Alex of Venice

Last updated

Alex of Venice
Alex of Venice POSTER.jpg
Directed by Chris Messina
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Doug Emmett
Edited byAmy P. McGrath
Music by David Wingo
Production
company
Electric City Entertainment
Distributed by Screen Media Films
Release dates
  • April 18, 2014 (2014-04-18)(Tribeca)
  • April 17, 2015 (2015-04-17)(United States)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$588 [1]

Alex of Venice is a 2014 American drama film directed by Chris Messina in his directorial debut. It is written by Jessica Goldberg, Katie Nehra, and Justin Shilton. The film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Don Johnson, Katie Nehra, Chris Messina, Derek Luke, Skylar Gaertner. [2] The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 18, 2014, and has expanded to a few other film festivals. [3]

Contents

The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand beginning on April 17, 2015. [4]

Plot

Alex, a young environmental lawyer in Venice, California, is working hard to support her family. Her stay-at-home husband George, an artist, decides he's unhappy and can't continue taking care of their shy school-aged son Dakota or Alex's aging father Roger. When George leaves Alex, Roger invites her wild younger sister Lily, a clothing designer, to stay with them and help look after Dakota.

Alex needs to deal with an impending legal case against Frank, a property developer with whom she has a brief sexual relationship, as well as her father's increasing forgetfulness. Roger, a former television actor who doesn't want to accept his declining acuity, is cast as the aged manservant Firs in a stage production of The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, but he struggles to remember his lines and cues. He also begins to demonstrate confusion, so his daughters take him to a doctor who gives him a brain scan.

Alex loses the legal case, and at a party afterward she takes the drug ecstasy and becomes furious with Lily when she learns that Lily has not taken Dakota to school for a week. Alex calls George and tells him that it's not safe for her to drive; he finds her high and takes her home. The next day Lily apologizes for letting Dakota skip classes. Alex forgives her and thanks her, and she tells her that George is not coming back to her but that she wants to spend more time with Dakota. George tells Dakota he will continue to be his father but won't stay with Alex. Alex tells Dakota that she and George still love him and that this will never change. Later the family attends Roger's performance, which goes well.

Cast

Production

Casting

Mary Elizabeth Winstead was cast in the film on June 12, 2013. She said of the script, "I immediately loved it. It was one of those things where I cried like 5 times when I first read it. I just felt really connected to the role and thought it was so beautifully written." [5]

Messina approached Don Johnson to play the role of Alex's father Roger. Johnson said he "wasn't initially won over to play Alex's father," but "Chris wouldn't leave me alone – he came up to my house in North Los Angeles, and I wasn't really looking to work, so I dragged him to my boys' basketball game and made him watch, and he feigned interest." Johnson ultimately agreed, saying he was "intrigued by Messina's infectious passion" and "the material resonated with me because it had different tempos and rhythms." [6]

Upon casting himself in the film, Messina said, "I thought there were a lot of other actors who could've done a better job [...] I was scared to do both (acting and directing), but I wanted to do it to learn what it’d be like. Maybe two weeks out, I was trying to convince Jamie [Patricof, producer] to hire somebody else!" Producers Katie Nehra and Justin Shilton had wanted Messina for the role years ago. "He was our only George," said Shilton. [6]

Filming

Shooting began on June 17, 2013, [7] and wrapped on July 17. [8] Filming took place on location in Venice Beach. [9]

Messina has stated he was inspired and influenced by several filmmakers that he has worked for before. "I would say Woody Allen and Sam Mendes were huge inspirations. [Woody] casts his movies really well and then he kind of lets you go. [...] With Sam Mendes, he said something that I quote constantly. He told me that every actor comes with a gift, and it's the director’s job to let that gift out." [10] Messina has also named Kramer vs. Kramer , Hannah and Her Sisters and the work of John Cassavetes as "models for the film's quiet naturalism". [11]

Messina directed the film back-to-back while shooting The Mindy Project . Of the experience, he said, "That was maybe the dumbest thing – it was grueling, and I would never do that again [...] I’d be on set at Mindy during the day and then editing at night, and constantly on the phone during breaks." [6]

Release

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 18, 2014. [3] Alex of Venice was also shown at the San Francisco International Film Festival on May 8, 2014 [12] and at the Seattle International Film Festival on June 6, 2014. [13]

In August 2014, Alex of Venice was picked up by Screen Media Films for release in early 2015. The film was screened in a limited release and through video on demand beginning on April 17, 2015. [14]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 74% of 31 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10.The website's consensus reads: "Alex of Venice does immensely likable things with its overly familiar parts, adding up to an agreeable calling card for debuting director Chris Messina." [15] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 56 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [16]

Above all, the cast's performance has been highly praised by critics, with Winstead prominently singled out. Ronnie Schieb of Variety said, "Winstead gives an extraordinary performance in this uneven but pleasurably mellow indie." [17] Yazdi Pithavala of Moviewallas.com added, "A great deal of the film’s success lies in the casting of Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the lead." [18] Screen Invasion noted, "Winstead is quietly stunning in all of Alex's various circumstances, from bewildered, overwhelmed and frazzled, to focused, confident and accepting." [19]

