Monster in a Box (1992)

This is the story of Spalding Gray and his attempt to write a novel. It is a first person account about writing and living, and dealing with success while trying to be successful.

Director:

Nick Broomfield

Writer:

Spalding Gray

Star:

Spalding Gray

Cast

Credited cast:
Spalding Gray	...	Self

Storyline

This is the story of Spalding Gray and his attempt to write a novel. It is a first person account about writing and living, and dealing with success while trying to be successful.

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Plot Keywords:

writing | one man show | live performance | monologue | based on play | 

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Taglines:

He Survived "Swimming to Cambodia." Now The Adventure Continues.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to the enormously long autobiographical novel that Spalding Gray describes trying to finish, a manuscript of which he uses as a prop throughout the movie. The same year the film was released, this was published (apparently in edited form) as "Impossible Vacation".

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Quotes

Spalding Gray: [on travelling to Nicaragua] We sign up with thirty-six fact-finding American groups. Earnest! EARNEST! I felt like TRASH!

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Connections

References The Killing Fields (1984)

User Reviews

The Best One Man Act In Hollywood

In this monologue, Spalding Gray has returned to exploit his incredible storytelling abilities, which he will use to take us on a psychological journey through his experience of attempting to write a book (which he calls "the Monster")- after having two previously successful monologues (that is, excluding his uber-rare monologues on LA and a Personal History of American Theatre), a minor acting career (most notably in Joffe's "The Killing Fields"), and the death of his mother.

As always, he puts on one hell of an entertaining performance. I still like "Swimming to Cambodia" better, but he puts on an equally amazing performance in this piece. It's just that there isn't as much of a cinematic touch put on the film- as compared to "Swimming" and "Gray's Anatomy". The focus here is all on Spalding.

Spalding Gray is truly a master storyteller that must be seen to be experienced. I regret not getting an oppourtunity to see him live...before he passed on and all. Thankfully we have these brilliant testaments, which he has left us with. 9 out of 10.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1992 (USA)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$311,245

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$311,245

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Jon Blair Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1