The Lazarus Project (2008)

A former criminal is drawn into a criminal endeavor and subsequently finds himself living an inexplicable new life working at a psychiatric facility.

Director:

John Glenn (as John Patrick Glenn)

Writers:

John Glenn (screenplay) (as John Patrick Glenn), Evan Astrowsky (story)

Stars:

Paul Walker, Piper Perabo, Brooklynn Proulx

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Walker	...	Ben Garvey
Piper Perabo	...	Lisa Garvey
Brooklynn Proulx	...	Katie Garvey (as Brooklyn Proulx)
Bob Gunton	...	Father Ezra
Lambert Wilson	...	Avery
Linda Cardellini	...	Julie Ingram
Tony Curran	...	William Reeds
Malcolm Goodwin	...	Robbie
Ross McMillan	...	Dr. James
Aaron Hughes	...	Caleb
Sean Skene	...	Orderly
John Callander	...	The Lineman
Shawn Hatosy	...	Ricky Garvey
Alex Sol	...	Phelps
Peter Jordan	...	Male Tech

Storyline

A harrowing and frightening thriller about a man who has everything he's ever loved stripped away from him; and to earn his life and family back, he must face obstacles of mystical origins, endure countless tests of his faith, struggle with his own sanity, and explore the depth and the power of his soul..

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | secret | dallas texas | prison | lethal injection | 

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Taglines:

Some realities have no escape

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, disturbing images and thematic material

Details

Country:

USA Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 2008 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

The Heaven Project

Filming Locations:

Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$9,750,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandeville Films, Inferno Distribution, Be Good Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Throughout the film you can hear the actual movie score from the movie The Skulls which Paul Walker also stars in as Caleb Mandrake.

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Goofs

During the interview after Ben is told he is a patient, a boom mic dips over his head.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Katie Garvey: Daddy, what's the greatest thing you ever saw?
Ben Garvey: Greatest thing you ever saw. Umm. One time when I was a little boy, I was playing with my slingshot and I saw this Jaybird. I don't know why but I shot him.
Katie Garvey: You killed a birdie?
Ben Garvey: I didn't mean to. I don't even know why I shot at him, but I felt so bad, I started praying to God that he would come back. And all of a sudden the Jaybird woke up. He just flew away.
Katie Garvey: God saved him?
Ben Garvey: Yeah, I think so.

User Reviews

Lazarus of Oregon.

The Lazarus Project is directed by John Patrick Glen, who also co-writes the screenplay with Evan Astrowsky. It stars Paul Walker, Linda Cardellini, Piper Perabo, Bob Gunton, Malcolm Goodwin and Tony Curran. Music is by Brian Tyler and cinematography by Jerzy Zielinski.

A reformed criminal out on parole is beset by bad luck and finds himself sentenced to die by lethal injection. Strange then that once the lethal dose is administered, he wakes up working as a grounds-keeper at a psychiatric hospital…

John Glen's first directing assignment is very much a mixed bag, but if landing in the DVD/Blu-ray players of the right audience it could well gain some momentum in the wake of Walker's untimely death.

It's one of those films that operates at a funereal pace and thrives on other worldly atmosphere. After the introductions to the main character and his psychological make-up is out the way, pic shifts into a realm where we, as well as Walker's character, are never sure what is real or what is going on. Is he in some afterlife place? Is it all in his head? A dream? Drug induced? And etc. One of the smart things about the movie is that it binds the audience to the mystery by asking us to fill in the gaps with our own logic. While crucially the reveal comes at the right time so as to give us viewers the opportunity to re-evaluate the various quandaries that the piece has thrown up.

For those who like films like Jacob's Ladder, Shutter Island, The Jacket et al, then this has to be at the very least of interest, to warrant the chance to sell itself to those particular sub-genre fans, besides which, it also shows a string to Walker's acting bow that was rarely tapped into by other directors. And it's beautifully shot by Zielinski too. Contemplative, intriguing and even chilling as regards the various themes it deals with, this Lazarus deserves its own second coming. 7/10