The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)

Director:

Rawson Marshall Thurber

Writers (WGA):

Rawson Marshall Thurber (screenplay)
Michael Chabon (novel)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes life leads you to the most mysterious places.

Plot:

Based on Michael Chabon's novel, the film chronicles the defining summer of a recent college graduate who crosses his gangster father and explores love, sexuality, and the enigmas surrounding his life and his city.

Plot Keywords:

Summer | Gangster | Bare Chested Male | Sex | Bisexuality

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jon Foster	...	Art Bechstein
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Cleveland Arning
Sienna Miller	...	Jane Bellwether
Nick Nolte	...	Joe Bechstein
Mena Suvari	...	Phlox Lombardi
Omid Abtahi	...	Mohammed
Keith Michael Gregory	...	Keith
Ali Reed	...	Female Book Barn Employee
James A. Harper	...	Teen Book Barn Employee
Don Wadsworth	...	Class Instructor
Christian Hand	...	Punk Rock Bathroom Patron
Jarid Faubel	...	Mohawk Man (as Jarid C. Faubel)
Tim Hartman	...	Restaurant Manager
Shannon Williams	...	Lurch
Seth Adams	...	Feldman
Max Havrilla	...	Little Boy in Book Barn
Jocelyn Wrzosek	...	Townie
Patrick Jordan	...	Phlox's New Boyfriend
Stephen Liska	...	Jimmy Breezy
Marc Macaulay	...	Lenny Burns
Jack Baun	...	Officer #1
Jeff Hochendoner	...	Officer #2
Tommy Lafitte	...	Precinct Officer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tony Amen	...	Mobster (uncredited)
Aaron Bernard	...	Club Punk (uncredited)
Natalie Bloomer	...	Club Punk / Student (uncredited)
Nicholas Brady	...	Motorcycle Kid (uncredited)
Jeremy Gladen	...	Student (uncredited)
John W. Iwanonkiw	...	Guy at Police Station (uncredited)
Katie Jensen	...	Club Punk (uncredited)
Katie Jensen	...	Club Punk (uncredited)
William Kania	...	Elevator Attendant (uncredited)
Shaz Khan	...	Lebanese Guy (uncredited)
Frederick E. Kowalo	...	Biker Funeral Attendee (uncredited)
Meritt Latimore	...	Woman / Couple Seated at Restaurant (uncredited)
David Macerelli	...	Cemetery Worker (uncredited)
Andrew McCune	...	Hotel Bellhop (uncredited)
Buzz McEntire	...	Club Punk (uncredited)
Dominic Mecchia	...	Funeral Attendee (uncredited)
Jeremy Moon	...	Businessman (uncredited)
David Morse	...	Sous Chef (uncredited)
Walter E. Myal	...	Elevator Attendant / Student (uncredited)
Phil Nardozzi	...	Diner Patron (uncredited)
Jackson Nunn	...	Jail Inmate (uncredited)
Joe Pawlenko	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Peacoe Reilly	...	Club Punk Rocker (uncredited)
Kyle Shepard	...	Curly Blonde Club Punk (uncredited)
Mark Tierno	...	Priest (uncredited)
Matt Veltri	...	Bell Hop (uncredited)

Directed by
Rawson Marshall Thurber

Writing credits (WGA)
Rawson Marshall Thurber		(screenplay)
Michael Chabon		(novel)

Produced by
Omar Amanat	....	executive producer
Deborah Aquila	....	co-producer
Steffen Aumueller	....	associate producer (as Steffen Aumüller)
Thor Benander	....	producer
Pete Chiarelli	....	executive producer
Claus Clausen	....	executive producer
Marina Grasic	....	executive producer
Jan Korbelin	....	executive producer
Peter Kostense	....	executive producer
Khristina Kravas	....	co-producer
Michael London	....	producer
Jason Christopher Mercer	....	producer (as Jason Mercer)
Bruna Papandrea	....	executive producer
Vicki Dee Rock	....	executive producer
Glenn M. Stewart	....	associate producer (as Glenn Stewart)
Rawson Marshall Thurber	....	producer
John Woldenberg	....	executive producer
Gary Hamilton	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Theodore Shapiro

Cinematography by
Michael Barrett

Film Editing by
Barbara Tulliver

Casting by
Deborah Aquila
Jennifer L. Smith
Tricia Wood

Production Design by
Maher Ahmad

Art Direction by
Gary Kosko

Set Decoration by
Bryony Foster

Costume Design by
Wendy Chuck

Makeup Department
Kate Biscoe	....	makeup department head
Jeannee Josefczyk	....	key makeup artist
Karen Lovell	....	key hair stylist
Rosalee Riggle	....	hair department head

