Tempest (1982)

John Cassavetes gives a compelling performance as a man confronting a mid-life crisis with extraordinary results for everyone around him.

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Paul Mazursky, Leon Capetanos

Stars:

John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cassavetes	...	Phillip
Gena Rowlands	...	Antonia
Susan Sarandon	...	Aretha Tomalin
Vittorio Gassman	...	Alonzo
Raul Julia	...	Kalibanos
Molly Ringwald	...	Miranda
Sam Robards	...	Freddy
Paul Stewart	...	Phillip's Father
Jackie Gayle	...	Trinc
Anthony Holland	...	Sebastian
Jerry Hardin	...	Harry
Lucianne Buchanan	...	Dolores
Vassilis Glezakos	...	Greek Boat Captain
Sergio Nicolai	...	First Sailor
Luigi Laezza	...	Second Sailor

Storyline

A sobering mid-life crisis fuels dissatisfaction in Philip Dimitrius, to the extent where the successful architect trades his marriage and career in for a spiritual exile on a remote Greek island where he hopes to conjure meaning into his life - trying the patience of his new girlfriend and angst-ridden teenage daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

mediterranean sea | remote | daughter | greek island | marriage | 

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Taglines:

Most men dream their fantasies. Phillip decided to live his.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1954, John Cassavetes went into the health food restaurant that Paul Mazursky was working in at the time, and told him that they were looking for juvenile delinquent types for the feature film Blackboard Jungle (1955) and Mazursky got cast as Emmanuel Stoker, his second as an actor in a cinema movie. Twenty-seven years later, Mazursky returned the favor and cast Cassavetes in the lead role in this movie.

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Goofs

When a helicopter lands in Manhattan, in the last scene of the film, Philip steps out with a haircut in continuity with the early part of the story, set "18 months ago". Since the time on the island takes place 18 months later, over a 24 hour cycle, his hair should be short and gray when he lands, instead of longer and darker.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Phillip Dimitrius: Son-of-a-bitch! What I wouldn't give for a different nightmare.

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Connections

Version of The Tempest (1986)

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Soundtracks

New York, New York
Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Performed by Liza Minnelli, danced by Raul Julia and his goats
Courtesy of United Artists Records
Special Thanks to Liza Minnelli

User Reviews

TEMPEST as crisis and catalyst

I can't say what knowing the source for this movie adds, but this is one of my favorite films from Paul Mazursky (director and co-author). This is a retake on the Shakespeare "comedy", but utterly removed from the stage. Without much text, Mazursky and star Cassavettes make visual a mid-life crisis of passion and purpose. Desperate to re-center himself, Cassavettes retreats to a remote Greek island--where the locals and the island itself weave a little magic. With Raul Julia especially, Susan Sarandon and Molly Ringwald, this is an adult fantasy that is emotionally satisfying and visually gorgeous. And funny. It wasn't a big box office hit, but whenever it does come to DVD, it will sell.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Greek

Release Date:

24 September 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paul Mazursky's Tempest

Filming Locations:

Athens, Greece

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$80,492, 5 September 1982

Gross USA:

$5,005,245

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,005,245

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1