The Immigrant (2013)

1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.

Director:

James Gray

Writers:

James Gray, Ric Menello (as Richard Menello)

Stars:

Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner

15 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marion Cotillard	...	Ewa Cybulska
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Bruno Weiss
Jeremy Renner	...	Orlando the Magician / Emil
Dagmara Dominczyk	...	Belva
Jicky Schnee	...	Clara
Elena Solovey	...	Rosie Hertz (as Yelena Solovey)
Maja Wampuszyc	...	Edyta Bistricky
Ilia Volok	...	Wojtek Bistricky
Angela Sarafyan	...	Magda Cybulska
Antoni Corone	...	Customs Officer Thomas MacNally
Patrick Husted	...	Priest
Patrick Holden O'Neill	...	Leo Straub (as Patrick O'Neill)
Sam Tsoutsouvas	...	Oskar Straub
Robert Clohessy	...	Immigration Official
Adam Rothenberg	...	Officer DeKeiffer

Storyline

1921. In search of a new start and the American dream, Ewa Cybulska and her sister Magda sail to New York from their native Poland. When they reach Ellis Island, doctors discover that Magda is ill, and the two women are separated. Ewa is released onto the mean streets of Manhattan while her sister is quarantined. Alone, with nowhere to turn and desperate to reunite with Magda, she quickly falls prey to Bruno, a charming but wicked man who takes her in and forces her into prostitution. And then one day, Ewa encounters Bruno's cousin, the debonair magician Orlando. He sweeps Ewa off her feet and quickly becomes her only chance to escape the nightmare in which she finds herself.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitution | immigration | immigrant | magician | money | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, nudity and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Europa Filmes [Brazil] Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Polish Latin

Release Date:

23 May 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lowlife

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$44,064, 16 May 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,013,456, 2 July 2014

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,867,686, 29 June 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Worldview Entertainment, Keep Your Head, Kingsgate Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film marks the first time that James Gray wrote a leading role for a woman. He wrote the character Ewa Cybulska especially for Marion Cotillard. He also wrote the role of Bruno especially for Joaquin Phoenix.

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Goofs

When at the church, Ewa makes the "sign of the cross" with the left hand several times.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ewa Cybulska: [standing in line at Ellis Island speaking Polish] We're almost there.
Magda Cybulska: [coughing]
Ewa Cybulska: The doctors are looking, try to hold it in. You're just nervous. That brings it on. Try to close your ears and say a prayer, to the Mother of God.
Magda Cybulska: I will.
Ewa Cybulska: We'll find Aunt Edyta soon, and we'll be safe. We'll be together. We'll make our own families, have lots of children.

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Connections

Featured in Huffpost Live: Marion Cotillard LIVE (2015)

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Soundtracks

Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay
Written by Henry J. Sayers
Performed by Bruno's stage women while practicing a rehearsal

User Reviews

Absolute masterpiece, best movie I've watched in a long time

Magnificent performance by the leading actors, and even supporting roles. Incredible set, photography, costumes, script, direction, you name it. A true chef d'oeuvre and a feast for the senses. Cotillard is out of this world in almost every scene she appears in, I would not be surprised at all if she sealed an Oscar next year, or at least a nomination. Phoenix had an outstanding performance in this emotionally charged brilliantly written and directed movie about the very depths of human nature, lust, love, greed, survival, good and evil. Renner was great too, within the frame of his role, with some unexpected events as the story unfolds. This is not a movie where you can predict exactly what will happen next, you just sit back and live this amazing movie experience and thank God such great pictures are still made. A couple of hours of my life very well spent.