Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)

A romance sparks between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady.

Director:

Paul McGuigan

Writers:

Matt Greenhalgh (screenplay), Peter Turner (based on the memoir by)

Stars:

Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Kenneth Cranham

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Annette Bening	...	Gloria Grahame
Jamie Bell	...	Peter Turner
Kenneth Cranham	...	Joe Snr
Julie Walters	...	Bella
Jodie McNee	...	Jessie
Stephen Graham	...	Joe Jnr
Joanna Brookes	...	Didi
Pete Lee-Wilson	...	Barman
Jay Villiers	...	Georgie
Marina Bye	...	PR Person
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Jean
Frances Barber	...	Joy
Pandora Colin	...	Surgeon
Alexander Arnold	...	Anaesthetist
Gemma Oaten	...	Patient

Storyline

Real life proves just as dramatic off-screen as it does on it for these two actors, the aging Hollywood superstar Gloria Grahame and her younger lover, Peter Turner. As their mismatched romance waxes and wanes over time, events conspire to keep them in each other's lives even when it proves difficult and demanding. Ultimately, they find that they must each come to terms with whatever fate they face in the future whether they are together or apart.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | topless female nudity | breast sucking | older woman younger man relationship | based on real person | 

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Taglines:

A True Story of What Happens When a Hollywood Legend Discovers Romance

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 2017 (UK)

Also Known As:

Las estrellas de cine nunca mueren

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$36,048, 31 December 2017

Gross USA:

$1,026,124

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,047,917

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eon Productions, Synchronistic Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Annette Bening was 59 years old at the time of this film's release, making her two years older than Gloria Grahame was when she died.

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Quotes

Peter Turner: Has anyone ever told you that you look like Lauren Bacall when you smoke?
Gloria Grahame: Humphrey Bogart. And I didn't like it then either.

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Connections

References Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

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Soundtracks

You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way
Written by Elvis Costello
Performed by Elvis Costello
Published by Universal Music Publishing MBG Ltd
Courtesy of Elvis Costello

User Reviews

A Love Story

One of the most overlooked, exquisitely sensitive films of 2017 somehow slipped past all attention to awards. Based on a true story - published by Peter Turner in 1986 - of a late in life affair between screen icon Gloria Grahame and young actor Peter Turner - this film is radiantly beautiful. The screenplay adaptation is by Matt Greenhalgh and the sensitive direction is the work of Paul McGuigan.

The story covers the years 1979 - 1981. In 1979 Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) is in England starring on stage in The Glass Menagerie and flirts with young actor Peter Turner (Jamie Bell), a bisexual young actor who falls under the spell of the femme fatale and despite the significant age difference they fall in love and begin and affair that is real, tender, and meaningful to both. As their mismatched romance waxes and wanes over time, events conspire to keep them in each other's lives even when it proves difficult and demanding. Ultimately, they find that they must each come to terms with whatever fate they face in the future whether they are together or apart. Grahame has breast cancer, a fact she conceals from Peter, and as she becomes close to Peter's family - mother Bella (Julie Walters), father Joe SR (Kenneth Cranham), and brother Joe Jr. (Stephen Graham) - she reveals her illness. On a trip to Los Angeles Gloria and Peter live together in Gloria's house trailer by the Pacific ocean, and are visited by Gloria's mother (Vanessa Redgrave) and sister Joy (Frances Barber) before they return to Peter's home in Liverpool. Gloria grows weaker and ultimately decides to return to her American physician for chemotherapy, escorted by one of her real sons Tim (Tom Brittney) from one of her four marriages, leaving Peter with love and concern that he care for his own family. The story is an affectionate, moving, and wryly humorous memoir of friendship, love, and stardom.

Oscar worthy performances by Bening, Bell, Walters and the entire cast make this film luminous - one that needs to be seen more than once to fully appreciate all the fine qualities - acting, photography, musical score, and direction. Highly recommended