American Cowslip (2009)

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with his garden. This dark comedy follows ... See full summary »

Director:

Mark David

Writers:

Ronnie Gene Blevins, Mark David,

Stars:

Ronnie Gene Blevins, Diane Ladd, Rip Torn

Cast

Credited cast:
Ronnie Gene Blevins	...	Ethan Inglebrink
Diane Ladd	...	Roe
Rip Torn	...	Trevor O'Hart
Cloris Leachman	...	Sandy
Val Kilmer	...	Todd Inglebrink
Peter Falk	...	Father Randolph
Bruce Dern	...	Cliff
Priscilla Barnes	...	Samantha
Hanna Hall	...	Georgia (as Hanna R. Hall)
Blake Clark	...	Grimes
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paula Broussard	...	Overweight Jogger
D.W. Brown	...	Kenneth Englebrink
Art Chudabala	...	Rolo
Erik Fellows	...	Rourke
Marcos A. Ferraez	...	Johnny Eyelash

Storyline

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with his garden. This dark comedy follows the last days of Ethan's life as he struggles to find purpose at a time when it might be too late to even matter. After convincing his senior poker buddies that he is diabetic, in order to explain his frequent use of syringes, Ethan shoots up while trying to win poker money to fund his gardening hobby and drug use. Nearing eviction, Ethan gardens furiously in hopes of winning the $10,000 first prize in the "Garden of the Year" contest so he can pay his delinquent rent. Between sugar-munching binges and exchanges with a motley crew of neighbors, Ethan tries to grow the perfect "American cowslip", a beautiful, rare flower that will be the centerpiece of his garden and the floral representation of his life. When his efforts are thwarted by his landlord/high school football coach/next door neighbor, ...

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Taglines:

It takes a village to raise an addict...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexual content/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 September 2010 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buffalo Speedway Film Company, Cowslip Film Partners, Zetta Pictures

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was conceived by Blevins and David in 2003.

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Quotes

Ethan Inglebrink: You know Billy?
Georgia: You mean the special kid?
Ethan Inglebrink: Yeah. He is special... He's also retarded!
Georgia: I think the proper term is "mentally challenged".
Ethan Inglebrink: You're telling me he's mentally challenged and retarded?... Tough break, huh?

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Soundtracks

"Free"
Written by Chris Cann, Dean Truitt, Joseph Blaustein, and Mark David
Performed by Ultrarev
Courtesy of Feudal Records

User Reviews

Magnificent!

What a superb contribution to modern American film! I must admit that at first I was scared American Cowslip would fall into the dreary and desiccated trap that plagues some independent films; however, within the first 10 minutes I was overjoyed by the amount of vivaciousness and wit that flowed from the screen.

Co-writers Mark David and Ronnie Blevins are an inspirational team, and although he is surrounded by an award winning cast, Blevins holds his own in the spotlight. His character, Ethan, is eccentric yet lovable and he is harmoniously paired with his love interest Hanna Hall.

To me the movie is nothing less than 113 minutes of life, love, laughter, and addiction - without a single minute wasted!