Prime (2005)

A career driven professional from Manhattan is wooed by a young painter, who also happens to be the son of her psychoanalyst.

Director:

Ben Younger

Writer:

Ben Younger

Stars:

Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep, Bryan Greenberg

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Uma Thurman	...	Rafi Gardet
Meryl Streep	...	Lisa Metzger
Bryan Greenberg	...	David Bloomberg
Jon Abrahams	...	Morris
Adriana Biasi	...	Bay Ridge Blonde
David Younger	...	Brother #1
Palmer Brown	...	Brother #2
Zak Orth	...	Randall
Annie Parisse	...	Katherine
Aubrey Dollar	...	Michelle
Jerry Adler	...	Sam
Doris Belack	...	Blanche
Ato Essandoh	...	Damien
David Anzuelo	...	Bodega Counterman
Naomi Aborn	...	Dinah Bloomberg

Storyline

In colorful, bustling modern-day Manhattan, Rafi Gardet, a beautiful 37-year-old photography producer reeling from a recent divorce, meets David Bloomberg, a handsome 23-year-old painter recently out of college. Rafi's therapist, Dr. Lisa Metzger, who is working to help Rafi overcome her fears of intimacy, finds out that Rafi's new lover is--unfortunately for Lisa--her only son, David. Both David and Rafi must contend with their 14-year age gap, vastly different backgrounds and the demands of David's traditional mother. Despite their intense attraction, the charmed couple soon realizes that vastly different ages and backgrounds create much conflict. A Jewish hip-hop lover and closet painter who still lives with his grandparents, David has little in common with Rafi--a non-practicing Catholic from a wealthy, broken family who travels in the sophisticated, high-end world of fashion.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | therapist client relationship | older woman younger man relationship | mother son relationship | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

A therapeutic new comedy.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for sexual content including dialogue, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rafi is 37 years old; Dave is 23. This may be a joke on the movie's title, as 37 and 23 are both prime numbers (i.e., numbers that are divisible only by themselves and by 1).

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Goofs

Giorgio Armani in the special thanks in the end credits is spelt Georgio.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lisa Metzger: Oh, I'm sorry. It's so hot in here, and I can't figure this stupid thing!

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Connections

Referenced in 500 Questions: Episode #2.1 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Paris
Written and Performed by Ryan Shore

User Reviews

Not for all tastes, but an intelligent, well-acted comedy-drama

A woefully underrated and probably under-appreciated film, PRIME was one of the great surprises of 2005 for me. This smartly written comedy-drama stars the divine Meryl Streep as Dr. Lisa Metzger, a Jewish psychiatrist who one day must deal with the fact that one of her patients (Uma Thurman), a 37- year old divorcée, is dating her 23 year old son. This film didn't do great business at the box office and I have a feeling it might have been because the film is not filled with belly-laughs; however, it did have me smiling from start to finish. If for no other reason, the film is worth seeing for a beautifully understated performance by Master Thespian Streep. In the hands of an ordinary actress, the role of a Jewish mother and psychiatrist could have become very slapsticky and over the top but Streep keeps a tight rein on the character, never allowing her to become a stereotype. Streep never resorts to mugging or cheap theatrics but can say more with a furtive look or a turn of the head than most actresses can do with 20 pages of dialogue. Watch her in the scene where you see it dawning on Lisa that her patient is dating her son, an average actress could have made this seem so silly, but Streep so beautifully internalizes Lisa's shock and disbelief at what she learns, it's a delight to watch and should be required viewing for all acting students. Uma Thurman turns in what I believe is the best performance of her career, a full-bodied performance as an independent career woman on the outside whose interior struggles keep her a mess and hunky Bryan Greenburg shows definite leading man potential as son and lover David. This movie was a delightful surprise from first time writer-director Ben Younger who seems to have a promising grasp on the concept of romantic comedy. A quiet, well-acted, stylish, and sexy comedy that will keep a smile on your face.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Russia] Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prime

Filming Locations:

Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,220,935, 30 October 2005

Gross USA:

$22,827,153

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$67,937,494

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prime Film Productions LLC, Stratus Film Co., Team Todd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1