Johnson also received praise for his performance, with Lisa Rainwater of Galo Magazine saying, "Johnson's ability to slip into the skin of his characters...has been underrated far too long." [20] Messina's directing has also been commended. The Arts Guild said, "Messina has created a film that does successfully look at a [character's] growth out of chaos". [21]

One reviewer complained that the script "leaves many details behind" and that "the audience is left questioning the plot from the get go"; but also felt that "the performances... make up for the film's ambiguity." [22]

Related Research Articles

<i>Final Destination 3</i> 2006 American supernatural horror film

Final Destination 3 is a 2006 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wong. A standalone sequel to Final Destination 2 (2003), it is the third installment in the Final Destination film series. Wong and Glen Morgan, who worked on the franchise's first film, wrote the screenplay. Final Destination 3 stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ryan Merriman, and takes place years after the first film. Winstead plays Wendy Christensen, a high school graduate who has a premonition that a roller coaster she and her classmates are riding will derail. Although she saves some of them, Death begins hunting the survivors. Wendy realizes photographs she took at the amusement park contain clues about her classmates' deaths. With survivor and friend Kevin Fischer (Merriman), Wendy tries to use this knowledge to save the rest of the survivors and ruin Death's scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Elizabeth Winstead</span> American actress (born 1984)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an American actress. Her first major role was that of Jessica Bennett on the NBC soap opera Passions (1999–2000). She came to wider attention for her roles in the horror series Wolf Lake (2001–2002), the horror films Final Destination 3 (2006) and Death Proof (2007), and the slasher film Black Christmas (2006); by the end of the 2000s she had gained a reputation as a scream queen.

<i>Roger Dodger</i> (film) 2002 American film

Roger Dodger is a 2002 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Dylan Kidd. It stars Campbell Scott, Jesse Eisenberg, Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Beals. The film follows Roger Swanson (Scott), a womanizing ad executive, who takes his nephew Nick (Eisenberg) out for a night in the city after the young man asks him for advice on seducing women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Messina</span> American actor and director (born 1974)

Chris Messina is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. He is best known for starring as Danny Castellano in the series The Mindy Project (2012–2017), which earned him two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakota Johnson</span> American actress (born 1989)

Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress. The daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, Johnson made her film debut at age ten with a minor role in Crazy in Alabama (1999), directed by her then-stepfather Antonio Banderas, and also starring her mother. After graduating from high school, she began auditioning for roles in Los Angeles and was cast in a minor part in The Social Network (2010). Johnson had her breakthrough playing the lead role of Anastasia Steele in the erotic Fifty Shades film series (2015–2018). In 2016, she received a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination and was featured in a Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

<i>Death Proof</i> 2007 American film

Death Proof is a 2007 American slasher film written, directed, co-produced, and shot by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Kurt Russell as a stuntman who murders young women with modified cars he purports to be "death-proof". Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Zoë Bell co-star as the women he targets.

Jennifer Todd is an American film and television producer. She has a first look film deal at MGM Studios and is partnered with Thomas Kail in an exclusive television deal with 20th Television. She co-produced the 89th and 90th Academy Awards with Michael De Luca. She was nominated for an Emmy for producing both shows. She previously served as President of Pearl Street Films, the production company of actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

<i>Black Swan</i> (film) 2010 film by Darren Aronofsky

Black Swan is a 2010 American psychological horror film directed by Darren Aronofsky from a screenplay by Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin, and Andres Heinz, based on a story by Heinz. The film stars Natalie Portman in the lead role, with Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder in supporting roles. The plot revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by the company of New York City Ballet. The production requires a ballerina to play the innocent and fragile White Swan, for which the committed dancer Nina Sayers (Portman) is a perfect fit, as well as the dark and sensual Black Swan, which are qualities better embodied by the new rival Lily (Kunis). Nina is overwhelmed by a feeling of immense pressure when she finds herself competing for the role, causing her to lose her tenuous grip on reality and descend into madness.

<i>Bully</i> (2011 film) 2011 film by Lee Hirsch

Bully is a 2011 American documentary film directed by Lee Hirsch and produced by Hirsch and Cynthia Lowen. It documents the lives of five students who face bullying on a daily basis in U.S. schools. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2011.

<i>Smashed</i> (film) 2012 film directed by James Ponsoldt

Smashed is a 2012 American drama film directed by James Ponsoldt, written by Ponsoldt and Susan Burke, and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul. Winstead and Paul play a married couple, Kate and Charlie Hannah, both alcoholics. After a series of embarrassing incidents caused by her drinking habit, Kate decides to get sober with the help of a coworker and a sponsor from Alcoholics Anonymous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gia Coppola</span> American film director and screenwriter

Gian-Carla Coppola is an American film director and screenwriter. She made her directorial feature film debut with Palo Alto in 2013. She is a member of the Coppola family.

