The Californians (2005)

Slick, smug developer Gavin Ransom has a dream: make millions by blanketing the coastal hills of northern California with flamboyant, mini mansions. His sister Olive a raving ... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Parker

Writers:

Jonathan Parker, Catherine DiNapoli

Stars:

Noah Wyle, Illeana Douglas, Kate Mara

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Noah Wyle	...	Gavin Ransom
Illeana Douglas	...	Olive Ransom
Kate Mara	...	Zoe Tripp
Cloris Leachman	...	Eileen Boatwright
Joanne Whalley	...	Luna
Keith Carradine	...	Elton Tripp
Valerie Perrine	...	Lenora Tripp
Jane Lynch	...	Sybill Platt
Michael Panes	...	Marion Pardon
Erika Luckett	...	Mary Ann
Will Marchetti	...	Mayor
Charles Martinet	...	City Councilman
Richard Gross	...	Contractor
Jarion Monroe	...	Architect
Elisabeth Nunziato	...	Real Estate Broker

Storyline

Slick, smug developer Gavin Ransom has a dream: make millions by blanketing the coastal hills of northern California with flamboyant, mini mansions. His sister Olive a raving environmentalist, thinks otherwise, and aims to stop her brother's land gobbling plans. When Zoe Tripp a striking beautiful folk singer, joins Olive's cause, Gavin gets thrown for a loop, falling hard for the striking young woman with the golden voice. Caught between Olive's righteousness and Gavin's affection, the idealistic and innocent Zoe, coached by her parents and a maternal environmentalist must choose between a cause she's grown up supporting, or the affections of a man who stands for everything she believes is wrong.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | 

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Taglines:

All is fair in love and real estate.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

A kaliforniaiak

Filming Locations:

Kentfield, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parker Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Activist: Gavin Ransom, when will you stop cutting down trees?
Gavin Ransom: When people stop living in houses.

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Connections

Remake of The Bostonians (1984)

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Soundtracks

I Don't Know Why
Piano Played by Seth Asarnow
Recorded at Laughing Tiger Studios by Andrew Keating
Song Tracks Produced And Mixed By Craig Carothers

User Reviews

quiet gem

This is a film that fails greatness by a stretch, but is still better than most of the trite by-the-numbers crud churned out by Hollywood for the Spike TV crowd these days. "The Californians" features a few genuinely funny moments and some quietly competent acting by a fine cast. Just when you think you have it pegged as an "ecofreak" movie or a satire on hippy-dippy California culture or a send-up of greedy and insatiable developers, it makes a sharp turn into something else. I have a sneaking sympathy for films that violate expectations and refuse to be pinned down. No easy answers; no car chases; no Star Turns -- can you deal with it?