Floundering
| Floundering | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Peter McCarthy |
| Produced by | Peter McCarthy |
| Written by | Peter McCarthy |
| Starring |
James LeGros John Cusack Ethan Hawke Lisa Zane Steve Buscemi Billy Bob Thornton |
| Music by | Pray for Rain |
| Cinematography | Denis Maloney |
| Editing by |
Dody Dorn Peter McCarthy |
| Distributed by | New City Releasing |
| Release dates | 1994 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Floundering is a 1994 comedy film set in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots of 1992. The film was directed and written by Peter McCarthy, starring James LeGros with appearances by John Cusack, Ethan Hawke, and Lisa Zane.
Plot summary
John (James LeGros) is an unemployed young man, living alone and trying to pay hospital bills for his brother and only family. The film is told as a narrative delivered by John under the pessimism of the early 1990s. A misanthropic shut-in, he deals with his personal issues through a series of disjointed and sometimes imaginary encounters with television personalities, dead relatives, a former liberal turned investment banker, drug users and the unemployment office. Each chapter is bears a varying degree of social commentary. The film climaxes as John loses hope, and his search for meaning turns to self-destruction. John is finally rescued by the charity of an old friend, then resolving to leave Los Angeles and start his life anew.
Cast
- James LeGros as John Boyz
- Lisa Zane as Jessica
- Ethan Hawke as Jimmy
- Nelson Lyon as Chief Merryl Fence
- Maritza Rivera as Elle
- Kim Wayans as Unemployment Clerk
- Olivia Barash as Ruthie
- Nina Siemaszko as Gal
- John Cusack as JC
- Steve Buscemi as Ned
- Billy Bob Thornton as Gun Clerk
- Dave Navarro as Drug Kid
- Viggo Mortensen as Homeless Man