Such Good People

Last updated
Such Good People
Such Good People.jpg
Directed by Stewart Wade
Screenplay by David Michael Barrett
Story by David Michael Barrett &
Greg Sterling
Produced byDavid Avallone
David Michael Barrett
Stewart Wade
Starring Michael Urie

Randy Harrison
James Urbaniak
Scott Wolf
Ana Ortiz
Carrie Wiita
Rick Overton
Kate Reinders
Lance Bass
Tom Lenk
Mitch Silpa
Alec Mapa
Drew Droege
Tania Gunadi
Kee Chan

Contents

Forrest Wheeler
CinematographyPierluigi Malavasi
Edited byDavid Avallone
Music byJonathan Dinerstein
Production
company
Such Good Productions
Distributed byBreaking Glass Entertainment
Release dates
  • May 9, 2014 (2014-05-09)(MiFo)
  • April 14, 2015 (2015-04-14)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Such Good People is a 2014 American feature film comedy from director by Stewart Wade, screenwriter David Michael Barrett, and editor David Avallone, who produced the film under their banner, Such Good Productions. The picture had its world premiere at MiFo: Miami Fort Lauderdale LGBT Film Festival on May 9, 2014 at the historic Colony Theater on Lincoln Road.

Such Good People tells the story of Richard (Michael Urie) and Alex (Randy Harrison) who, while house-sitting for rich humanitarian friends, find a huge stash of cash in the residence. When the homeowners die in a car crash, altruism and greed collide as Richard and Alex try to decide what to do with the money.

Plot

Young couple Richard (Michael Urie) and Alex (Randy Harrison) want what everyone wants: career, kids and a gorgeous home in L.A. But it all seems so impossible until they crash a party at Edendale, their dream house, owned by Jake (Scott Wolf) and Chloe (Kate Reinders), who are hosting a fundraiser for the orphans of Bhutan. Richard and Alex hit it off with the hosts, and while house-sitting for them, discover a secret room filled with a million in cash.

When Jake and Chloe die in a "rickshaw accident" overseas, Richard and Alex worry the cash might not go to the orphans, so they break into Edendale and take the money. They earnestly try to donate the money to Jigme Wangchuck (Alec Mapa), the deputy ambassador of the Embassy of Bhutan, and his assistant Priti Khagda (Tania Gunadi). But the Embassy officials, thinking they're being set up, refuse the money. So Richard and Alex deposit the cash, find another charity, and end up writing a check to "The Porpoise Purpose," headed by Stuart Hendron (Lance Bass) and his assistant Olivier (Mitch Silpa).

Just then, they learn from their Realtor, Logan, (Tom Lenk), that Edendale is now on the market. They really want it but have given the money to the porpoise charity—so they stop payment on the check and use the money as down payment on the house, intending to repay the charity by taking out a second mortgage once escrow closes.

But tough yet savvy LAPD Detective Dianne Kershman (Ana Ortiz) sees things differently. She tells Richard and Alex that Jake and Chloe were in fact murdered. Worried the killers must be after the money, they panic and confide in Alex's half-sister, Paige (Carrie Wiita) and her husband, Cooper (James Urbaniak) who are therapists and RX drug dealers. Paige and Cooper realize the money Jake had owed them somehow ended up with Richard and Alex, whom they convince to take out the second mortgage—in cash. And after an ill-fated labradoodle kidnapping and hostage stand-off, Paige and Cooper discover the money hidden in the house and take it.

Shattered, Richard and Alex do in fact sell Edendale. They repay the Porpoise Purpose, as Det. Kershman had pretty much guaranteed jail-time if they didn't. Richard and Alex then learn from Jake and Chloe's questionable Buddhist lawyer Sidney (Rick Overton) that they were in possession of a rare Bhutanese artifact of Jake and Chloe's, the Kuntu Zangpo, worth $10 million, which Paige and Cooper also took. They interrupt Paige and Cooper's black market sale to art dealer Clay Hampton (Drew Droege), and get them—and Sidney—to confess. Det. Kershman rushes in and arrests Paige and Cooper for, among other things, drug dealing. She thanks Richard and Alex for helping with the sting.

