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Starting Out In The Evening (2007)
Released By: Roadside Attractions   Rating: PG-13   In Theaters: 11/23/2007
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Studio: Roadside Attractions
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Andrew Wagner
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: 11/23/2007
Home Video Release: 4/22/2008
Cast: Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose, Karl Bury, Anitha Gandhi, Jessica Hecht, Sean T. Krishnan
Published ID: 810894
UPC: 031398228714,
Plot: Frank Langella (Dracula, Good Night, and Good Luck.) stars in Andrew Wagner's independent drama Starting Out in the Evening, an adaptation of the acclaimed 1999 best-seller by Brian Morton. Langella plays Leonard Schiller, a once-celebrated author whose first four novels inspired Heather Wolfe (Lauren Ambrose) to pursue a career as a writer. These days, Leonard is still working toward completion of the novel that has occupied his life for nearly a decade. On the surface, Leonard has removed himself completely from the deep-seated need for success that characterized his life at an earlier point in time; but on a more buried level, he still longs for his fiction to be rediscovered and re-acclaimed. Now an eager graduate student in the throes of her thesis, Heather is writing her dissertation on Schiller, and promptly convinces him that she can use the thesis to regenerate popularity and discovery of his work. Heather also projects personal interest in Leonard, however, which cuts straight through to the core of his loneliness and brings him in touch with his need for a meaningful relationship even as it leaves him feeling shaken and increasingly uncertain. Meanwhile, Leonard finds that his relationship with his daughter, Ariel (Lili Taylor), is challenged, both by Heather's presence and by Ariel's decision to begin dating her former boyfriend Casey (Adrian Lester) once again -- a fact that Leonard finds most upsetting thanks to his disapproval of Casey. Suddenly, Leonard feels his entire world turned upside down, from his familial relationships to the security of his writing to his own physical vitality -- but he is also taking risks and plunging headfirst into the core of life for the first time, thus living out the principles long celebrated and upheld in his fiction and giving himself the capacity to grow. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Langella's Schiller hardly seems like acting...until you remember his entirely different outing in Frost/Nixon
Added 6/24/2009

With the exception of a very uncomfortable, reach-for-the-fast-forward button bedroom sequence, we enjoyed this small, intelligent film a great deal. Frank Langella is a hallmark of excellence. His Leonard Schiller hardly seems like acting...until you remember his entirely different outing as Richard Nixon (Frost/Nixon).

Lili Taylor is excellent here, too, as Langella's on-screen daughter Ariel. She's looking beautiful and performing better than ever at 42.

Adrian Lester - haven't thought of him since his turn as Henry Burton in Mike Nichols' adaptation of Joe Klein's Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics. He gives a nice outing here, too. His scenes with Langella are outstanding - the metamorphosis of their relationship is touching and realistic.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
An overwhelming piece of cinema!
Added 6/6/2009

I didn't keep any expectations from this very film. I honestly didn't have any and to my warm surprise I found out this film to be one of the finest drama's of all time. Frank Langella, the more you can say or get to know about him, the lesser it is. It's one of his finest performences that leads completely to perfection, he is simply the pure example of versatality in cinema, you can't take your eyes off him. The sensitivity, the emotions potrayed by him in the film is simply beyond words. Lauren Ambrose was quite good as the curious young student, her flamboyant acting resulted in a good chemistry with Langella. Lily Taylor delivers a decent performence as Langella's daughter. Its not just a film for a viewing pleasure, its something that drags you in each situation, lets you think once or twice. One of the finest cast performences. Give it a look!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Amazing
Added 5/24/2009

I'm just going to sum this up. This movie made me feel many different emotions. I had no choice but to care about the characters. I was touched by this film and feel the story and cast are magnificent.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Great performances
Added 4/26/2009

An engrossing film about art and the complicated relationship between writing, a writer, and a graduate student writing about the writer.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Lauren Ambrose and Frank Langella Shine
Added 2/13/2009

I rented this film because I'd heard of Mr. Langella's many awards and nominations for this role. He is certainly as focused and subtle as the character requires, and is most subtly impressive. Equally as impressive is the lovely Lauren Ambrose, the only spark of energy in the film. This is an indie film about damaged characters, and there really isn't a whole lot of new material here, except it's all handled by a bunch of reliable pros. Lili Taylor is always good, but she's become a bit type-cast; a very fine performance by Adrian Lester as her non-committal boyfriend is complete and focused, a difficult role. I'm glad I saw this fine film, but, if I bought it, I doubt it'd be one I'd pull out for repeated viewings. It's interesting that this year's Oscar nominations include Langella, in a powerhouse role, and Richard Jenkins in a subtle role, similar to Mr. Langella's in "Starting Out in the Evening".
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Langella's Schiller hardly seems like acting...until you remember his entirely different outing in Frost/Nixon
Added 6/24/2009

With the exception of a very uncomfortable, reach-for-the-fast-forward button bedroom sequence, we enjoyed this small, intelligent film a great deal. Frank Langella is a hallmark of excellence. His Leonard Schiller hardly seems like acting...until you remember his entirely different outing as Richard Nixon (Frost/Nixon).

Lili Taylor is excellent here, too, as Langella's on-screen daughter Ariel. She's looking beautiful and performing better than ever at 42.

Adrian Lester - haven't thought of him since his turn as Henry Burton in Mike Nichols' adaptation of Joe Klein's Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics. He gives a nice outing here, too. His scenes with Langella are outstanding - the metamorphosis of their relationship is touching and realistic.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
An overwhelming piece of cinema!
Added 6/6/2009

I didn't keep any expectations from this very film. I honestly didn't have any and to my warm surprise I found out this film to be one of the finest drama's of all time. Frank Langella, the more you can say or get to know about him, the lesser it is. It's one of his finest performences that leads completely to perfection, he is simply the pure example of versatality in cinema, you can't take your eyes off him. The sensitivity, the emotions potrayed by him in the film is simply beyond words. Lauren Ambrose was quite good as the curious young student, her flamboyant acting resulted in a good chemistry with Langella. Lily Taylor delivers a decent performence as Langella's daughter. Its not just a film for a viewing pleasure, its something that drags you in each situation, lets you think once or twice. One of the finest cast performences. Give it a look!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Amazing
Added 5/24/2009

I'm just going to sum this up. This movie made me feel many different emotions. I had no choice but to care about the characters. I was touched by this film and feel the story and cast are magnificent.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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