| Plot Synopsis An artist who compromises his work for money finds his heart and soul are also being toyed with by his new patrons in this drama. Robert (Peter Sarsgaard) is a playwright who has recently lost his longtime lover and business partner, Malcolm (Bill Camp), to AIDS-related illnesses. Robert has written a screenplay about their relationship, called "The Dying Gaul," and is interested in selling the project to powerful producer Jeffrey (Campbell Scott). However, while Jeffrey likes the script, he tells Robert that he's not about to spend money on a film about a gay couple - though he'll give him one million dollars for the screenplay under the condition he turns the character of "Maurice" into a woman so the film will be easier to sell. While Robert is secretly appalled by the idea, he's also deep in debt and wants the film to be made, so he agrees to make the changes. Robert is soon invited into the inner circle of Jeffrey and his wife, Elaine (Patricia Clarkson), herself a talented screenwriter until their marriage put an end to her career. Jeffrey finds himself fascinated by Robert, and soon begins seducing him both physically and intellectually, while Elaine is also deeply attracted to him. As Robert and Elaine become close friends, she also begins pursuing him in on-line chat rooms, playing on his emotional weaknesses as she fashions a story of her own. The Dying Gaul was the first directorial credit for playwright and screenwriter Craig Lucas. - Mark Deming, AMG Reviews Peter Travers Rolling Stone (Posted: Nov, 3 2005) With humor and rage fighting for dominance, debuting director Craig Lucas drives a stake into the dark heart of Hollywood. He knows the territory. Lucas the playwright (Prelude to a Kiss) is savvy about how studios destroy talent and souls. Robert, the writer played by Peter Sarsgaard, does not. When he meets with studio exec Jeffrey (a pitch-perfect Campbell Scott), the charming devil offers Robert a million bucks for his screenplay about his AIDS-stricken lover for the screen. There's a catch: Robert must change the pair from gay to straight. This is 1995, pre-Will and Grace and other gay-friendly sitcoms. Homophobia is rampant. Not with Jeffrey. He invites Robert home to Malibu to meet his wife, Elaine (Patricia Clarkson), and their two kids. He also offers to lick Robert's body, head to toe, and bring him to his splashiest orgasm. Before long, Robert accepts. Elaine knows nothing of this until she logs on to a gay chat room favored by Robert and learns harsh truths about him and the devious man she married. Lucas the director serves Lucas the playwright beautifully, giving the film a seductive gleam that only enhances the shock when he reveals the toxicity underneath. The actors could not be better. Sarsgaard, Scott and the luminous Clarkson negotiate the film's razor-sharp laughs and bone-deep tragedy with resonant skill. Lucas' powerfully haunting film gets under your skin. Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews B- Long struggling screenwriter Robert (Peter Sarsgaard, "Jarhead") is in an emotionally fragile state when he is unexpectedly courted by successful Hollywood producer Jeffrey (Campbell Scott, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose") for a personal work based on his relationship with his dead lover and former agent Malcolm (Bill Camp, "Rounders"). As Jeffrey persuades Robert to change the story's central relationship to be heterosexual, the bisexual producer also seduces the writer. Robert, who admires Jeffrey's wife Elaine (Patricia Clarkson, "Good Night, and Good Luck"), doesn't realize he is also engaging in a dual relationship with her as she masquerades as Malcolm in his favorite chat room in "The Dying Gaul." Writer/director Craig Lucas ("The Secret Lives of Dentists") makes his directorial debut with his own adaptation of his stage play, but while the film sports a stylish look and its three stars give him their all, it is ultimately his own words that take the edge off his film. Peter Sarsgaard is particularly exceptional in this dark look at art and artifice, but "The Dying Gaul's" twists may prove too much of a hairpin curve for most. While Jeffrey sidles up to Robert's financial dreams and stokes his ego, Elaine connects