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IMDbPro

The Words

  • 2012
  • PG-13
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
80K
YOUR RATING
Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in The Words (2012)
The Words - exclusive trailer
Play trailer1:03
25 Videos
41 Photos
DramaMysteryRomance

A writer at the peak of his literary success discovers the steep price he must pay for stealing another man's work.A writer at the peak of his literary success discovers the steep price he must pay for stealing another man's work.A writer at the peak of his literary success discovers the steep price he must pay for stealing another man's work.

  • Directors
    • Brian Klugman
    • Lee Sternthal
  • Writers
    • Brian Klugman
    • Lee Sternthal
  • Stars
    • Bradley Cooper
    • Dennis Quaid
    • Olivia Wilde
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    80K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Brian Klugman
      • Lee Sternthal
    • Writers
      • Brian Klugman
      • Lee Sternthal
    • Stars
      • Bradley Cooper
      • Dennis Quaid
      • Olivia Wilde
    • 184User reviews
    • 220Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos25

    Exclusive
    Trailer 1:03
    Watch Exclusive
    No. 1
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch No. 1
    The Words
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch The Words
    The Words: I Think It's Old
    Clip 1:09
    Watch The Words: I Think It's Old
    The Words: I Gotta Pay My Dues
    Clip 1:42
    Watch The Words: I Gotta Pay My Dues
    The Words: It Was The Perfect Relationship
    Clip 1:30
    Watch The Words: It Was The Perfect Relationship
    The Words: Do You Want To Hear My Story?
    Clip 1:36
    Watch The Words: Do You Want To Hear My Story?
    The Words: Just Gotta Finish This
    Clip 1:20
    Watch The Words: Just Gotta Finish This
    The Words: The Words Poured Out Of Him
    Clip 0:40
    Watch The Words: The Words Poured Out Of Him
    The Words: I Worked Very Hard On It
    Clip 1:33
    Watch The Words: I Worked Very Hard On It
    Words Assocation
    Featurette 0:58
    Watch Words Assocation
    "The Young Man & Celia"
    Featurette 1:15
    Watch "The Young Man & Celia"

    Photos41

    Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in The Words (2012)
    Ben Barnes and Nora Arnezeder in The Words (2012)
    Bradley Cooper in The Words (2012)
    Ben Barnes and Nora Arnezeder in The Words (2012)
    Dennis Quaid in The Words (2012)
    Ben Barnes and Nora Arnezeder in The Words (2012)
    Ben Barnes and Nora Arnezeder in The Words (2012)
    Olivia Wilde in The Words (2012)
    Bradley Cooper in The Words (2012)
    Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in The Words (2012)
    Jeremy Irons and Bradley Cooper in The Words (2012)
    Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in The Words (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bradley Cooper
    Bradley Cooper
    • Rory Jansen
    Dennis Quaid
    Dennis Quaid
    • Clay Hammond
    Olivia Wilde
    Olivia Wilde
    • Daniella
    Zoe Saldana
    Zoe Saldana
    • Dora Jansen
    • (as Zoë Saldana)
    John Hannah
    John Hannah
    • Richard Ford
    Jeremy Irons
    Jeremy Irons
    • The Old Man
    Vito DeFilippo
    • New York Apartment Doorman
    • (as Vito De Filippo)
    Michael McKean
    Michael McKean
    • Nelson Wylie
    Lucinda Davis
    Lucinda Davis
    • Vendor
    J.K. Simmons
    J.K. Simmons
    • Mr. Jansen
    James Babson
    James Babson
    • Dan Zuckerman
    Kevin Desfosses
    Kevin Desfosses
    • Rory's Assistant
    • (as Kevin Desfossés)
    Ron Rifkin
    Ron Rifkin
    • Timothy Epstein
    Brian Klugman
    Brian Klugman
    • Jason Rosen
    Liz Stauber
    Liz Stauber
    • Camy Rosen
    • (as Elizabeth Stauber)
    Ben Barnes
    Ben Barnes
    • Young Man
    Nora Arnezeder
    Nora Arnezeder
    • Celia
    Gianpaolo Venuta
    Gianpaolo Venuta
    • Dave Farber
    • Directors
      • Brian Klugman
      • Lee Sternthal
    • Writers
      • Brian Klugman
      • Lee Sternthal
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    7.8
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    5.4
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Lee Sternthal and Brian Klugman wrote the script back in 1999. As friends of Bradley Cooper before his The Hangover (2009) fame, they ask him to play the lead, he accepted then, and kept his word more than ten years later.
    • Goofs
      In two different New York scenes we can see trucks from Canada Post.
    • Quotes

      The Old Man: We all make our choices in life, the hard thing to do is live with them.

    • Alternate versions
      The US theatrical version was slightly censored for a PG-13 rating, removing several instances of strong language, and re-edited for shorter running time of 97 minutes. The US Blu-ray and DVD contain a 102 minute extended cut that restores these alterations, and several international theatrical releases (such as the UK), are based on this version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.132 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      La Marseillaise
      Written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

      Performed by Ben Barnes

    User reviews184

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Intelligently Filmed Story within a Story within a Story
    While subdued and a little slow-moving, THE WORDS is a good--and not too heavy-handed--modern morality tale of how one serious act of dishonesty irreversibly affects a writer's entire life and career. The fact that his act would be difficult to ever prove or prosecute only makes things worse in many ways for Rory Jansen. The various additional elements of suspense and romance help to create a unique combination.

    Interesting plot-structure: No huge twists or surprises, but everything fits together with slow, subtle tension. The acting ranges from tepid to quite good. Various details are also important; it might be a good idea, for example, to freeze-frame and read the rejection letters that Rory Jansen receives toward the beginning. A lot of people apparently don't like the way THE WORDS ends, but I sure do. Along with "the old man"'s embedded tale, the conversations between best-selling author Clay Hammond and fan/aspiring author Daniella are easily the most engaging aspects of this film.

    Anyone with interests in fiction writing, the publishing industry, and/or related subjects will probably find THE WORDS a compelling enough film; those without such interests, however, may find it pretty dull. Even for the latter folks, I would also recommend SHATTERED GLASS (2004), starring Hayden Christensen, which has a similar conflict, a faster pace, and generally better acting.
    helpful•22
    5
    • doug_park2001
    • Apr 18, 2013

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    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Unrated Extended Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 7, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Palabras robadas
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Also Known As Pictures
      • Benaroya Pictures
      • Animus Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,494,838
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,750,894
      • Sep 9, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,950,164
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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