Sympathy for Delicious (2010)

A newly paralyzed DJ gets more than he bargained for when he seeks out the world of faith healing.

Director:

Mark Ruffalo

Writer:

Christopher Thornton

Stars:

Christopher Thornton, Mark Ruffalo, Juliette Lewis

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Thornton	...	Dean O'Dwyer
Mark Ruffalo	...	Father Joe
Juliette Lewis	...	Ariel Lee
Laura Linney	...	Nina Hogue
Orlando Bloom	...	The Stain
Noah Emmerich	...	Rene Faubacher
James Karen	...	Father Rohn
John Carroll Lynch	...	Evangelist Carroll
Robert Wisdom	...	Prendell
Dov Tiefenbach	...	Oogie
Niko Nicotera	...	Rasha
Deantoni Parks	...	Chuck
Stephen Mendillo	...	Angry Drunk Harv
Sandra Seacat	...	Mrs. Matilda
Daniel Escobar	...	Hector

Storyline

Dean O'Dwyer, also known as ""Delicious D," is an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident leaves Dean paralyzed, he abandons his turntables for a wheelchair as his once promising career disappears before his eyes. Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean begins his descent into depression when he meets Father Joe Roselli, a passionate young priest. Father Joe introduces Dean to the world of faith-healing, an unlikely way for him to begin his quest to walk again. He soon discovers that he possesses the otherworldly power to heal people, but in an odd twist of fate, he is utterly unable to heal himself. Despite Father Joe's warnings, Dean angrily decides to use his newfound gift for fame and fortune. He joins a rock band led by charismatic front man The Stain with bassist Ariel, and manager Nina Hogue. But his newfound notoriety is unable to cure the hurt that encompasses his life. To find true healing, Dean must ultimately ...

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Plot Keywords:

faith healing | wheelchair | homeless | disc jockey

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Taglines:

You get what you need.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some drug content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 2011 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Metafysiko... 'talento'

Filming Locations:

658 S Main St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,448 (USA) (29 April 2011)

Gross:

$13,114 (USA) (6 May 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Corner Store Entertainment, Super Crispy Entertainment, Volume One Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References M*A*S*H (1972)

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Soundtracks

"09-15-00 Part 1"
(2002)
Performed by Godspeed You Black Emperor!
Written by Godspeed You Black Emperor!
Courtesy of Constellation Records

User Reviews

A Quality Movie form a Fine Writer, Director and Cast

SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS is well worth watching in theaters, on demand for television, or DVD. Though the film is out and available at present, this ad for a movie poster is the only opportunity to attract attention to an excellent movie and encourage people to watch for it. The story addresses several tough issues - the plight of the homeless on skid row, the lack of support for disabled persons, the arena of faith healing, and the at times crumbling dreams and realities of rock bands. The film was written by Christopher Thornton who suffered spinal cord injury in 1992 resulting in his being a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair: he has over come his disability by becoming a much lauded stage actor (the first to play Hamlet in a wheelchair, etc): Thornton also stars in this film and his performance introduces an actor of exceptional virtuosity. Mark Ruffalo directs his first film and also stars as one of the lead characters.

'Delicious' Dean O'Dwyer (Christopher Thornton) is a DJ on the rise in Los Angeles whose career is devastated by a motorcycle accident leaving him confined to a wheelchair, living in a car on skid row. He is part of the people cared for by Father Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo) who recognizes a life worth saving and turns his attention to Dean, attempting to restore his ability to walk by taking him to a faith healing revival lead by Healer (John Carroll Lynch). Though Dean is not healed himself he does happen to touch one of his fellow skid row dwellers who is subsequently miraculously healed. One of Dean's friends, Rene (Noah Emmerich) discovers Dean's powers and pleads with him to heal fellow paraplegic Rene. Dean does not believe in his power of faith healing (he is frustrated that he cannot heal himself!) and continues to search for a place where he can return to being a performing DJ.

Dean meets bass player Ariel Lee (Juliette Lewis, in a stunning star turn) who is convinced Dean should join a forming band composed of The Stain (Orlando Bloom), Ariel, and Oogie (Dov Tiefenbach). While the rasty band recognizes Dean's talent as a possible addition to the band, the band's PR person Nina Hogue (Laura Linney) will have none of it. it is only when Dean's healing powers surface that the band - and Nina - want him to give them an image that will make them famous. Dean is discouraged by Father Joe, pleading with him to remain at skid row performing his healing so that Father Joe will increase donations to his charity care house. Conflicts arise, incidents occur with the band and at skid row and Dean's place in all of this new fame is altered: money seems to be the driver that destroys many people and gets in the way of the true value of Dean's healing gift.

The film is strong on many levels - especially the acting (except for Orlando Bloom who overwhelms the story in the wrong way) - and as a first film to be directed by the very gifted Mark Ruffalo it holds promise of works to come. Christopher Thornton is not only a fine writer and actor, but his screen presence i so powerful that it is likely he will become as major a star on film as he is on stage.

Grady Harp