as a fellow writer and offers sympathy for his recent loss. In his vulnerable state, Robert is seduced on all counts. But the member of this triangle whom Robert feels the most guilt over is surprisingly devious. At first Robert thinks he's connected with a supportive stranger on menonaparkbench.com and divulges information he's never shared about Malcolm's death and about his current affair (Lucas cuts to Elaine's shocked reaction and pounds the point home with an orgiastic sprinkler spray hitting a corner window of her office). Using information obtained from the shrink they have in common, Dr. Foss (Linda Emond, "North Country"), Elaine creates new user ArckAngell 1966 and spins such an airtight persona as a heavenly spirit, that Robert almost truly believes he's online with Malcolm (it should be noted that Robert is a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation). But Elaine becomes overconfident in her deception and even though she successfully funnels Robert's suspicions away from Jeffrey, her use of information Robert divulged to the couple betrays her identity. Robert's surprising retaliation paints his producer in his own image. Per his own comments, Lucas observes that most people perceive the surviving partner of an AIDS loss as noble but that he believes suffering breeds cruelty. However, in creating such as strong initial bond between Robert and Elaine and presenting them as nice and caring people, their actions toward each other are difficult to believe. Elaine's grief would more credibly be directed at Jeffrey, especially given Robert's vulnerability and regret. Still, the actors are terrific. Sarsgaard brings gentleness and the intelligent perception of the artist to Robert while also making him interpersonally and professionally naive. Campbell Scott is a smooth salesman, a businessman used to winning the deal and yet, he, too, so his surprise at his own passion for Jeffrey feels real. The mens' first lovemaking session is incredibly raw, with Sarsgaard investing emotion from the pit of his being. Clarkson is always a joy to watch, but her character as written here is difficult to empathize with. "The Dying Gaul" (the title refers to a Roman statue of a dying enemy soldier) is stunning to look at with its angular architectural design (production design by Vincent Jefferds, "Max Keeble's Big Move"), all windows and panels and angles, minimalist furniture and infinity pools. The film's very first shot (cinematography by Bobby Bukowski, "Saved!") conveys much about the world Robert's about to enter in the size and form of the glass he's given for his sparkling water. Lucas enlivens his chat room sessions with an inventive use of voiceover that brings Malcolm into the narration as the spirit Robert envisions. Awards Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking (win) - 2005 National Board of Review In Competition - -2005 -Sundance Film Festival |
 |
 |
| THE DYING GAUL 2004 - USA - 105 min. - Feature, Color Director - Craig Lucas |
| Genre/Type - Drama, Psychological Drama Flags - Profanity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Nudity MPAA Rating - R Keywords - AIDS, seduction, love-triangle, screenplay, screenwriter, film-industry, film-studio Themes - Extramarital Affairs, Filmmaking, Self-Destructive Romance, Love Triangles, Death of a Spouse Tones - Chilly, Bleak, Literate, Cynical, Talky, Sexual, Biting Moods - Abandon All Hope Produced by - Holedigger Films / Rebel Park Pictures / Strand Releasing / TwoPoundBag Release - Nov 4, 2005 (USA - Limited) Released by - Holedigger Studios / Holedigger Studios / Strand Releasing DVD Street Date - Mar 21, 2006 Languages - English Subtitles - English Screen Formats - Letterbox for 16x9 TVs, COLOR Sound - Dolby Digital 5.1 Aspect Ratio - 1.85:1 (DVD) Studio - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD Sides - 1 Cast Patricia Clarkson -- Elaine Campbell Scott -- Jeffrey Peter Sarsgaard -- Robert Sandrich Robin Bartlett -- Bella Ebon Moss-Bachrach -- Olaf Bill Camp -- Malcolm Linda Emond -- Dr. Foss Elizabeth Marvel -- Kelli Kelli O'Hara -- Liz Thomas Jay Ryan Dee Dee Flores -- Emad Faith Jefferies -- Debbon Don Jonson -- Male Guest Ryan Miller - Max |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |