Why Stop Now? (2012)

When a college piano prodigy tries to check his mother into rehab, he is taken hostage by her drug dealer and swept along on a wild adventure.

Directors:

Phil Dorling, Ron Nyswaner

Writers:

Phil Dorling (written for the screen by), Ron Nyswaner (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Eli Bloom
Melissa Leo	...	Penny Bloom
Tracy Morgan	...	Sprinkles
Emma Rayne Lyle	...	Nicole Bloom
Sarah Ramos	...	Chloe
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Black
Stephanie March	...	Trish
Paul Calderon	...	Eduardo
Neal Huff	...	Dave Epstein
Jayce Bartok	...	Nurse Mike
Harper Dill	...	Lucy
Tanya Wright	...	Lisa
Marilyn Berry	...	Charlene
Luna Catarevas	...	Marina
Susan Barnes	...	Jennifer Michaels

Storyline

The story of Eli Smith (Jesse Eisenberg), a piano prodigy, dealing with his troubled mother, Penny (Melissa Leo), and enlisting help from a hapless drug dealer, Sprinkles (Tracy Morgan), on the day he has an audition for a prestigious music program. Events spiral comically out of control as this gang of misfits faces the mistakes of the past, the challenges of the future, and the possibilities of love.

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Plot Keywords:

rehab | drug dealer | prodigy | hostage | pianist | 

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Taglines:

A funny thing happened on the way to rehab.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, and drug content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tracy Morgan uses a cane in this film, although it was made several years before his debilitating accident.

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Goofs

When he's with Chloe after the Revolutionary War re-enactment, the bandages are gone from Eli's right hand, and there is no indication of any injury whatsoever. He's wearing the bandages again, though, at the audition the next day.

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Quotes

Sprinkles: You're a smart little fucka.
Eli: Yeah... I'm smart!

User Reviews

nice acting, story a little contrived

The three lead actors all play to their strengths: Jesse Eisenberg as the gifted prodigy who must overcome his weaknesses, Tracy Morgan as the off-kilter small town drug dealer who succumbed to his, and best, Melissa Leo as a druggie mom trying (and not trying) to keep her self and her family together. The movie kind of has a Weeds meets the Station Agent vibe to it as disparate characters are thrown together and learn to get along. The weakness might be in the writing. Some scenes feel contrived as if to move along the plot, while others are great set pieces. There is a Revolutionary War re-enactors subplot that seems thrown in to give the movie some additional quirkiness (Mr. Black's Miss Muppet line is funny). Tracy Morgan throws in some good ad-libs (when he bumps up against Leo's mom is when the movie starts to hit the mark). Eisenberg can get annoying (or maybe it's just the characters he plays). All in all a good if not great little indie movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

17 August 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Predisposed

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,641, 19 August 2012

Gross USA:

$2,432

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,432

Company Credits

Production Co:

BCDF Pictures, Armian Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1