Dark Horse (2011)

Director:

Todd Solondz

Writer:

Todd Solondz (written by)

Release Date:

29 June 2012 (Ireland)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Romance blooms between two thirty-somethings in arrested development: an avid toy collector who is the dark horse of his family and a depressed woman on the rebound. |

Plot Keywords:

Quarrel | Toy Store | Backgammon | Car Driving | Driving A Car

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Melisa Young	...	Wedding Singer
Jordan Gelber	...	Abe
Selma Blair	...	Miranda (formerly 'Vi')
Mia Farrow	...	Phyllis
Christopher Walken	...	Jackie
Zachary Booth	...	Justin
Donna Murphy	...	Marie
Tyler Maynard	...	Jiminy
Mary Joy	...	Lori
Peter McRobbie	...	Arnie
Justin Bartha	...	Richard
Aasif Mandvi	...	Mahmoud
Di Quon	...	Waitress
Lee Wilkof	...	Phil
Tara-Lee Pollin	...	Dancing Bride
Keith Kuhl	...	Dancing Groom
Kathryn Avery	...	Dancer (as Kathryn Meredith Avery)
Laurena Baros	...	Dancer
Courtney Cooper	...	Dancer
Daniel Genalo	...	Dancer
Nicole Guidetti	...	Dancer
Brian Henninger	...	Dancer
Graham Kurtz	...	Dancer
Leah O'Donnell	...	Dancer
Cody Rigsby	...	Dancer
Steven Rosa	...	Dancer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kenneth Maharaj	...	Store Clerk (uncredited)
Stephanie Mas	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Kimberly McVicar	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Abe Mendel	...	Accountant (uncredited)
Michela Pantano	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Edward Sass III	...	Movie Patron (uncredited)
Mark Steiger	...	Dancer At Wedding (uncredited)

Directed by
Todd Solondz

Writing credits
Todd Solondz		(written by)

Produced by
Juan Basanta	....	producer: Dominican Republic
Ted Hope	....	producer
Rafael Munoz	....	line producer: Dominican Republic
Nick Quested	....	executive producer
Craig Shilowich	....	associate producer
Derrick Tseng	....	producer

Cinematography by
Andrij Parekh

Film Editing by
Kevin Messman

Casting by
Ann Goulder
Gayle Keller

Production Design by
Alex DiGerlando

Art Direction by
Dawn Masi

Set Decoration by
Kris Moran

Costume Design by
Kurt and Bart

Makeup Department
Jochy Campusano	....	makeup artist: Dominican Republic
Daisy Curbeon	....	key hair stylist
David Kalahiki	....	hair department head
Rondi Scott	....	makeup department head
Emily Ansel	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Juan Basanta	....	unit production manager: Dominican Republic
Gretchen McGowan	....	head of production: Goldcrest Films International
Craig Shilowich	....	post-production supervisor
Craig Shilowich	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jolian Blevins	....	second assistant director
Fernando Luciano	....	second assistant director: Dominican Republic
Rafael Munoz	....	first assistant director: Dominican Republic
Cedric Vara	....	second second assistant director
Atilla Salih Yücer	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Matthew Amenta	....	assistant property master
Stuart Auld	....	camera scenic artist
Jeremy L. Balon	....	property master (as Jeremy Balon)
Michael Curry Jr.	....	key carpenter
Jackie Dickson	....	art production assistant
Kate Dougherty	....	art intern
Ana Maria Hart	....	set dresser: Dominican Republic
Kevin Herlihy	....	construction foreman
Michael Herlihy	....	construction coordinator (as Mike Herlihy)
Anna Humphries	....	art intern
Janet Kalas	....	charge scenic artist
Esther Kim	....	art intern
Lucia Lizardo	....	art production assistant: Dominican Republic
Bob Provenzano	....	leadman (as Bobby Provenzano)
Joe Reider	....	assistant property master
Malcolm Sonsire	....	set dresser
Maya Tanaka	....	art intern
Henry Viola	....	art production assistant: Dominican Republic
Josh Vogel	....	on-set dresser
Mike Biskupski	....	on-set dresser (uncredited)
Michael B. Lewis	....	set decorating production assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Jack Hutson	....	sound mixer
Thomas W. Jordan	....	boom operator (as Thomas Jordan)
Eric Offin	....	sound designer
Eric Offin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Offin	....	supervising sound editor
Brian Vancho	....	foley artist
Franklin Vaughan	....	assistant sound editor
Fritz Francois	....	playback sound mixer (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jean-Pierre Boies	....	visual effects supervisor: FLY Studio
Chris Byron	....	cg artist: FLY Studio
Valérie Dufour	....	visual effects technician: FLY Studio (as Valerie Dufour)
Jade Gratton	....	visual effects coordinator: FLY Studio
Mathieu Jolicoeur	....	compositor: FLY Studio
Mathieu Lalumière	....	motion designer: FLY Studio
Louis Moris	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Damian Achilles	....	stunt driver
Melissa H. Morgan	....	stunt driver (as Melissa Morgan)
Thomas Place	....	stunt double: Abe
Manny Siverio	....	stunt coordinator
Jeff Ward	....	stunt driver

