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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

---

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 ...
[...]

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

El Tecolete
Written by Marcel Frank
Published by Thomas J. Valentino, Inc.
Performed by Marcel Frank
Courtesy of Selectracks, Inc.

User Reviews

Great acting and casting really makes this movie better than it could have been. Worth a rent

"A father does what he has to do to protect his children." Stephen Elliott (Franco) is a successful writer who is going through a bout of writers block. He begins to find inspiration in a court case involving the murder of a woman by her husband. The trial begins to drag up painful memories of his own past and living with his father Neil (Harris). When Neil once again shows up Stephen begins to spiral and it effects every aspect of his life. This is a strange movie. The acting is great, as expected but the idea is a little generic and overused. The thing that really keeps the movie from being too cookie cutter are the actors. Franco does a great job playing the tortured soul, Heard is great as the confused girlfriend and Harris, as always, steals the movie and plays his part so perfect that you aren't sure if he is really as bad as Elliott portrays him. All that said this is a a decent movie but nothing to rush and see. Overall, great acting and casting really makes this movie better than it could have been. Worth a rent. I give this a B-.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish 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

Gross USA:

$13,191

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,364

Company Credits

Production Co:

RabbitBandini Productions, Windowseat Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1