Why Stop Now (2012)

When a college piano prodigy tries to check his mother into rehab, he is taken hostage by her drug dealer and swept along on a wild adventure.

Directors:

Phil Dorling, Ron Nyswaner

Writers:

Phil Dorling (written for the screen by), Ron Nyswaner (written for the screen by),

Stars:

Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Eli Bloom
Melissa Leo	...	Penny Bloom
Tracy Morgan	...	Sprinkles
Emma Rayne Lyle	...	Nicole Bloom
Sarah Ramos	...	Chloe
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Black
Stephanie March	...	Trish
Paul Calderon	...	Eduardo
Neal Huff	...	Dave Epstein
Jayce Bartok	...	Nurse Mike
Harper Dill	...	Lucy
Tanya Wright	...	Lisa
Marilyn Berry	...	Charlene
Luna Catarevas	...	Marina
Kai Chapman	...	Pat

Storyline

The story of Eli Smith (Jesse Eisenberg), a piano prodigy, dealing with his troubled mother, Penny (Melissa Leo), and enlisting help from a hapless drug dealer, Sprinkles (Tracy Morgan), on the day he has an audition for a prestigious music program. Events spiral comically out of control as this gang of misfits faces the mistakes of the past, the challenges of the future, and the possibilities of love.

---

Plot Keywords:

prodigy | drug dealer | hostage | rehab | question in title | 

---

Taglines:

A funny thing happened on the way to rehab.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,641 (USA) (17 August 2012)

Gross:

$1,641 (USA) (17 August 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BCDF Pictures, Armian Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Eli: Jesus Christ, I am so fucking sick of this shit!

User Reviews

a drama with levity

i kept overlooking this movie because one of it's stars is tracy morgan. never thought he was funny, never! and as this film is marketed as a 'comedy' surely the morgan character would not be funny to me. turns out not to be the case. he doesn't play a funny role!

first, this story is not a comedy!!! second, it's a drama with moments of levity. third, why it is listed as comedy is a mystery to me.

the struggle of the main character 'eli' to follow his piano playing dream, control his out of control mother, and trying to bring some level of normal life to his sister is the theme of this movie. eli has his own problems, but between his domestic obligations and his academic quest he has little time to address them.

what we get is a mere look at what he must do in 24 hours if he is to remain sane and true to himself and take advantage of a great opportunity to start a career as am accomplished piano player.

this movie may have it's weak moments but i doubt anyone can clearly point them out. i became very wrapped up in the eli character and his suffering with his mother and her 'supplier' friends, dealing with 'family', and becoming attached to a girl who obviously cares for him.

this movie is well worth watching! but please do not expect a barrel of comic laughs. if you approach it expecting that you will be disappointed and end up missing a very well performed story.