People I Know (2002)

A New York press agent must scramble when his major client becomes embroiled in a huge scandal.

Director:

Daniel Algrant (as Dan Algrant)

Writer:

Jon Robin Baitz

Stars:

Al Pacino, Téa Leoni, Ryan O'Neal

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Eli Wurman
Kim Basinger	...	Victoria Gray
Ryan O'Neal	...	Cary Launer
Téa Leoni	...	Jilli Hopper
Richard Schiff	...	Elliot Sharansky
Bill Nunn	...	The Reverend Lyle Blunt
Robert Klein	...	Dr. Sandy Napier
Mark Webber	...	Ross
Eldon Bullock	...	Washroom Attendant
Juliet Papa	...	Radio Announcer (voice)
Ramsey Faragallah	...	David Fielding
Brian McConnachie	...	Jamie Hoff
Frank Wood	...	Michael Wormly
Rex Reed	...	Himself
Lewis Dodley	...	Himself

Storyline

Eli Wurman is a decadent drug addicted New Yorker public relation, who is promoting a social event on behalf of Afro-Americans. Along two days of his crazy life, the day of the event and the day before, he makes contacts and favors, 'kissing asses', using drugs etc. Victoria Gray is his widow sister-in-law and passion in the past. Cary Launer is an Oscar winner actor and principal client of Eli. On the day before of the event, Eli finds out secrets that evolve powerful men of America.

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Plot Keywords:

scandal | new york | actor | protection | corruption | 

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Taglines:

He thought he'd seen it all, until the night he saw too much

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and brief sexual images

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2002 (Peru)

Also Known As:

Influences

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,211, 27 April 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$121,972, 18 May 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Myriad Pictures,Wildwood Enterprises,Galena

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the trailer, a poster for The Parallax View (1974), can be seen behind Al Pacino.

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Quotes

Eli Wurman: [when getting stabbed] Hey, that hurt!

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Connections

Features Live with Kelly and Ryan (1988)

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Soundtracks

Ghoom Charakhana
Performed by Najma Akhtar
Courtesy of Triple Earth Music

User Reviews

a profile of depth

I rented this movie in anticipation of a typical gangster, car chasing movie night. I have been living with the character portrayed by Eli for so long, I had no idea I would then go on to see this person so brilliantly characterized in a movie. I had never even heard of this movie.

actually this movie is a study in narcissistic personality disorder. Everybody seems to have it except Victoria, played by Kim Bassinger, she is the typical naive, girl next door type who is eternally optimistic that she can "save Eli" from himself. I was actually surprised to see such a character included in the film, she could have been left out (Eli never would have noticed). And yes, her character is brilliantly flat, as are the people that the Eli's of this world require them to be.

Almost all aspects of this personality disorder are included, gender confusion, drugs, alcohol, denial of responsibility (but self promotion), the all pervasive, consuming,"dark intense drama" the hob nobing with people of importance, and ultimately the loneliness of it all ... even the secretary can't take it any more, he flees for Seatle where things are "ordinary." I was just getting used to the idea that movies of substance were no longer being made. I spend a lot of time with Turner Movie Classics. It is true, this is not one of those escapist films, but one that will leave you thinking, even watching it again to see if in deed he was the one to leak the truth.

Although I am a New Yorker, you can find these self absorbed, image conscious people anywhere, maybe that neighbor that you just can't figure out.

And I am not in the psychological field