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

Cast overview:
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

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

bare breasts | child | hollywood | sex | screenplay | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$342,297, 22 January 2006

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

Linda Emond, who plays Dr. Foss, originated the role of Elaine Tishop in the stage play.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

References The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

User Reviews

Darkest Dark Or Maybe Darker

Hollywood is always a sinister setting, even for a comedy and "The Dying Gaul" is no exception. I don't intend to divulge the ins and outs of the story because that should be your job, but I feel compelled to talk about it because it kind of stacked all over me like some kind of alien jelly. I always loved Campbell Scott and I suspect I always will. He plays the devil - The "I'll give you a million bucks if you abandon completely yourself, your principles, your loyalties" - kind of devil - He is married to the splendid Patricia Clarkson ( part Meryl Streep part Wayland Flower's Madame) and the object of his temptation is Peter Sarsgaard, one of the best creepiest actors ever to appear on film. It may be a personal thing but he gives me the willies. The film is an uncomfortable journey through a strangely familiar landscape that becomes darker and darker. I will take my chances and recommend it.