Purple Violets (2007)

Patti Petalson (Blair) struggles with the pressure of becoming the next important American writer.

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer:

Edward Burns

Stars:

Annette Arnold, Max Baker, Selma Blair

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Annette Arnold	...	Annette - Bookstore Fan
Max Baker	...	Mark - Nature Writer
Selma Blair	...	Patti Petalson
James Biberi	...	Elevator Operator
Edward Burns	...	Michael Murphy
Dara Coleman	...	Silent Movie Actor
Rosemarie DeWitt	...	Murph's Hampton's Fling
Dennis Farina	...	Glen Gilmore
Spencer Fox	...	High School Kid #2
Heather Goldenhersh	...	Sassy Party-Goer
Bill Hader	...	Bill - Bookstore Fan
Sarah Hudnut Brody	...	Scare-a Sara (as Sarah Hudnut)
Peter Jacobson	...	Monroe
Donal Logue	...	Chazz Coleman
Debra Messing	...	Kate Scott

Storyline

In New York City, thirty-three year old Patti Petalson is unhappy with her life. Her passion is literature, she having published one book of short stories ten years ago, but not having written anything since. Instead to earn a living, she sells real estate, a job and for a boss she hates. And although unspoken, she hates her husband, self-absorbed restaurateur Chazz Coleman, who doesn't listen to her and does whatever he wants regardless of her. While out for dinner, Patti and her BFF, schoolteacher Kate Scott, run into Brian Callahan and Michael Murphy, who were once Patti and Kate's respective boyfriends, the four who used to do everything together while they were in college, with both relationships ending twelve years ago as they were graduating. Kate has never forgiven self-described lowbrow Murph, now a successful lawyer despite his lack of academic smarts, for what she believed was a sexual indiscretion, while Murph outwardly just wants the opportunity to apologize. However, ...

---

Plot Keywords:

written and directed by cast member | directed by star | 

---

Taglines:

A second chance for a first love.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Purple Violets" became the first feature film to premiere exclusively on iTunes.

---

Goofs

When Edward Burns' character, Michael is eating pizza during one of the montages, he's wearing his wedding ring. Burns probably forgot to take it off before shooting the scene.

---

Quotes

Michael Murphy: There are no second acts.

---

Connections

References Spider-Man 2 (2004)

---

Soundtracks

Caught by the River
by Doves

User Reviews

Purple Violets Is A Nice Addition to the Burns Collection

I have to say, I liked "Brother's McMullen" and "She's The One" when they came out and find them to be in the same New York Tradition as a lot of the other dying breed of New York Romance genre films. I also enjoyed that I could download it via iTunes instead of having to make a day of it to see it at one of the few theaters that still shows independent movies.

Although not his best work, I think Purple Violets is still a laudable addition to Burns filmography.

In regards to the comments by Micheal C., I think he must have recently gotten a parking ticket, or woke up in bumper to bumper traffic because clearly he isn't seeing the same film as others. As far as the story not making any sense...what in particular didn't make any sense? In one story line you have a woman who is dealing with a husband who is increasingly unavailable and dealing with emotions from a love of her past.

In another storyline you have an alcoholic lawyer who is making amends with his past, and maybe hoping that in addition to forgiveness he can find his way back into the heart of the love of his life. You may think that the story is unrealistic, a skeptic or jaded person might even find the whole romantic aspect to it dated, but it hardly is nonsensical.

As far as Characters being obnoxious and performers overacting, and script rife with clichés? This comment writer must have been watching the latest iteration of Peter Pan or Tarzan, but certainly not this movie. Ed Burns himself cannot be considered an over actor. If anything he is usually more cognitive than emotive. I think that all the players, save Messing, stay well within acceptable norms of behavior in regards to "overacting." The only character I found to be uniformly obnoxious is Donal Logue, who played Blair's British husband, and he was supposed to be obnoxious. Interesting note: I have only seen my sister's husband who is a chef cook once and I have eaten with them many times. The last thing they want to do when home is cook anymore. Finally as far as cliché goes, each romantic movie is going to have a bit of cliché in it. But there is always the aspect of character to make it at least something to follow and get into, and I think the characters in this movie offer that, and in fresh new ways. Besides, you really can't have it both ways, either a script makes no sense (not cliché) or is predictable (cliche) you can't have it both ways. I think the film balances some age old romantic plot devices with some new fresh commentary on various aspects of modern life.

As far as it being the worst movie the writer had seen all year, the comment writer must not get out much. I have seen many worse movies over the span of the year. Some I have forgotten, others I wish I could forget.

I don't think the writer of said comments actually watched the movie and seemed more annoyed by small aspects of it. For instance, his wife does not catch him masturbating to internet porn, but to 900 numbers. And although one can be annoyed at people with money carping about unhappiness, it does happen. Money does not make problems go away.

Hate to say this, but not all writers sit around and bat witticisms to one another while sipping Manhattans, and I bet there are many lawyers who don't get that much into their clients business. Finally, it is a movie, if you wanted it to be a true life biography about a writer watch Faulkner week on the history channel.

That being said, it takes all kinds.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 2009 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Purple Violets

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$126,897

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wild Ocean Films, Lucky Day Pictures, Marlboro Road Gang Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1