<i>Palo Alto</i> (2013 film) 2013 American film

Palo Alto is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Gia Coppola, based on James Franco's 2010 short story collection of the same name. The film stars Franco alongside Emma Roberts, Jack Kilmer, Nat Wolff and Zoe Levin. It concerns a group of disaffected teenagers in a California suburb dealing with lust, boredom, and self-destruction. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2013 and later had a limited theatrical release on May 9, 2014.

<i>Faults</i> (film) 2014 American film

Faults is a 2014 dark comedy psychological thriller film written and directed by Riley Stearns in his feature film debut. The film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, Beth Grant, Chris Ellis and Lance Reddick. The film premiered at the 2014 SXSW on March 9, 2014, and was picked up by Screen Media Films for theatrical release on March 6, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Cuthrell</span> American film producer

Elizabeth Cuthrell is a writer, producer and co-founder of Evenstar Films, a New York City-based Production company. She is a member of Producers Guild of America.

<i>Swiss Army Man</i> 2016 film by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan

Swiss Army Man is a 2016 American surrealist comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan in their feature directorial debuts. The film stars Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinn Shephard</span> American actress, film producer and director

Quinn Shephard is an American actress, film director, producer, screenwriter and film editor. She played the roles of Donna Malone in the Christmas comedy Unaccompanied Minors and Morgan Sanders in the television series Hostages. In 2017, her feature film directorial debut, Blame, screened at several film festivals and earned critical attention.

<i>Blame</i> (2017 film) 2017 American film

Blame is a 2017 American teen psychological drama film written, co-produced, edited, and directed by Quinn Shephard, who also stars alongside Nadia Alexander, Tate Donovan, and Chris Messina. The film is Shephard's feature film directorial debut. It screened at several film festivals, including at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it was nominated for several awards and won the award for Best Actress in a US Narrative Feature.

<i>All About Nina</i> 2018 comedy-drama film

All About Nina is a 2018 comedy-drama film, written and directed by Eva Vives, in her feature directorial debut. It stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Common, Chace Crawford, Jay Mohr, Kate del Castillo and Beau Bridges.

<i>Little Woods</i> 2018 film

Little Woods is a 2018 crime drama film, written and directed by Nia DaCosta in her feature directorial debut. The film stars Tessa Thompson, Lily James, Luke Kirby, James Badge Dale and Lance Reddick.

<i>The Nowhere Inn</i> 2020 American film

The Nowhere Inn is a 2020 American mockumentary psychological thriller-comedy film directed by Bill Benz from a screenplay by Annie Clark in her film debut and Carrie Brownstein. It stars Clark, Brownstein and Dakota Johnson.

References

  1. ↑ "Alex of Venice". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Alex of Venice". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Alex of Venice". Tribeca Film Festival. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chris Messina Reveals New Movie's 'Mindy Project' Connection — Plus, Check Out the 'Alex of Venice' Poster". ET Online . Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ Chang, Kee (February 23, 2015). "Q&A with Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Anthem Magazine". anthemmagazine.com.
  6. 1 2 3 Lee, Ashley (April 21, 2014). "Tribeca: Chris Messina Talks 'Grueling' Juggle of Directing 'Alex of Venice' and Filming 'Mindy Project'". The Hollywood Reporter .
  7. ↑ @katienehra (June 17, 2013). "5 yrs of werrrrk and here we..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ @mewins (July 2013). "Had such a blast shooting this film. Going to miss you guys! #untitledchrismessinaproject". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014 – via Instagram.
  9. ↑ Morales, Wilson (April 24, 2014). "Tribeca 2014 – Derek Luke Talks 'Alex Of Venice'". blackfilm.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ Crow, David (April 25, 2014). "Interview With Chris Messina On Directing Alex Of Venice". Den of Geek.
  11. ↑ Pond, Steve (April 19, 2014). "Tribeca: Patrick Stewart and Mary Elizabeth Winstead Steal the Show on Night 3". TheWrap . Archived from the original on February 11, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Alex of Venice | SFFS". San Francisco Film Society. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ "2014 Seattle International Film Festival". Seattle Film Festival. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Chris Messina's Directorial Debut Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead Lands U.S. Distribution". TheWrap. September 3, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Alex of Venice". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved June 16, 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  16. ↑ "Alex of Venice". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  17. ↑ Scheib, Ronnie (April 24, 2014). "Tribeca Film Review: 'Alex of Venice'". Variety.
  18. ↑ "2014 Tribeca Film Festival Review: Alex Of Venice". Moviewallas. April 26, 2014. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ Katz, Sarah (April 30, 2014). "Alex of Venice – TFF 2014 Movie Review". Screen Invasion. Archived from the original on May 1, 2014.
  20. ↑ Rainwater, Lisa (June 9, 2014). "Tribeca Reviews: The Subtleties of 'Alex of Venice'". GALO Magazine.
  21. ↑ "Tribeca 2014: Alex of Venice - Film Review". The Arts Guild. April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Tribeca Reviews: "Loitering with Intent" and "Alex of Venice," Two Problematic Dramedies". Movie Mezzanine. April 22, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.