Production Management
Nancy Kirhoffer	....	post-production supervisor
Leeann Stonebreaker	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lillian Awa	....	second second assistant director
Eric Sherman	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Timothy Barnhill	....	set dresser
Paul Bucciarelli	....	on-set dresser
Robert Buncher	....	key greensman
Francine Byrne	....	art department coordinator
Darien N. D'Alfonso	....	scenic artist
Bill Dalzell	....	set dresser
Eileen Garrigan	....	charge scenic
Thomas J. Garrigan	....	assistant property master
Jim Heastings	....	carpenter
Smith Harper Hutchings	....	buyer
Kenneth J. Kellers	....	leadman
Lara Lampenfield	....	painter
Lauri Mancuso	....	scenic artist
Tyler Morgan	....	art department assistant
Mary O'Brien	....	stand-by scenic
Buster Pile	....	construction coordinator
Gregory Puchalski	....	painter
Andrew M. Siegel	....	property master

Sound Department
Kami Asgar	....	supervising sound editor
Joseph R. Branca	....	apprentice sound editor
Anita Cannella	....	foley artist
Carlos Delarios	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jim Emswiller	....	sound mixer
Scott G.G. Haller	....	supervising dialog editor
Amy Kane	....	foley artist
John Marquis	....	sound effects supervisor
Sean McCormack	....	supervising sound editor
Robert Nichols II	....	sound recordist
Jacob Riehle	....	assistant sound editor
Mamie Stein	....	sound utility
Tim Tuchrello	....	sound editor
Gregory H. Watkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
Peter Gleaves	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Allen Hartz	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jim Heastings	....	special effects technician
Matt Vogel	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Joseph Francis	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Michael Ahl	....	stunt driver
Greg Anthony	....	stunt double
Brian Avery	....	utility stunts
Johnny Becker	....	stunt driver
Jeff Brockton	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Jeff Brockton	....	stunt double: Peter Sarsgaard
Richard Bucher	....	stunt double
Karen Carbone	....	stunts
Robert Cole	....	stunt driver
Geoffrey Dowell	....	stunt performer
Sean Graham	....	stunts
Pete Klein	....	stunts
Chad Knorr	....	stunt driver
Bill Leaman	....	stunt driver
Buck McDancer	....	stunt coordinator
Jason Silvis	....	utility stunts
Justin Sundquist	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Bruce Birmelin	....	still photographer
Kevin Brady	....	electrician
Kevin C. Brady	....	electrician
Jarrett Buba	....	electrician
Matthew Bulleri	....	grip
Brian 'Buzz' Buzzelli	....	dolly grip
Jorgen Christenen	....	set lighting
John Codi	....	additional grip
Chad Djubek	....	electrician
Bart Flaherty	....	key grip
Matthew J. Fridg	....	electrician
Brad Garris	....	additional grip
John Kairis	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
John S. Moyer	....	Steadicam operator
John S. Moyer	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Sean Murray	....	electrician
Dale Myrand	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Jean-Pierre Nutini	....	rigging gaffer
John 'JOC' O'Connell	....	camera production assistant
Brian S. Osmond	....	additional camera operator
Justin Pelissero	....	best boy rigging electric
Brian Powers	....	electrician
Amanda Rotzler	....	camera trainee
Terry Shirk	....	electrician
Doug Stanczak	....	key video assist operator
Nick Tallo	....	grip
Jeff Vandermolen	....	best boy electric
Rick A. West	....	gaffer
Nick Zinobile	....	additional grip

Casting Department
Donna M. Belajac	....	casting: Pittsburgh
Samantha Finkler	....	casting associate
Melissa Mittereder	....	casting assistant
Nancy Mosser	....	extras casting director
Katie Shenot	....	extras casting associate
Erin Toner	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Adam Dunhoff	....	wardrobe intern
Celina Ferencz	....	wardrobe assistant
Andrew Huntley II	....	wardrobe intern
Catherine Riley	....	costumer
Faye Sevilla	....	costume supervisor
Cammi Upton	....	wardrobe intern

