The Adderall Diaries (2015)

Elliot, a troubled former successful writer decides to write about a missing wife and the following murder trial of her husband.

Director:

Pamela Romanowsky

Writers:

Pamela Romanowsky, Stephen Elliott (based on the book by)

Stars:

James Franco, Ed Harris, Amber Heard

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Franco	...	Stephen Elliott
Ed Harris	...	Neil Elliott
Amber Heard	...	Lana Edmond
Jim Parrack	...	Roger
Timothée Chalamet	...	Teenage Stephen
Danny Flaherty	...	Teenage Roger
Christian Slater	...	Hans Reiser
Cynthia Nixon	...	Jen Davis
Elizabeth Hobgood	...	Kathleen
Tamzin Brown	...	Miranda
Rochelle Bostrom	...	Amanda
Laura Frost	...	Nina Reiser
Jake Katzman	...	Cori Resier
Adam LeFevre	...	Bill DuBois
Michael Cristofer	...	Paul Hora

Storyline

As a writer stymied by past success, writers block, substance abuse, relationship problems and a serious set of father issues, Elliott's cracked-out chronicle of a bizarre murder trial amounts to less than the sum of its parts. Not long into the 2007 trial of programmer Hans Reiser, accused of murdering his wife, the defendant's friend Sean Sturgeon obliquely confessed to several murders (though not the murder of Reiser's wife). Elliott, caught up in the film-ready twist and his tenuous connection to Sturgeon (they share a BDSM social circle), makes a record of the proceedings. The result is a scattered, self-indulgent romp through the mind of a depressive narcissist obsessed with his insecurities and childhood traumas.

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | written by director | title directed by female | home movie | younger version of character | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, drug use, sexuality, and some aberrant and disturbing content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

True Deception

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,517, 17 April 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$11,287, 24 April 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

RabbitBandini Productions,Windowseat Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second film James Franco has starred in that was released by A24, his first one was (Spring Breakers)

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Quotes

[last lines]
Stephen Elliott: You remember when you taught me to drive? I was 14. You let me drive out to Warren park in a '69 mustang. I loved that car. You used to take me out, let me drive. I remember feelin' so happy and free, full of hope and potential.
Neil Elliott: I don't know why you always told people I taught you to drive in the mustang. It was a red 1968 Oldsmobile Delmont convertible, in Warren park in the parkin' lot. You were belligerent, and you were a terrible driver. So we only did it once.
Stephen Elliott: Wanna go for a ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Half in the Bag: 2016 Movie Catch-up (2016)

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Soundtracks

Expedition
Written by Tom Hirschmann
Published by Hatton Road Music
Performed by Tom Hirschmann
Courtesy of Selectracks, Inc.

User Reviews

An introspective and revelatory journey

This film tells the story of a young writer who wrote a book about his troubled relationship with his father, and the abuse he had to endure over the years. The sudden appearance of his father in the book launch party raises doubts on his claims in the book.

The story is good because it draws viewers in to both sides of the coin. Initially I am so convinced that Stephen is the victim, yet as the story unfolds we get to know how things may not be as it seems. The revelation that memories can be distorted, but we never question our own memories is quite a strong argument, and many of us can relate to that. It is an introspective and revelatory journey for Stephen, but I can relate to it as well.