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Hurlyburly (film)

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Wikipedia article




'Hurlyburly' is a 1998 independent film, based on the acclaimed 1984 play of the same name by David Rabe, who adapted it into a screenplay for the film. The film was directed by Anthony Drazan.

Synopsis



The film is an adaptation of David Rabe's play, directed and produced by Tony Drazan, about the intersecting lives of several Hollywood players and wannabes, whose dysfunctional personal lives are more interesting than anything they're peddling to the studios. Rabe wrote the screenplay for the film, condensing the action of the three-hour plus play into two hours and updated the setting from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s.

Cast



* Sean Penn as Eddie

* Kevin Spacey as Mickey

* Robin Wright as Darlene

* Chazz Palminteri as Phil

* Garry Shandling as Artie

* Anna Paquin as Donna

* Meg Ryan as Bonnie

* Gianna Ranaudo as Susie

Reception



Box office

The film was described as opening "strong" upon its limited release. Opening in 16 theaters, the film grossed $164,826 in its opening weekend; the widest release the film ever got was in 84 theaters. The film grossed a total of $1,798,862.

Reviews/awards

The film received mixed reception from critics; it has a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 38 reviews with the consensus: "Though 'Hurlyburly' offers a showcase of powerhouse performances from its leads, it's held back by a meandering narrative and verbose explorations of cynicism."

Penn's performance won him the Volpi Cup and Drazan was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Penn also was nominated Best Male Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Promotion



Sean Penn and Garry Shandling gave this film a plug during the final episode of 'The Larry Sanders Show', in which Sean Penn tells Larry "off camera" that Garry Shandling was an insecure and awful actor who was always trying to get into his wife's trailer.

References




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