The Big Brass Ring (1999)

Blake Pellarin is on the campaign trail to become Governor of the state of Missouri. While making a stop in St. Louis, a chance encounter brings his past back to haunt him. Will the truth ... See full summary »

Director:

George Hickenlooper

Writers:

Orson Welles (earlier screenplay), Oja Kodar (earlier screenplay)

Stars:

William Hurt, Nigel Hawthorne, Miranda Richardson

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Hurt	...	Blake
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Kim
Miranda Richardson	...	Dinah
Irène Jacob	...	Cela (as Irene Jacob)
Ewan Stewart	...	Kinzel
Gregg Henry	...	Billy
Ron Livingston	...	Sheldon Buckle
Jefferson Mays	...	Garne Strickland
Jim Metzler	...	Pacxy Barragan
Carmine Giovinazzo	...	Young Billy
Thomas Patrick Kelly	...	Young Blake
Mack Harrell	...	Homer Dix
Lisette Bross	...	B.C. Dix
F. Joseph Schulte	...	Senator Jack Moorehead
Peggy Freisen	...	Gigi Moorehead (as Peggy Friesen)

Storyline

Blake Pellarin is on the campaign trail to become Governor of the state of Missouri. While making a stop in St. Louis, a chance encounter brings his past back to haunt him. Will the truth ruin his chances for office or will he land the "Big Brass Ring"?

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Plot Keywords:

suspected homosexual | based on short film | nudity | remake | election | 

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Taglines:

You can't buy absolution...What you seek is something that can only be given.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some graphic sexuality, and for language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Orson Welles had hoped to direct this movie in the early 1980s, and to play the role of Minnaker, not least as he had been a "New Deal" Democrat close to Franklin D. Roosevelt, but he was unable to attract enough funding. He had been given a list of six "bankable" stars who could play Pellarin, including Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, and Burt Reynolds, and was told by investors that if he could sign up one of them, then the movie could be made; but all six actors refused for various reasons, according to Welles' partner Oja Kodar, Redford was unavailable, Nicholson asked for too much money (he would not work for less than two million dollars, which was the entire proposed budget of the movie), while both Eastwood and Reynolds were uncomfortable with the movie's homosexual subtext, fearing its potential effect on their screen images, and Eastwood in particular feeling that it was at odds with his conservative values.

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Goofs

Despite both gubernatorial candidates apparently being from Missouri, they sport deep south accents. This is never explained.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kim: Abraham Lincoln said it best: it is common enough that we triumph under adversity, but if you truly wish to test a man's character, give him power.

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Connections

References Citizen Kane (1941)

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Soundtracks

Club Lois XIV
Performed by Jesse Lawson and Joseph Schoen
Composed by Christopher Jackson
Used by permission of Christopher Jackson
(c) 1998 Christopher Jackson

User Reviews

Refreshingly upbeat tale on "politicians are flawed" theme

I found this a moving and refreshingly upbeat "take" on the "flawed hero" theme. The pursuit of power has led all the characters to make ruthless and morally dubious choices yet they still strive for some sort of decency in their relationships and by the end of the film have just about achieved this. Yes it's a bit melodramatic but unrealistic? - the more I learn of American politics the more real it seems ( Clinton? Kennedy?) Don't be put of by those reviewers who claim the plot isn't clear. If you pay attention it is! Pellarin's body guard for example is a Vietnam veteran & turns against Blake when he discovers he draft-dodged. The performances are all excellent, particularly William Hurt's as Blake. For the first time I realised I may actually have something in common with these larger than life politicians and they may be as interested as I am in making the world a little better for us all.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Latin

Release Date:

23 June 2000 (Spain)

Also Known As:

The Big Brass Ring

Filming Locations:

St. Louis City Hall - 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Pfilmco

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1