The Leading Man (1996)
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- R
- 1h 40min
- Drama, Romance
- 06 Mar 1998 (USA)
- Movie
A successful playwright falls in love with his new actress Hilary (Thandie Newton) and, in an attempt to leave his wife Elena (Anna Galiena) without incident, recruits a handsome Hollywood actor (Jon Bon Jovi) to seduce her.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Jon Bon Jovi | ... |
Robin Grange
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| Anna Galiena | ... |
Elena Webb
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| Lambert Wilson | ... |
Felix Webb
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| Thandiwe Newton | ... |
Hilary Rule
(as Thandie Newton)
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| Barry Humphries | ... |
Humphrey Beal
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| David Warner | ... |
Tod
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| Patricia Hodge | ... |
Delvene
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| Diana Quick | ... |
Susan
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| Harriet Walter | ... |
Liz Flett
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Tam Dean Burn | ... |
Henry
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| Claire Cox | ... |
Serena
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| Kevin McKidd | ... |
Ant
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| Victoria Smurfit | ... |
Annabel
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| Laura Austin-Little | ... |
Miranda Webb
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Danny Worters | ... |
Danny Webb
(as Daniel Worters)
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Camilla Ohlsson | ... |
Jessie Webb
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Harry Jones | ... |
Doorman
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Sheridan Morley | ... |
TV Interviewer
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| Geoffrey Freshwater | ... |
Attendant
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Michael Gunn | ... |
Technician
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Elizabeth Spender | ... |
Anne
(as Lizzie Spender)
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Roz Freeman-Atwood | ... |
Caro
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| Nicole Kidman | ... |
Academy Awards Presenter
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Robert McDonald | ... |
Michael
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Andrew Lucre | ... |
Rob
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| Neve McIntosh | ... |
Cashier
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| Ginny Holder | ... |
Georgina
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James Haggie | ... |
Jessie's Friend
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Simon Elliott | ... |
Toby
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| Anna Rose | ... |
Andrea
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David Smidman | ... |
George
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Georgia Reece | ... |
Lotte
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Trilby Beresford | ... |
Laughing Girl (uncredited)
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| Mark Chapman | ... |
Journalist (uncredited)
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Helen Grace | ... |
Woman (uncredited)
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Michael Hussey | ... |
Doorman (uncredited)
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| Guy Normas | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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| Billie Piper | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Duigan | ||
Written by
| Virginia Duigan | ... | () |
Produced by
| Peter McAleese | ... | line producer |
| Bertil Ohlsson | ... | producer |
| Julia Palau | ... | executive producer |
| Paul Raphael | ... | producer |
| Michael Ryan | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Edward Shearmur | ||
Cinematography by
| Jean-François Robin | ||
Film Editing by
| Humphrey Dixon | ||
Editorial Department
| Anna Aylward | ... | digital assistant editor |
| Claire Ferguson | ... | trainee assistant editor |
| Andrew Melhuish | ... | first assistant editor |
Casting By
| Jina Jayawardena | ||
Production Design by
| Caroline Hanania | ||
Art Direction by
| Andrew Munro | ||
Set Decoration by
| Trisha Edwards | ||
Costume Design by
| Rachael Fleming | ||
Makeup Department
| Carmel Jackson | ... | makeup artist |
| Graham Johnston | ... | key makeup artist |
| Robert McCann | ... | hair styles supervisor / makeup supervisor |
| Lorna McGowan | ... | makeup assistant |
Production Management
| Stephen Barker | ... | post-production supervisor (as Steve Barker) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Russell Channon | ... | third assistant director |
| Tommy Gormley | ... | first assistant director |
| Stuart Renfrew | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Jacqueline Abrahams | ... | assistant art director |
