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Last Exit to Brooklyn (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Last Exit to Brooklyn' is a 1989 German-British-American drama film directed by Uli Edel and adapted by Desmond Nakano from Hubert Selby Jr.'s 1964 novel of the same title.
Plot
The difficult lives of unionized workers, prostitutes, and drag queens in a working class Brooklyn neighborhood are portrayed, including drugs, crime and violence.
Cast
* Stephen Lang as Harry Black
* Jennifer Jason Leigh as Tralala
* Burt Young as Big Joe
* Peter Dobson as Vinnie
* Jerry Orbach as Boyce
* Stephen Baldwin as Sal
* Jason Andrews as Tony
* James Lorinz as Freddy
* Sam Rockwell as Al
* Maia Danziger as Mary Black
* Camille Saviola as Ella
* Ricki Lake as Donna
* Cameron Johann as Spook
* John Costelloe as Tommy
* Christopher Murney as Paulie
* Alexis Arquette as Georgette
* Mark Boone Junior as Willie
* Rutanya Alda as Georgette's mother
Production
There had been several attempts to adapt 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' into a film prior to this version. One of the earliest attempts was made by producer Steve Krantz and animator Ralph Bakshi, who wanted to direct a live-action film based on the novel. Bakshi had sought out the rights to the novel after completing 'Heavy Traffic', a film which shared many themes with Selby's novel. Selby agreed to the adaptation, and actor Robert De Niro accepted the role of Harry in 'Strike'. According to Bakshi, "the whole thing fell apart when Krantz and I had a falling out over past business. It was a disappointment to me and Selby. Selby and I tried a few other screenplays after that on other subjects, but I could not shake 'Last Exit' from my mind."
Some scenes for the film were shot at Montero's Bar and Grill, which was owned by Pilar Montero and her husband.
Reception
The film received positive reviews, garnering a 70% rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes from 20 critics, and winning a few critics' awards for Leigh's portrayal of Tralala, though its limited distribution and downbeat subject matter prevented it from becoming a commercial success.
See also
* 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' (soundtrack)
References
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