Affluenza (film)

Last updated

Affluenza
Affluenza (film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKevin Asch
Screenplay by Antonio Macia
Story byKevin Asch
Antonio Macia
Produced by Morris S. Levy
Starring Ben Rosenfield
Gregg Sulkin
Grant Gustin
Nicola Peltz
CinematographyTimothy Gillis
Edited bySuzanne Spangler
Music byMJ Mynarski
Production
companies
Lookbook Films
Mega Films
Distributed byFilmbuff
Release dates
  • July 9, 2014 (2014-07-09)(SVA Theater)
  • July 11, 2014 (2014-07-11)(United States)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Affluenza is a 2014 American drama film directed by Kevin Asch and written by Antonio Macia. It is loosely based on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. [1] The first leading role for Ben Rosenfield, it also stars Gregg Sulkin, Nicola Peltz and Grant Gustin.

Contents

Plot

In 2008, Fisher Miller (Ben Rosenfield), a young photography student, has a meeting with a wealthy businessman Mr. Carson (Roger Rees) to help him get into art school, only to be told his work reflects the decline of a generation rather than its future hope, Carson laments this as he declares his generation are going out of business in a "fire sale".

It then flashes back a month before the financial crash as Fisher moves in with his aunt Bunny and uncle Philip (Samantha Mathis and Steve Guttenberg) in Great Neck, New York, to escape his middle-class life for the mansions of the young, beautiful elite of Long Island's moneyed class. With a stash of high-quality marijuana and a vintage camera, he gains access to his cousin Kate's (Nicola Peltz) circle of wealthy and indulged friends.

Fisher befriends the stepson of the community's richest resident, Dylan Carson (Gregg Sulkin), an insecure outsider in his own world who uses his money in an attempt to gain the acceptance he craves. Central to his pursuit is the love of his former flame Kate, now dating the preppy Todd (Grant Gustin). Through Fisher's help, Dylan attempts to regain Kate's affection only for the triangle to come crashing down, just as the financial system around them, with devastating consequences for all those involved.

Cast

Production

In July 2012, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Grant Gustin had landed the lead role. [2] The main role eventually went to Ben Rosenfield, with Gustin taking a supporting role. Gregg Sulkin was later cast as the film's Jay Gatsby character Dylan and Nicola Peltz was cast as Rosenfield's cousin, completing the main cast. [3]

Release

The film premiered at the SVA Theater in New York City on July 9, 2014, and was released in the United States on July 11, 2014 in a limited release and through video on demand. [4]

Reception

Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 23% of thirteen surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 3.5/10. [5] Metacritic rated it 30 out of 100 based on twelve reviews. [6] Andrew Barker of Variety described it as "an empty recasting of The Great Gatsby among Long Island rich kids." [7] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film "attempts to tackle weighty themes but ultimately feels as shallow as the lives of most of its principal characters." [8] Ben Kenigsberg of The New York Times called it a "millennial-chiding takeoff on The Great Gatsby" whose "vapid moralizing owes more to Bret Easton Ellis than to F. Scott Fitzgerald." [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregg Sulkin</span> British actor (born 1992)

Gregg Sulkin is an English actor. He made his television debut in the 2002 Doctor Zhivago mini-series. He later starred in the 2006 British film Sixty Six, and subsequently appeared in the Disney Channel comedy series As the Bell Rings and Wizards of Waverly Place. In 2010, he starred in the Disney Channel television film Avalon High. He also appeared in the television special The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex. He starred on MTV's show Faking It as Liam Booker from 2014 until its cancellation in 2016. He also appeared on Pretty Little Liars as Ezra's brother, Wesley "Wes" Fitzgerald. In 2016, he starred in the role of Sam Fuller in the horror-thriller film Don't Hang Up. He starred as Chase Stein in the TV show Runaways, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicola Peltz</span> American actress (born 1995)

Nicola Anne Peltz Beckham is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Katara in the film The Last Airbender (2010), Bradley Martin in the A&E drama series Bates Motel (2013–2015) and Tessa Yeager in the film Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).

<i>The Great Gatsby</i> (2013 film) Film by Baz Luhrmann

The Great Gatsby is a 2013 American historical romantic drama film based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film was co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann and stars an ensemble cast consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, and Elizabeth Debicki. Filming took place from September to December 2011 in Australia, with a $105 million net production budget. The film follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio) and his neighbor Nick Carraway (Maguire) who recounts his interactions with Gatsby amid the riotous parties of the Jazz Age on Long Island in New York.