| Mark Adams | ... | Painter |
| Andy Beauchamp | ... | construction carpenter |
| Mick Brady | ... | dressing props |
| Gillian Cambell | ... | scenic artist |
| Steve Carter | ... | assistant art director |
| Antoine Colchester | ... | construction carpenter |
| Simon Cooke | ... | construction stagehand |
| Damon Earnshaw | ... | art department assistant |
| Billy Edwards | ... | art department runner |
| Tony Fleming | ... | construction carpenter |
| Ron Fowler | ... | construction plasterer |
| Bobby Gee | ... | stand-by painter |
| Bill Gower | ... | stand-by props |
| Colin Gray | ... | dressing props |
| Matthew Richard Harris | ... | graphic designer |
| Bob Hedges | ... | property master (as Bobby Hedges) |
| Mark Hedges | ... | dressing props |
| Peter Hedges | ... | dressing props |
| Tony Hill | ... | construction painter |
| Clive Mitchell | ... | construction carpenter |
| Steve Mitchell | ... | scenic artist |
| Sue Morrison | ... | property buyer |
| Bob Orr | ... | stand-by props |
| Brian Pickett | ... | construction rigger |
| Kate Read | ... | scenic artist |
| Stuart Rushbrook | ... | construction stagehand |
| Mark Smale-Adams | ... | construction painter |
| Ricky Stone | ... | stand-by rigger |
| Robin Thistlewaite | ... | construction manager (as Robin Thistlethwaite) |
| Paul Turley | ... | props storeroom |
| John Watt | ... | stand-by carpenter |
| Karen Whitehead | ... | construction painter |
Sound Department
| Christopher Ackland | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Tim Cavagin | ... | re - recording |
| Tony Cook | ... | boom operator |
| Joe Gilmore | ... | foley editor |
| Gordon Greenaway | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Matt Grimes | ... | sound effects editor (as Matt Grime) |
| Dean Humphreys | ... | re - recording |
| Nick Lowe | ... | dialogue editor |
| Stephen McLaughlin | ... | sound recording mixer (as Steve McLaughlin) |
| Colin Nicolson | ... | sound supervisor |
| Harry Rambaut | ... | sound trainee |
Special Effects by
| David Harris | ... | special effects |
| Neil Toddy Todd | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Ann Aylward | ... | digital assistant editor |
Stunts
| Peter Brayham | ... | stunt arranger |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Mike Alcock | ... | electrician |
| Alex Bailey | ... | still photographer |
| Roy Branch | ... | electrician |
| Julian Bucknall | ... | second unit focus puller |
| Paul Chedlow | ... | still photographer |
| Daniel Cohen | ... | clapper loader |
| Paul Cronin | ... | gaffer |
| Flavio Ferrari | ... | camera trainee |
| Simon Finney | ... | focus puller |
| Tony Haslam | ... | electrician |
| Vince Madden | ... | best boy |
| Jon Moore | ... | electrician |
| Peter Scorah | ... | second unit grip: and camera car driver |
| Robin Stone | ... | key grip |
| Roger Tooley | ... | steadicam operator |
Casting Department
| Clare Dalby | ... | casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Judith Barkas | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Karen Beale | ... | wardrobe mistress |
| Steven Noble | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Stephen Noble) / wardrobe assistant |
| Gianni Versace | ... | clothes: supplier for Mr. Bon Jovi |
| Natalie Ward | ... | wardrobe assistant |
Location Management
| Mike Carter | ... | assistant location manager |
| Sue Quinn | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Mark Berrow | ... | score performed by |
| Steve Lindsey | ... | music supervisor |
| Mark Berrow | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Louise Crichton | ... | assistant script supervisor |
| Pat Rambaut | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| John Atkins | ... | artist driver |
| John Butters | ... | artist driver |
| Andy Carter | ... | facilities maintenance |
| Fred Chiverton | ... | driver: Mr. Bon Jovi (as Freddie Chiverton) |
| Clive Crawley | ... | artist driver |
| Gordon Curran | ... | unit driver |
| Gordon Curren | ... | artist driver |
| Mike Eliot | ... | facilities maintenance |
| Jeff Harding | ... | facilities maintenance |
| Peter Harvey | ... | artist driver |
| John King | ... | artist driver |
| Jon Maskell | ... | facilities maintenance |
Additional Crew
| Benjamin Beresford | ... | caterer |
| Peter Bramwell | ... | stand-in |
| Laurence Brown | ... | legal services |
| Merry Brown | ... | caterer |
| Richards Butler | ... | legal services |
| Guy Cowan | ... | caterer |
| Pierre Fabre | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| Jon Frederiksen | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| Linda Gamble | ... | unit publicist |
| Isabell Graham | ... | caterer |
| Benjamin Greenacre | ... | production assistant |
| Sara Gustafsson | ... | stand-in |
| Michael Charles Hill | ... | distribution and marketing coordinator |
| Jo Human | ... | assistant to director |
| Bob Irwin | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| Neville James | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| Joseph Jayawardena | ... | floor runner |
