Richard Madden shares why this was the role for him, and what he swiped from the "Game of Thrones" set.
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Title: The Dying Gaul (2005)
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| Cast overview: | |||
| Patricia Clarkson | ... | Elaine | |
| Campbell Scott | ... | Jeffrey | |
| Peter Sarsgaard | ... | Robert | |
 |
Ryan Miller | ... | Max |
|
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Faith Jefferies | ... | Debbon |
| Robin Bartlett | ... | Bella | |
| Ebon Moss-Bachrach | ... | Olaf | |
| Kelli O'Hara | ... | Liz | |
|
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Dee Dee Flores | ... | Emad |
| Elizabeth Marvel | ... | Kelli | |
| Don Johanson | ... | Male Guest | |
| Bill Camp | ... | Malcolm | |
| Linda Emond | ... | Dr. Foss | |
The gay screenwriter Robert, who is grieving the recent loss of his lover, writes a screenplay based on his biography and tries to sell it to the Hollywood producer Jeffrey. He offers one million dollars for his work, provided changes in the story replacing the dying man per a woman to make a commercial film. Jeffrey shows the screenplay to his wife Elaine, who loves to write and to plant flowers, and she is also delighted with the story. Robert works introducing the required modifications and Jeffrey, who is bisexual, has an affair with him. Meanwhile Elaine finds the gay website where Robert writes and she creates a fake profile to have conversation with him pretending that she is his deceased lover. Soon she learns the affair of her husband and she decides to leave him. But when the gay Robert discovers the truth, he has a breakdown and takes vengeance for Elaine with tragic consequences. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Mr. Lucas directed a very cinematic version of his stage play, and assembled an outstanding cast. Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott and particularly Patricia Clarkson, give layered, complex, award-worthy performances.
This film reminds me of another along the same genre, American Beauty, which also examined difficult and complex relationships, and attempted to do so with both humor and pathos.
Because this film is part thriller, part black comedy, part searing emotional drama, it had me going on many levels.
Again, Patricia Clarkson should be praised highly for her ability to make the reactions of her character so real! I have not always been a Craig Lucas fan, as I sometimes find his work to be a bit preachy (Prelude to a Kiss), but with this film, and his obvious director's eye, I look forward to his next effort.