The Dying Gaul (2005)

A grief-stricken screenwriter unknowingly enters a three-way relationship with a woman and her film executive husband - to chilling results.

Director:

Craig Lucas

Writer:

Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Patricia Clarkson	...	Elaine
Campbell Scott	...	Jeffrey
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Robert
Ryan Miller	...	Max
Faith Jefferies	...	Debbon
Robin Bartlett	...	Bella
Ebon Moss-Bachrach	...	Olaf
Kelli O'Hara	...	Liz
Dee Dee Flores	...	Emad
Elizabeth Marvel	...	Kelli
Don Johanson	...	Male Guest
Bill Camp	...	Malcolm
Linda Emond	...	Dr. Foss
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael John	...	Executive Producer

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

bare breasts | child | hollywood | sex | screenplay | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Holedigger Studios

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kuoleva gallialainen

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,944, 6 November 2005

Gross USA:

$342,747

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$345,041

Company Credits

Production Co:

Holedigger Films, Rebel Park Pictures, Twopoundbad

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 95 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is dedicated to writer/director Craig Lucas's best friend, playwright Tony Kushner.

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Quotes

[as he hugs Robert]
Jeffrey: You are very handsome. And I'm getting a little turned on. Are you?

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Connections

References Philadelphia (1993)

User Reviews

Say It Isn't So

I would be hard pressed to name a trio of actors that I could be more excited to see than the stars of his film. Been rooting for Clarkson for years; we all know Sarsgaard is Oscar material in the years to come; Scott is (to me) even better than his dad. So I was waiting for this, via Craig Lucas, for a long time.

My cousin had warned me (we are both gay) that the play delivered a memorable first half (in a positive way) and just as memorable second half (in how bad it was). Clearly the screenplay did nothing to change this, alas.

The three leads were, no surprise, just excellent, and seeing them was well worth the time and cost. Oh PeterS, get back to work we need more of you! But dear Mr Lucas, when characters behave in ways that show no logic, it feels like a cheat.

Fascinating idea, beautiful setting, some splendid dialogue and then disaster sets. I say "6" and wish everyone involved great success in the years to come.