Camera and Electrical Department
Cristino Adames	....	gaffer: Dominican Republic
Katie Dainson	....	second assistant camera
Emil De La Paz	....	video assist: Dominican Republic
Hi Elroyl	....	grip
Darren Frohlich	....	best boy electric
Erik Guldbech	....	electric (as Eric Guldbech)
Carlos Gumersindo	....	dolly grip: Dominican Republic
Alejandro Hernández	....	electric: Dominican Republic (as Alejandro Hernandez)
Aaron Jacobs	....	grip
Matthew Jacobs	....	grip (as Matt Jacobs)
Philip Kathrens	....	electric (as Phil Kathrens)
Sam Kretchmar	....	digital imaging technician
Mike 'Electric' Mervilde Jr.	....	dolly grip (as Mike Mervilde)
Jose Montero	....	best boy electric: Dominican Republic
Michael Mortell	....	electric (as Mike Mortell)
Ramón Moya	....	second assistant camera: Dominican Republic (as Ramon Moya)
William Newell	....	gaffer (as Bill Newell)
Antonio Novas	....	clapper/loader: Dominican Republic
Aaron Randall	....	key grip
George Robert	....	digital imaging technician
Tom Ryan	....	camera intern
Matt Staples	....	best boy grip
Juan M. Vasquez	....	key grip: Dominican Republic
Mayret Velasquez	....	data downloader: Dominican Republic
JoJo Whilden	....	still photographer
Toshiro Yamaguchi	....	first assistant camera
Kyle Blackman	....	camera loader: additional photography (uncredited)
Steve Briante	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
James Dombey	....	grip (uncredited)
Rory Hanrahan	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Jamie A. Marlowe	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (uncredited)
Shawn Mulligan	....	grip (uncredited)
August Popkin	....	electrician (uncredited)
Carissa Spatcher	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Heidy Morel	....	extras casting director: Dominican Republic
Rita Powers	....	extras casting
Danielle Turner	....	casting assistant (as Danielle Gonder Torner)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sarah Cuno	....	set costumer
Vitor Evangelista	....	costume intern
Daniel Garcia	....	costume intern
Maham Khwaja	....	costume intern
Rachael Ohman	....	set costumer
Joanna Rockwell	....	costume intern
Shelby Saboy	....	wardrobe supervisor
Slobodan Strinic	....	costumer: Dominican Republic

Editorial Department
Joseph Borges	....	digital intermediate video technician
Moritz Fortmann	....	digital intermediate colorist
Moritz Fortmann	....	digital intermediate finishing artist
Jean Lane	....	digital intermediate producer
Ben Lay	....	digital intermediate video technician
Michael Morgenstern	....	additional media creator
Boon Shin Ng	....	digital intermediate finishing artist
Kathryn J. Schubert	....	first assistant editor
Tim Spitzer	....	digital intermediate supervisor
Sabina-Elease Utley	....	digital intermediate producer

Music Department
Stewart Cararas	....	music engineer: song
Stewart Cararas	....	music mixer: song
Stewart Cararas	....	music producer: song
Michael Hill	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Pedro Antonio Castillo	....	driver: Dominican Republic (as Pedro Castillo)
Jeremiah LaRoche	....	transportation co-captain
Gregorio Rodriguez	....	driver: Dominican Republic
Juan Veloz	....	driver: Dominican Republic
Wilkins Veloz	....	driver: Dominican Republic
Tim Woods	....	transportation captain (as Timothy Woods)

