Directed by:
Paul MazurskyCinematography:
László KovácsCast:
Donald Sutherland, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Lerner, Joan Delaney, Paul Mazursky, Federico Fellini, Jeanne Moreau, Angelo Rossitto, Boyd 'Red' Morgan (more)Plots(1)
Paul Mazursky wrote and directed this semiautobiographical film about Alex, a director (Donald Sutherland) who achieves overnight success with his debut effort and is confused and angst-ridden at the thought of his second project. An homage to Federico Fellini's classic tale of filmmaker's angst, 8 1/2, the film also serves as a tribute to creating cinema while parodying Hollywood's many excesses. Alex is deeply troubled by the future of his art, mired in confusion and mystery, and lost in a world he no longer recognizes. Mazursky skillfully combines surreal fantasy with biting satire as Alex attempts to navigate the world that has become a bizarre looking glass like Alice dropped into the mysterious Wonderland. Ellen Burstyn costars as Alex's wife, who quietly accepts her husband's eccentricities while shopping for a new home and attempting to live a normal life in Hollywood with their two young daughters, Amy (Meg Mazursky) and Nancy (Glenna Sargent). Alex's search for inspiration leads him on many bizarre journeys, including a trip to Italy, where he meets his cinematic idol, Federico Fellini (who appears as himself), goes on an acid trip with friends, and has a chance encounter with French star Jeanne Moreau, who appears in a marvelous fantasy sequence. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Donald Sutherland
Canada
Best movies:
The Simpsons: Dark Secrets (1998) (video compilation)
Lord of War (2005)
JFK (1991)
Ellen Burstyn
USA
Best movies:
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Interstellar (2014)
Same Time, Next Year (1978)
Michael Lerner
USA
Best movies:
Barton Fink (1991)
Outlaw Blues (1977)
Newsies (1992)
Joan Delaney
Best movies:
Scenes from a Mall (1991)
The President's Analyst (1967)
Paul Mazursky
USA
Best movies:
Carlito's Way (1993)
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
Antz (1998)
Federico Fellini
Italy
Best movies:
Roma (1972)
L'Amore (1948)
Intervista (1987)
Jeanne Moreau
France
Best movies:
The Carmelites (1960)
The 400 Blows (1959)
Evidence in Concrete (1958)
Angelo Rossitto
USA
Best movies:
Freaks (1932)
The Baron of Arizona (1950)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan
USA
Best movies:
The Defiant Ones (1958)
Spartacus (1960)
Dirty Harry (1971)
Virginia Hawkins
USA
Best movies:
Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) (TV movie)
Bitter Vengeance (1994) (TV movie)
Down, Out & Dangerous (1995) (TV movie)
Moss Mabry
USA
Murray Pollack
USA
Best movies:
North by Northwest (1959)
What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Giant (1956)
George Reynolds
USA
Best movies:
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Mr. Horn (1979) (TV movie)