| Julie Lemasson | ... | production trainee |
| Robert Mcdonald | ... | assistant accountant (as Robert McDonald) |
| Richard Moffatt | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| Lulu Morgan | ... | assistant to producer |
| Mark Murdoch | ... | runner |
| Arthur O'Neil | ... | caterer |
| Jenny Patrick | ... | voice coach: Anna Galiena |
| Sarah Purser | ... | floor runner |
| Stuart Saunders | ... | crew member: Theatre Royal |
| David Seaton | ... | runner |
| Shellie Smith | ... | production coordinator |
| Nicole Stott | ... | production assistant |
| Karen Thrussell | ... | floor runner |
| Dianne Twiddy | ... | production accountant |
| Elly Wilson | ... | production runner |
Thanks
| Jo Binns | ... | special thanks |
| Day Bowman | ... | special thanks |
| Shelly Brett | ... | special thanks |
| John Cooper | ... | special thanks |
| Dave Davis | ... | special thanks |
| Nicole Farhi | ... | special thanks |
| Katherine Hamnett | ... | special thanks |
| Piper Heidsirck | ... | special thanks |
| Peter James | ... | special thanks |
| Alan Moss | ... | special thanks |
| Billie Rafaeli | ... | special thanks |
| Sarah Raphael | ... | special thanks |
| Jonathan Rotherford-Best | ... | special thanks |
| David Secombe | ... | special thanks |
| Bill Summers | ... | special thanks |
| Steve Thaxton | ... | special thanks |
| Bryan Whitfield | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Becker Entertainment (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner (1996) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Guild Pathe Cinema (1997) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Rialto Film AG (1996) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
- Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS) (retail)
- Laurenfilm (Spain)
- Laurus Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS) (rental)
- Leone Film Group (2013) (Italy)
- Northern Arts Entertainment (1998) (United States)
- Pathe UK (United Kingdom)
- PlayArte Filmes (Brazil) (VHS)
- Silvio Sardi Communications (2000) (Italy)
- VCL Communications (Germany) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Aon Entertainment Risk Services Ltd. (insurance)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- General Screen Enterprises (titles)
- JAC Publicity (international publicity)
- Playlight Film and Television Lighting (lighting and generators)
- Richards Butler International Law Firms (legal services)
- Sapex Scripts (post-production script services)
- Tru-Cut (negative cutting)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Successful playwright Felix Webb has a new play, 'The Hit Man', in rehearsal. Directed by his old friend Humphrey, it is already being hailed as a masterpiece; but Felix can't enjoy his success. He has fallen passionately in love with Hilary, a beautiful, fiesty young actress, and is preparing to desert his perfect family, his wife Elena and three lively children. His intolerable situation is further complicated when Humphrey casts Hilary as one of the leads in 'The Hit Man'. Enter Robin Grange, a charismatic young Hollywood actor making his London theatre debut. Robin is attractive, charming and dangerous, and soon inveigles his way into everyone's life. He ingratiates himself with the cast and, quickly grasping Felix's dilemma, sets about weaving his web of mischief. He suggests that if he were to seduce Elena, she would be distracted from Felix's affair, regain her self respect, and perhaps even willingly part from the unfaithful husband to whom she clings. Initially Felix is outraged but as the tension mounts with Hilary, reluctant to continue as the second woman in his life, he succumbs. Watching in horror as Elena responds to Robin's perfectly plotted seduction, and tormented with suspicions that Hilary has also fallen under Robin's spell, Felix spirals towards a kind of madness. Desperate to regain control of his life, he indulges in a grand theatrical gesture, but fate intervenes, and both Felix and Robin learn that real life doesn't always follow the script.
Written by Eva Tauzer |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Indecent. Immoral. Irresistible. It's the role he was born to play. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | In a 2020 interview with Vulture, Thandiwe Newton expressed her regret having appeared in this film, which was directed by John Duigan, who had groomed and abused her during the making of Flirting (1991) and had bullied her into participating. During a scene where Newton was topless, Duigan told her that the camera was framed above her breasts, and Newton was mortified to later discover that was not the case. See more » |
| Goofs | The exterior of the theatre in which the play is performed is obviously The Playhouse, Charing Cross, London but the interior is the Theatre Royal, Stratford, London. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Episode dated 1 June 1997 (1997). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Burning Down the House See more » |