<i>Transformers: Age of Extinction</i> 2014 film by Michael Bay

Transformers: Age of Extinction is a 2014 American science fiction action film based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line. It is the sequel to Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) and the fourth installment in the Transformers film series. Like its predecessor, the film is directed by Michael Bay and written by Ehren Kruger. It stars Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci, with supporting roles done by Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li, Titus Welliver, and T.J. Miller. It does not feature the original human cast from the previous three films, and instead introduces a new human cast and many new Transformers, including the Dinobots. A struggling inventor and single-father discovers a damaged truck, which turns out to be a Transformer in disguise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Gustin</span> American actor

Thomas Grant Gustin is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Barry Allen / The Flash on The CW series The Flash (2014–2023) as part of the Arrowverse and as Sebastian Smythe on the Fox series Glee. Trained in musical theater, his first major credit was as part of the 2010 national tour of West Side Story; he returned to theater in the original Broadway production of Water for Elephants, originating the starring role of Jacob Jankowski.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Rosenfield</span> American actor and musician

Ben Rosenfield is an American actor and musician. He is best known for playing Willie Thompson on the fourth and fifth seasons of HBO's period crime drama series Boardwalk Empire (2013–2014). He starred in leading roles in Greetings from Tim Buckley (2012), Affluenza (2014), and 6 Years (2016) as well as supporting roles in Song One (2014), Indignation (2016), Person to Person (2017), and Mickey and the Bear (2019).

<i>Faking It</i> (American TV series) 2014 American romantic comedy television series

Faking It is an American romantic comedy television series that premiered on MTV on April 22, 2014, starring Rita Volk, Katie Stevens, Gregg Sulkin, Michael Willett, and Bailey De Young. The series was created by Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov. Carter Covington developed the series and serves as the executive producer. An eight-episode first season was ordered by MTV in October 2013. MTV announced a 10-episode second season set to premiere on September 23, 2014. In August 2014, the show won a Teen Choice Award for "Choice TV Breakout Show". In October 2014, MTV ordered 10 more episodes, meaning season two would have a total of 20 episodes. The series features the first intersex main character on a television show, and also included television's first intersex character played by an intersex actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morris S. Levy</span> American film and television producer

Morris S. Levy is a film, television, and theatrical producer who was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Kings Point, New York. He is the founder and President of M.E.G.A. Films, a New York-based production company. He often films in Great Neck as well as all over the New York City area. His films have appeared in the Sundance Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Tribeca Film Festival amongst other festivals. His film A Novel Romance won the Audience Award and Best Picture Award at the New York International Film Festival. His TV series, Cop Show won best comedy, among other awards at the 2015 New York City Webfest. His 2020 critically acclaimed film ″Angie: Lost Girls″ won Best Picture at the Moving Parts Film Festival and also won an Award of Excellence from the Accolade Global Film Competition. Mr. Levy is a producer of the Off-Broadway show My Life on a Diet starring Renee Taylor, which received rave reviews from the NY Times, NY Post, LA Times, and was nominated for a 2019 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show. He is also a producer on the Off Broadway show Mornings at Seven starring Tony Roberts, Judith Ivey, and Don Lauria. Before entering the entertainment business, he was a principal in a ladies' clothing company and was also prominent in the New York nightlife business as a promoter/owner.

<i>6 Years</i> 2015 American film

6 Years is a 2015 American romantic drama film written and directed by Hannah Fidell and starring Taissa Farmiga, Ben Rosenfield, Lindsay Burdge, Joshua Leonard, Peter Vack, and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson. Filmmakers Mark and Jay Duplass served as executive producers under their Duplass Brothers Productions banner. The film depicts two weeks in the relationship of college students Melanie Clark and Dan Mercer, as their 6-year romance turns violent.

<i>The Flash</i> (film) 2023 superhero film by Andy Muschietti

The Flash is a 2023 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Barry Allen / Flash. Directed by Andy Muschietti from a screenplay by Christina Hodson and a story by Joby Harold and the writing team of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, it is the 13th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Ezra Miller stars as Barry, who travels back in time to prevent his mother's death and becomes stranded in an alternate past. Sasha Calle also stars in her film debut, alongside Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Michael Keaton.