Other crew
Danny Ahn	....	set intern
Marcella Andre	....	payroll service: Entertainment Partners
Alec Bates	....	assistant location manager
Katy Beekman	....	set production assistant
Jean-Pierre Boies	....	title designer: FLY Studio
Stephanie Bousley	....	set intern
Kara Burney	....	office intern
Wendy Cohen	....	product placement coordinator
Carol A. Compton	....	script clearance: IndieClear (as Carol Compton)
Mallory Crowley	....	optician: Mr. Walken
Brian Donegan	....	set production assistant
Brantley Doyle	....	set intern
Riaya Aboul Ela	....	marketing executive: Goldcrest Films International
Gary Evertsz	....	production assistant: Dominican Republic
Brian James Fitzpatrick	....	set production assistant (as Brian Fitzpatrick)
David Formentin	....	set production assistant
Emmanuelle George	....	office intern
Federica Gianni	....	set production assistant: Morocco
Jonathan Gray	....	production counsel: Gray Krauss Des Rochers
Conor Griff	....	key production assistant
Steve Grivno	....	location scout
Richard Guay	....	payroll service: Entertainment Partners
Brian Havens	....	chef: Star Struck Catering
Evan Hill	....	parking coordinator
Kerri Hundley	....	office production assistant
Emily Nan Iason	....	location intern (as Emily Iason)
Sarah Karas	....	office intern
Melissa Kimbler	....	accounting clerk
Dan Knechtges	....	choreographer
Albert Krause	....	production accountant
Chad Lloyd	....	location intern
Fernando Luciano	....	production coordinator: Dominican Republic
Julio Matias	....	production assistant: Dominican Republic
Michael Matlak	....	location assistant
Ross Miller	....	production insurance: Reiff & Associates
Michael Mizrah	....	location scout
Márcia Nunes	....	sales executive: Goldcrest Films International (as Marcia Numes)
Brian O'Laoi	....	clearance coordinator (as Brian Lee)
Brendan O'Rourke	....	location manager
Hi Pebblesi	....	payroll service: Entertainment Partners
Miguel Rodriguez	....	caterer: Dominican Republic, Dominican Food Crew
Pallavi Rohatgi	....	set intern
Claire Skowronek	....	first team production assistant
Josh Stern	....	assistant: Ted Hope
Ian M. Stratford	....	production counsel: Gray Krauss Des Rochers (as Ian Stratford)
Scott Tankel	....	location coordinator
Matthew Thurm	....	assistant: Todd Solondz
Myles Tomczak	....	office intern
Maura Trail	....	production secretary
Andrea Ulrich	....	script supervisor (as Andrea J. Ulrich)
Alicia Van Couvering	....	clearance coordinator
Lior Vardi	....	production office coordinator
Niccolò Vitelli	....	set production assistant (as Nicolo Vitelli)
Claire Warnes	....	head of business affairs: Goldcrest Films International
Devon Williams	....	production counsel: Gray Krauss Des Rochers
Penny Wolf	....	head of sales: Goldcrest Films International
Meredith Wurzbach	....	production insurance: Reiff & Associates
Theresa A. Carroll	....	animal trainer (uncredited)
Alex Dorman	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Avi Edelman	....	production intern (uncredited)
Joe Mancini	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Rodrigo Montealegre	....	assistant: Aasif Mandvi (uncredited)
Rodrigo Montealegre	....	assistant: Tyler Maynard (uncredited)
Rodrigo Montealegre	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Joyce Wu	....	adr loop artist (uncredited)

Thanks
Jason Alexander	....	special thanks
John Furgason	....	special thanks
Kenneth Lee	....	special thanks (as Ken Lee)
Jerry Stiller	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Double Hope Films

Distributors

• Virgil Films & Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Albatros Film (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Happiness Distribution (2012) (France) (theatrical)
• Transformer (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Vitagraph Films (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• Wild Bunch Benelux (2013) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Brainstorm Media (2012) (USA) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Bangladesh) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Bhutan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (India) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Nepal) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Pakistan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Sri Lanka) (all media)

Special Effects

• FLY Studio (visual effects) (as Fly Studio)

Other Companies

• Basanta Films  production services: Dominican Republic
• D.R. Reiff & Associates  production insurance (as Reiff & Associates)
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Dominican Food Crew  catering: Dominican Republic
• Entertainment Partners  payroll service
• Gigantic Studios  audio post facility (as Gigantic Post)
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  digital intermediate finishing services by (as Goldcrest Post)
• Gray Krauss Des Rochers  production counsel
• IndieClear  script clearance
• Lotus Post  adr recorded at
• Star Struck Catering  catering
• Tandem Sound  post-production sound services
• Three Point Capital  funding

Also Known As:

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | UK:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:11 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Clinton Diner, Maspeth, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Double Hope Films

Trivia:

The toy store Abe tries to return a defective toy to is clearly a Toys "R" Us, despite the logo being digitally blurred.

Movie Connections:

References Dr. No (1962)

Soundtrack:

Looking At You

A slow moving and pretty depressing drama with great acting. The movie is OK but I had a hard time staying interested. I say C+

"Sweetie, we've written you off as a failure years ago." Abe (Gelber) is a toy collector and a slacker. In his 30's and still living at home with his parents and working for his father (Walken) he is not always happy. He meets Miranda (Blair) at a party and instantly falls in love. He asks her out once then proposes marriage. When a series of events begins Abe's life takes a strange turn. Having never seen a movie by Solondz before I was expecting this to be a comedy. I couldn't have been more wrong. The movie is OK but it's pretty depressing and Gelber does a really good job in this you really feel for his character. Selma Blair also does a pretty good job and they was she plays you are as confused about her as Abe is, which is probably the point. The acting really drives and helps the movie but to me the movie is just to slow moving to make it a high recommend. If you like Solondz movies then you will like this I'm guessing. To me it was OK but hard to get into. Overall, not bad but slow moving and I did get bored a little, up until the end. Which I was not expecting. I give it a C+.