Lawrence Michael Levine | |
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![]() Levine interviewed about Green in 2011 | |
Born | 1976 (age 48–49) |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, editor, producer, writer |
Years active | 2004-present |
Spouse | Sophia Takal |
Lawrence Michael Levine (born 1976) [1] is an American actor, writer, and filmmaker, best known for writing and directing the films Gabi on the Roof in July , [2] Wild Canaries , and Black Bear .
In 2005, Levine wrote, produced, and directed his debut film Territory, based on his stage play of the same name. Critic Aaron West of eFilmCritic wrote of the film, "The off-Broadway version is undoubtedly the more appropriate medium for this story, and if given a choice, I would rather see it there. Still, I cannot help but applaud Levine for trying something a little different. His characters are extraordinarily ordinary, and his tightly wound screenplay reveals their (and our) brightest and darkest sides at various times." [3]
In 2009, he wrote and directed the short films The Empress and Fat Friend.
His next film, 2010's romantic drama/comedy Gabi on the Roof in July , received a positive critical response [4] and was praised by Eric Kohn of Indiewire , who called the film a "lightly amusing comedy". [5]
In 2014, Levine wrote, directed, and starred in the mystery/comedy Wild Canaries . The film received a positive response from critics and was praised by The Village Voice as being "...the closest a contemporary film has come to replicating the unbridled jubilance of a classic screwball comedy". [6] His most recent film, Black Bear , stars Christopher Abbott, Sarah Gadon and Aubrey Plaza. [7]
In addition to his own films, Levine has also acted in such pictures as Richard's Wedding , Takal's Green, All the Light in the Sky , and V/H/S/2 (segment "Tape 49"), and appears in the second season of the anthology series Easy .
Levine is married to fellow filmmaker Sophia Takal, with whom he has collaborated on several films. [6] In 2013, Jordan Zakarin of The Hollywood Reporter named Levine and Takal two of New York's next big independent filmmakers. [8]