<i>Youth in Oregon</i> 2016 American film

Youth in Oregon is a 2016 American comedy-drama film directed by Joel David Moore and starring Frank Langella, Billy Crudup, Christina Applegate, Nicola Peltz, Mary Kay Place, and Josh Lucas.

<i>Ashes in the Snow</i> 2018 American film

Ashes in the Snow is a World War II drama film based on The New York Times best selling novel Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The film is a coming-of-age tale of a young teenager named Lina who, with her mother and younger brother, was deported from her native Lithuania to a Soviet gulag amid Stalin's occupation of the Baltic region during World War II. An aspiring artist, she secretly documents her harrowing journey with her drawings.

<i>Anti-Social</i> (film) 2015 film by Reg Traviss

Anti-Social is a 2015 Hungarian-British crime film written and directed by Reg Traviss and starring Gregg Sulkin, Meghan Markle, and Josh Myers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Allen (Arrowverse)</span> Fictional character in the Arrowverse

Barry Allen, also known by his alter ego The Flash, is a fictional character in The CW's Arrowverse franchise, first introduced in the 2013 episode "The Scientist" of the television series Arrow, and later starring in The Flash. The character is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino and was adapted for television in 2013 by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns. Grant Gustin portrayed Barry Allen, with Logan Williams and Liam Hughes portraying younger versions.

<i>Under the Eiffel Tower</i> 2018 American film

Under the Eiffel Tower is a 2018 comedy film directed by Archie Borders and written by Borders, David Henry and Judith Godrèche. The film stars Matt Walsh, Judith Godrèche, Reid Scott, Michaela Watkins, David Wain, Dylan Gelula, Gary Cole, and Ary Abittan. The film premiered at the Berkshire International Film Festival on June 3, 2018. It was released on February 8, 2019, by The Orchard.

<i>Among Ravens</i> 2014 American film

Among Ravens is a 2014 American comedy-drama film directed by Russell Friedenberg and Randy Redroad and starring Amy Smart, Joshua Leonard, Christian Campbell, Victoria Smurfit, Natalie Imbruglia, Will McCormack, Johnny Sequoyah and Freidenberg.

<i>Line of Duty</i> (film) 2019 American action film

Line of Duty is a 2019 American action thriller film directed by Steven C. Miller and written by Jeremy Drysdale. It stars Aaron Eckhart, Courtney Eaton, Dina Meyer, Ben McKenzie and Giancarlo Esposito.

<i>Tiger Lily Road</i> 2013 American film

Tiger Lily Road is a 2013 American comedy film written and directed by Michael Medeiros and starring Ilvi Dulack, Tom Pelphrey and Karen Chamberlain.

<i>This Is the Year</i> 2020 film by David Henrie

This Is the Year is a 2020 American teen comedy-drama film directed by David Henrie, starring Lorenzo James Henrie, Vanessa Marano, Alyssa Jirrels, Bug Hall, Jake Short, Jeff Garlin, and Gregg Sulkin. It is Henrie's feature film directorial debut and Selena Gomez serves as an executive producer.

<i>The Locksmith</i> (film) 2023 film directed by Nicolas Harvard

The Locksmith is a 2023 American thriller film directed by Nicolas Harvard in his feature directorial debut. John Glosser, Joe Russo, Chris LaMont, and Ben Kabialis wrote the screenplay based on an original story by Blair Kroeber.

References

  1. "'Affluenza': Long Islander Kevin Asch's teenage 'Great Gatsby'". Newsday . Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  2. Siegel, Tatiana (July 11, 2012). "'Glee' Star Grant Gustin Lands Lead in Indie Film 'Affluenza' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  3. "Pair contract for 'Affluenza' | Variety". Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  4. "'Affluenza' Premiere at the SVA Theater". Gotham . Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  5. "Affluenza (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  6. "Affluenza". Metacritic . Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  7. Barker, Andrew (July 11, 2014). "Film Review: 'Affluenza'". Variety . Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  8. Scheck, Frank (July 9, 2014). "'Affluenza': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  9. Kenigsberg, Ben (July 10, 2014). "If Gatsby Were Coming of Age Today ..." The New York Times . Retrieved August 10, 2014.