Starting Out in the Evening

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Starting Out in the Evening
Directed by Andrew Wagner
Produced by Jake Abraham
Nancy Israel
John Sloss
Written by Screenplay:
Fred Parnes
Andrew Wagner
Starring Lauren Ambrose
Frank Langella
Karl Bury
Lili Taylor
Adrian Lester
Jessica Hecht
Music by Adam Gorgoni
Cinematography Harlan Bosmajian
Editing by Gena Bleier
Distributed by Roadside Attractions
Release date(s) January 2007 (2007-01)
Running time 111 min. (TIFF)
Country USA
Language English
Official website
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Starting Out in the Evening is the film adaptation of the novel by Brian Morton, which follows an aging novelist (Frank Langella) whose world is shaken when an ambitious graduate student (Lauren Ambrose) convinces him that she can use her thesis to bring him back into the literature world spotlight.[1] The film also stars Lili Taylor and Adrian Lester.

The film, directed by Andrew Wagner, was released on November 23, 2007 at the Paris Theatre in New York City.

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[edit] About

Set in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It was shot in 18 days at a cost of about $500,000. "We had no time, we had no money, we had no perks, we had no room to mess it up," Langella told an audience at a screening.[2]

The film is Andrew Wagner's second, after 2004's The Talent Given Us, and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007. As of May of 2008, the film has made more than $890,000 at the box office, its widest release being 43 theaters.[3]

[edit] Critical reception

The film received positive reviews from critics. As of December 31, 2007, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 83% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 65 reviews.[4] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 80 out of 100, based on 26 reviews.[5]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 4 stars out of 4. Ebert wrote, "Starting Out in the Evening is a film about people who think literature is worth devoting a lifetime to." Ebert said the performance by Frank Langella "deserves an Oscar nomination." Ebert said "the film provides unusually intelligent discussion of books and careers..." and concluded "The movie is carefully modulated to draw us deeper and deeper into the situation, and uses no contrived plot devices to superimpose plot jolts on what is, after all, a story involving four civilized people who are only trying, each in a different way, to find happiness."[6]

Scott Foundas of Variety wrote, "Director Andrew Wagner draws topnotch work from a pro cast in Starting Out in the Evening, a wise, carefully observed chamber drama about an elderly novelist whose daily routine is interrupted by the arrival of a young grad student with more than academics on her mind. While its New York lit-world setting, focus on aging and preference for intelligent dialogue over kinetic action will do little to create a feeding frenzy among potential distribs, this small yet deeply resonant pic should be embraced by upscale arthouse auds and spark awards talk for star Frank Langella."[7]

James Greenberg of The Hollywood Reporter called the film a "complex and satisfying New York literary drama." Greenburg said the film has a "compelling story, great acting, intelligent writing and sensitive direction." Greenberg called Frank Langella's performance "astounding" and said "[Lauren Ambrose] almost keeps pace with him." Greenberg said the character Ariel " is a touching and believable character, thanks to the warmth and vitality [Lili Taylor] brings to the role." Greenberg wrote "the film manages to keep its balance, aided by a lovely and restrained score by Adam Gorgoni."[8]

[edit] Top ten lists

The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007.[9]

[edit] Awards

[edit] Wins

[edit] Nominations

[edit] References

[edit] External links