

i saw this film at the austin film festival and didn't know what to expect, but i really appreciated the character study of Leonard Schiller (as masterfully played by Frank Langella) and his contrast with Lauren Ambrose's character as a young graduate student doing her master's thesis on the aging writer who is no longer appreciated and has resigned his life to a kind of monastic, slow work on a novel that he may never finish. Lili Taylor plays Langella's daughter trying to direct the course of her life as she turns 40 and re-enters a relationship with an ex, played with great thoughtfulness by Adrian Lester (who I last remember as the narrator character from Primary Colors). i wish there were more movies like this, that show people struggling to make their lives happen on their own meaningful terms, as we live our lives, thankfully without explosions and car chases for the most part. life is an education in how to live it and this film has something to say about that.