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Love Liza

  • 20022002
  • RR
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Love Liza (2002)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
Play trailer2:12
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Todd Louiso
  • Writer
    • Gordy Hoffman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Annie Morgan
    • Kathy Bates
Top credits
  • Director
    • Todd Louiso
  • Writer
    • Gordy Hoffman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Annie Morgan
    • Kathy Bates
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 101User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos3

    Love Liza
    Trailer 2:12
    Love Liza
    Love Liza
    Trailer 2:07
    Love Liza
    Love Liza
    Trailer 2:23
    Love Liza

    Photos104

    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sarah Koskoff in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman and Kathy Bates in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Kehler in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza (2002)
    Kathy Bates in Love Liza (2002)
    Kathy Bates in Love Liza (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Wilson Joelas Wilson Joel
    Annie Morgan
    Annie Morgan
    • Lizaas Liza
    Kathy Bates
    Kathy Bates
    • Mary Ann Bankheadas Mary Ann Bankhead
    J.D. Walsh
    J.D. Walsh
    • Bernas Bern
    Jimmy Raskin
    • Padas Pad
    Erika Alexander
    Erika Alexander
    • Brendaas Brenda
    Sarah Koskoff
    Sarah Koskoff
    • Mauraas Maura
    Mark Hannibal
    • Waiter with Drinkas Waiter with Drink
    Jim Wise
    Jim Wise
    • Bland Manas Bland Man
    Trace Turville
    • Bland Womanas Bland Woman
    Wayne Duvall
    Wayne Duvall
    • Gas Stationas Gas Station
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    • Tom Baileyas Tom Bailey
    Kevin Breznahan
    Kevin Breznahan
    • Jimas Jim
    Jennifer Keddy
    • Lynneas Lynne
    David Lenthall
    • Hobbytown USA Clerkas Hobbytown USA Clerk
    • (as David Lenthal)
    Jack Kehler
    Jack Kehler
    • Dennyas Denny
    Pauline Boyd
    • Zooas Zoo
    Ernest Perry Jr.
    • Truckeras Trucker
    • Director
      • Todd Louiso
    • Writer
      • Gordy Hoffman(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Sujit R. Varma
    • suicide of wife
    • downward spiral
    • crying man
    • man wears underwear
    • gasoline
    • 139 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A Comic Tragedy
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for drug use, language and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • 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!

    • Crazy credits
      SPECIAL THANKS TO Melissa Morgan's Parents and Family
    • Connections
      Referenced in High Chaparall: Robert Englund (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Movie On The Way Down
      Written and Performed by Jim O'Rourke

      © 1999 Field Code Music (BMI)

      Courtesy of Drag City

    User reviews101

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Bereft
    One never knows how grief will affect anyone. The loss of a loved one is something no one is prepared for. When tragedy strikes, as it's the point of this film, the surviving spouse is so desolate that he cannot deal with his loss. That is why Wilson, the grieving husband of Liza goes to the deep end trying to cope with her untimely death.

    Liza's death is not spoken of until Wilson receives a telephone call from the local newspaper editor that is trying to write an obituary about her death and asks whether he wants to mention the suicide, or not. We get a clue about what happened to Liza when Wilson goes to the garage and sees her car. This is a link, perhaps, as to why he resorts to sniffing gasoline, as a way to obliterate the tragedy from his mind, as Wilson tries to comprehend what could have motivated her suicide.

    "Love Liza" is a different kind of film. It will irritate some viewers, but ultimately, it will reward those that stay with the story. The screen play written by Gordy Hoffman could have used some editing, but his story feels real. Todd Luiso directed with conviction.

    The film's main character, Wilson, is brilliantly played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, one actor who is always a pleasure to watch for the intensity he brings to his appearances. In fact, his Wilson is one of the best roles he has played. Kathy Bates, on the other hand, as the mother of the dead Liza, is only seen briefly, but her scenes convey the impression how this woman is suffering as she seeks answers about her daughter's untimely departure. Sarah Koskoff, Stephen Tobolowsky and Jack Kehler, especially, make good contributions to the film.

    This film is a must for Phillip Seymour Hoffman's fans.
    helpful•31
    1
    • jotix100
    • Dec 1, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 31, 2003 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Germany
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official website (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Con amor, Liza
    • Filming locations
      • Audubon Zoo - 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Starhaus Filmproduktion
      • Wild Bunch
      • StudioCanal
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $213,137
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,522
      • Jan 5, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $223,426
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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