People I Know
| People I Know | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Daniel Algrant |
| Produced by | Michael Nozik |
| Written by | Jon Robin Baitz |
| Starring |
Al Pacino Kim Basinger Ryan O'Neal Téa Leoni |
| Music by | Terence Blanchard |
| Cinematography | Peter Deming |
| Editing by | Suzy Elmiger |
| Studio |
Myriad Pictures South Fork Pictures |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
| Release dates |
|
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country |
United States Germany |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $126,793 |
People I Know is a 2002 crime drama film directed by Daniel Algrant and stars Al Pacino, Kim Basinger, and Téa Leoni.
Plot
Eli Wurman (Al Pacino) is a Jewish publicist on the out, but all he knows is how to hustle and cajole, threaten and persuade. The hazy mania of his everyday life is fuelled by a steady stream of prescription drugs and alcohol.
One night, Eli's last remaining "big client" Cary Launer (Ryan O'Neal) – an actor considering a campaign for political office – entreats Eli to take care of his latest publicity mess, a dangerous liaison with Jilli Hopper (Téa Leoni), a hard-shelled, quick-tongued television actress with a soft centre and a taste for illegal drugs. The actress takes Eli to a drug-and-sex den, a playground for the rich and famous, where she claims to be looking for a toy.
Jilli is escorted off the premises by security. As she demands to know "Where is my toy?", she finds it and tells the guards, "I got all of you now." Eli is too stoned to understand the exchange.
Eli takes her back to the hotel room, where he takes more pills and passes out right after witnessing what appears to be the actress's murder. In his opiate daze, he cannot be sure. By the next morning, the memory is buried. Eli needs to pull together a charity benefit. He also is tempted to leave New York for good with his former sister-in-law, Victoria. But his work is interrupted by the police who question him and by acquaintances trying to ascertain how much Eli has seen and recalls. Eli finally realizes he is involved in something politically dangerous, and powerful forces are at play to keep his mouth shut.
As he strives to bring together the people he knows – members of the Black and Jewish communities, film stars and media – for the grand fundraiser, it becomes clear that dangerous forces are in play. But will the increasingly befuddled Eli be able to stay ahead of the game? Will he exploit the secret and continue his downward spiral into decadence or will he use the opportunity to change?
Cast
- Al Pacino as Eli Wurman
- Kim Basinger as Victoria Gray
- Ryan O'Neal as Cary Launer
- Téa Leoni as Jilli Hopper
- Richard Schiff as Elliot Sharansky
- Bill Nunn as The Reverend Lyle Brunt
- Robert Klein as Dr. Sandy Napier
- Mark Webber as Ross
Reception
The film received mixed reviews.[1] On Rotten Tomatoes it was given a rating of 43% making it rotten. The consensus was that the plot is derivative and incoherent, and that it does not engage the viewer. Empire magazine gave a largely positive review, awarding 4 stars out of five, and said that ' May be a slow-burn, but despite its lack of success elsewhere, it’s still more than worthy of its long-delayed cinema release. Discerning audiences willing to invest in the characters will soon warm to the downbeat story and Al Pacino’s subdued performance – especially the scenes he shares with Basinger'. BBC said that it was an 'intriguing but deeply flawed thriller'. Time out magazine said that 'With its uncertainties of tone, this is a mess, full of misplaced performances (not least Basinger as Eli's supportive sister-in-law), misfires and moral inconsistencies. But its rebellious spirit is commendable'.
References
- ↑ "People I Know - Rotten Tomatoes". Uk.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
External links
- People I Know at the Internet Movie Database
- People I Know at Box Office Mojo
- People I Know at Rotten Tomatoes
- People I Know at Metacritic