Editorial Department
Ian Blume	....	first assistant editor
Jeff Cossaboom	....	post-production intern
Doug Delaney	....	digital intermediate colorist
Gabriel Diaz	....	post-production assistant
Steve Jacks	....	editing intern
Matthew W. Johnson	....	iq artist
Jason Ruitenbach	....	digital restoration
Betsy Solorzano	....	digital intermediate producer
David Townsend	....	post-production coordinator
Benjamin Wiser	....	post-production assistant
Anthony Motta	....	telecine assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Chris Bacon	....	orchestrator (as Chris P. Bacon)
Bryan Carrigan	....	digital score recordist
John Finklea	....	music editor
Chris Fogel	....	music scoring mixer
Christian Hand	....	music supervisor
Julie Pearce	....	additional music editor
Randall Poster	....	music consultant
Robert Puff	....	music preparation
Stuart Michael Thomas	....	orchestrator

Transportation Department
Byron Roland	....	driver: production van
Marc Scott	....	transportation coordinator
Greg Viglione	....	driver

Other crew
Kate Amer	....	production supervisor
Cassandra Barbour	....	rights and clearances
Elizabeth A. Bergman	....	post-production accountant
Stephanie Bertoni	....	location assistant
Craig T. Brown	....	production assistant
John C. Bryan III	....	trainer: golf
Ray Cervenak	....	security captain
Katie Clarke	....	production accountant
Emma Cooper	....	unit publicist
Cory Cope	....	assistant location manager
Jonathan Dieringer	....	accounting clerk
Sean Eisele	....	set production assistant
Juliana Farrell	....	production executive
Larry Geyer	....	assistant production coordinator
Elizabeth Grave	....	assistant: Mr. London
Paula Gregg	....	key craft service
Virginia M. Herdman	....	key nurse
Stephen Hough	....	assistant location manager
John W. Iwanonkiw	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Eric Johnson	....	trainer: golf
Travis Johnston	....	location production assistant
Cynthia Kim	....	assistant: Ms. Papandrea
Beth Koshinski	....	first assistant accountant
James A. Mahathey	....	location manager
Peter Martorano	....	location manager
Matthew M. McCloskey	....	location assistant
Curtis McCormick	....	epk sound
Dominic Mecchia	....	assistant: Mr. Thurber
Julie Moffa	....	production assistant
Tim Monich	....	dialect coach
Walter E. Myal	....	set production assistant
Lauren Newhouse	....	production secretary
Adam Nietupski	....	production office intern
Henry Posner	....	technical consultant: train
Laura Sevier	....	rights and clearances
Michelle Skaneski	....	production assistant
Lauren Spartano	....	stand in: Sienna Miller
Sharon Steinhauser	....	business and legal affairs
Vickie Toner	....	production coordinator
Marion Tumen	....	script supervisor
Dana Wilkey	....	product placement

Thanks
John August	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Philip Boyd	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Michael Chabon	....	very special thanks
Anna Dobkin	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Ed Dunlap	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Todd Eckert	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Jason Kirker	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Alan Kukovich	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Jeff Nathanson	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Jack Nolan	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Paul Quattrone	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Lorene Scafaria	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Sean Sebastian	....	the filmmakers wish to thank
Ayelet Waldman	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Groundswell Productions
• Sherazade Film Development (as Sherazade Films)
• Visitor Pictures
• QED International (in association with)

Distributors

• Peace Arch Entertainment Group (2009) (USA) (theatrical)
• Vitagraph Films (2009) (USA) (theatrical)
• Atlas Film Verleih (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Imagem Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Post Logic Studios (visual effects)

Other Companies

• 424 Post  sound post-production
• Behind the Scenes Freight  shipping by
• Creative Artists Agency (CAA)  U.S. sales
• Entertainment Clearances  rights and clearances
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• NPI Entertainment Payroll  payroll services - sound editors (as NPI Production Services)
• Pivotal Post  Avid editing equipment provided by

Also Known As:

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:18A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Australia:M | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Groundswell Productions

Trivia:

Max Minghella was originally attached to play Art but dropped out due to school commitments.

Quotes:

Jane Bellwether:And what does he do? What does your father do?
Art Bechstein:He manipulates Swiss bank accounts with money that comes from numbers, whores, protection, and cigarette smuggling.
Jane Bellwether:Really?
Art Bechstein:No, he's in finance.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Miss March/Race to Witch Mountain/Sunshine Cleaning (#1.3)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Dead Will Rise

Beautiful but confusing film

This was a beautiful but ultimately confusing film.

There is an impressive cast of photogenic and talented actors, but the editing seems to have left parts of the story, which would explain its progression, out.

As a result, the story of the 'last' summer for the character played by Foster, it is only partly believable, and the poignancy that one can sense was aimed at, is missed.

There is good acting by the main actors, but the lines provided and the editing leave a lot to be desired.

It is worth seeing, but ultimately leads to a mix of emotions at the end, and not ones intended by the director.