Wristcutters: A Love Story

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Wristcutters: A Love Story

Theatrical poster
Directed by Goran Dukic
Produced by Tatiana Kelly
Mikal P.Lazarev
Chris Coen
Adam Sherman
Written by Goran Dukic
Etgar Keret
Starring Patrick Fugit
Shannyn Sossamon
Tom Waits
Shea Whigham
Will Arnett
Music by Bobby Johnston
Cinematography Vanja Cernjul
Editing by Jonathan Alberts
Distributed by Autonomous Films
Release date(s) October 19, 2007
Running time 91 min
Country USAUSA
Language English
Official website
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Wristcutters: A Love Story is a 2007 film written and directed by Goran Dukic and starring Patrick Fugit and Shannyn Sossamon. It is set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide.

It is based on Etgar Keret's short story "Kneller's Happy Campers". A graphic novel version was titled Pizzeria Kamikaze. Much of the movie was shot on super-16 color infrared film, which was produced specially by Kodak. The color-shifts inherent in using this kind of film enhanced the parallel world feel to the action.[1]

It was released on DVD on March 25, 2008.[2]

Contents

[edit] Plot

After Zia (Patrick Fugit) commits suicide by cutting his wrists, he finds himself in an afterlife limbo that is much the same as his former reality, just slightly worse here: the color is dim, there are no flowers, the music sucks, and no one can smile. This strange realm is populated by people who have committed suicide, such as Eugene (Shea Whigham), a Russian rocker who lives with his mother, father, and brother (all suicide victims). Eugene is partly based on Eugene Hütz of the band Gogol Bordello, whose music features in the film as that recorded by character Eugene's old band. He kills himself on stage by pouring a beer he is drinking ("Dead Guy Ale", brewed by Rogue Ales) onto his guitar. Together they waste most of their death in bars, until Zia learns his ex-girlfriend has also committed suicide. He and Eugene take to the road to find her, picking up hitchhiker Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon) along the way. She insists there's been a mistake and she is seeking the "people in charge" in order to be sent back. This trio of lost souls forms an uncommon bond, road-tripping through the afterlife and meeting memorable characters including an undercover angel named Kneller (Tom Waits).

[edit] Cast

[edit] Awards

  • Film Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Screenplay Nominee
  • Film Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature Nominee
  • Sundance 06 - Grand Jury Award Nominee
  • Seattle 06 - Best Director
  • Gen Art 06 - Best Feature Film
  • Philadelphia 06 - Best First Feature
  • Humanitas Prize 06 - Best Screenplay Nominee
  • Motovun Film Festival 06 - Best Film Audience Award
  • The screenplay was an official Selection of the 2004 Sundance Screenwriter's Lab.

[edit] Taglines

  • An Offbeat Comedy, A Love Story, A Road Movie - But Everybody's Dead
  • You don't know what you have until you lose it.
  • Suicide! Don't do it!
  • Life is a trip, but the afterlife is one hell of a ride.

[edit] External links

[edit] Reviews

[edit] References

  1. ^ Finney, Andy. Invisible Light. atsf.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
  2. ^ Amazon.com.