Love Liza (2002)

Following the unexplained suicide of his wife Liza, a web designer turns to gasoline fumes and remote-control airplanes while avoiding an inevitable conflict with his mother-in-law.

Director:

Todd Louiso

Writer:

Gordy Hoffman (screenplay)

Stars:

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Annie Morgan, Kathy Bates

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Wilson Joel
J.D. Walsh	...	Bern (as JD Walsh)
Jimmy Raskin	...	Pad
Kathy Bates	...	Mary Ann Bankhead
Erika Alexander	...	Brenda
Sarah Koskoff	...	Maura
Mark Hannibal	...	Waiter with Drink
Jim Wise	...	Bland Man
Trace Turville	...	Bland Woman
Wayne Duvall	...	Gas Station
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Tom Bailey
Kevin Breznahan	...	Jim
Jennifer Keddy	...	Lynne
David Lenthall	...	Hobbytown USA Clerk (as David Lenthal)
Jack Kehler	...	Denny

Storyline

Wilson Joel is a man in trouble. There's a searing pain in his gut that he can't tolerate and a dazed quietness to his struggle as he tries to maintain his equilibrium. Wilson is attempting to move on from the sudden and inexplicable suicide of his wife. His mother-in-law is there for him, but her sympathies turn quickly. He has an employer that seems to want to help him, and a workmate who wants him for herself. But nothing and no one can give Wilson solace; so, he seeks oblivion. It is not the usual alcohol or drugs. Wilson inhales fumes from gasoline cans and model airplane fuel and finds temporary salvation in the company of remote-control model enthusiasts. However, nothing that provides him relief really lasts.

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Plot Keywords:

downward spiral | gasoline | suicide | model airplane | remote control airplane | 

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Taglines:

A Comic Tragedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official website [United States]

Country:

France Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

Con amor, Liza

Filming Locations:

Audubon Zoo - 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,522, 5 January 2003

Gross USA:

$213,137

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$223,426

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kinowelt Filmproduktion, Wild Bunch, StudioCanal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are two scenes when Wilson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to get into his mother-in-law's (Kathy Bates) house, he is screaming and rattling the bars on the outside of the house, as if he is imprisoned. This represents the cage of grief, how inescapable grief is.

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Quotes

Model Boat Man: HEY! There's no swimming today!
Wilson Joel: Do you know who I am?
[pause]
Wilson Joel: I am a big fan of Radio Control!

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Crazy Credits

SPECIAL THANKS TO Melissa Morgan's Parents and Family

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Connections

Referenced in Better Call Saul: Lantern (2017)

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Soundtracks

Corpus Christi Carol
Written by Benjamin Britten
Performed by Jeff Buckley
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Benjamin Britten Corpus Christi Carol © 1961 by the Britten Estate Limited
All publishing rights exercised worldwide by Oxford Univesity Press
Used by Permission
All Rights Reserved

User Reviews

Unremittingly Grim

Before you watch this film you must ask yourself, how depressed am I? There is not a bright light in this film anywhere. If you are already on the edge and don't want to go over, I would not recommend watching this film.

That said, Phillip Seymour Hoffman gave an Oscar-worthy performance. He was completely terrific and should have won the Oscar for this film. Kathy Bates was great too. Everyone was great. The story was believable and well scripted.

But, unless you enjoy slumming in depression, I would forgo watching this film. There are too many other films that offer even the smallest ray of positivity to spend your time on this one. A tiny smile generated from a film is, in my humble opinion, better than being left looking for the razor blades.

I gave it a 7 because of the craftsmanship exhibited by the actors and filmmakers. If I had to give it a rating on how it made me feel afterward, I'd probably have to give it a 1.