The chastened couple flies to Bhutan and returns the $10 million tchotchke to the orphanage, run by Buddhist monk Chana Dorje (Kee Chan) and they finally get their wish—they adopt a young boy, Kuenphay (Forrest Wheeler). They couldn't be happier. Well, maybe they could—if they had a house.

Cast

Casting

Producers David Avallone, David Michael Barrett and Stewart Wade cast the movie with actors well known to LGBT audiences. Michael Urie, who plays “Richard,” was one of the stars of Ugly Betty. Several cast members of Such Good People appeared on Ugly Betty, including Ana Ortiz (also from Devious Maids ), comedian Alec Mapa (who also appeared in Stewart Wade's film Tru Loved ), and Broadway star Kate Reinders. Randy Harrison, who plays “Alex,” is best known for starring in the Showtime series, Queer as Folk. Other cast members well known to LGBT audiences are Lance Bass, (former member of NSYNC), Mitch Silpa, (Bridesmaids), Tom Lenk ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer ), and, Drew Droege. Additionally, the movie has comedians James Urbaniak ( Henry Fool ), Carrie Wiita, Tania Gunadi and improv performer Rick Overton (Groundhog Day). Forrest Wheeler from Fresh Off the Boat and Scott Wolf from Party of Five , join Kee Chan (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith) to round out the cast. Notable cameos include: Adam Huss (Power), Adam Bucci (Eastsiders), Jason-Shane Scott ( One Life to Live ), Jeff Marchelletta, Ryan Spahn, John Halbach (Eastsiders), Allison Lane ( Going Down in LA-LA Land ) and Mario Diaz (Club King). Editor-producer David Avallone also makes a cameo, in the role of “Sketchy Man.”

Production

After a Kickstarter campaign to raise initial funds, Such Good People went into production on May 22, 2013 for a 16-day shoot in Los Angeles. In addition to director Stewart Wade, screenwriter David Michael Barrett and editor David Avallone, other key members of the production team were cinematographer Pierluigi Malavasi, composer Jonathan Dinerstein, and line producer Christine Triebel and Production Manager was Nicole Ettinger. Production Designer was Roman Udalov, Art Direction was by Dare Williams, Costume Design was by Cari Avila, Hair and Makeup was by Kat Laskey. The "Kuntu Zangpo" was created and designed by Harwood Lee, of Commercial Costumes. The house prominently featured in the movie, "Edendale," is in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, and is owned by writer/producer David Michael Barrett.

Distribution

At the conclusion of the worldwide festival run of Such Good People, the film sold to Breaking Glass Entertainment who are distributing the movie on DVD, Blu-ray as well as streaming online streaming platforms Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube and Google Play Movies and others all over the world.

Related Research Articles

<i>Undressed</i> American anthology series

Undressed is an American anthology series that aired on MTV from July 26, 1999, to September 5, 2002. The series was created and executive produced by British director Roland Joffé.

<i>The Big Chill</i> (film) 1983 film by Lawrence Kasdan

The Big Chill is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring an ensemble cast consisting of Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams. The plot focuses on a group of baby boomers who attended the University of Michigan, reuniting after 15 years when their friend Alex dies by suicide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Weeks</span> Musical artist (b. 1947)

Willie Weeks is an American bass guitarist. He has gained fame performing with famous musicians in a wide variety of genres. He has been one of the most in-demand session musicians throughout his career. Weeks has also gained fame touring with many of rock's heavyweights throughout his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendon Urie</span> American singer and musician (born 1987)

Brendon Boyd Urie is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the former lead vocalist and frontman of Panic! at the Disco, the only constant member throughout the band's 19-year run.

The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared in at least one game for the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, formerly known as the Devil Rays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloe Bruce</span> Soap opera character

Chloe Bruce is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Mikyla Dodd. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 March 2000. The character is noted for her storylines involving self-image issues and acting as the "agony aunt" within the serial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal</span> Award

The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal was a commemorative medal awarded in New Zealand in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and was awarded to 3,632 people.

<i>Hit and Run</i> (2012 film) 2012 American film

Hit and Run is a 2012 American action comedy film written by Dax Shepard, with David Palmer and Shepard co-directing. The film stars Shepard and Kristen Bell, with Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Arnold, and Bradley Cooper, and follows a man who has been placed in Federal Witness Protection going on the run with his girlfriend to escape a mobster. It was released on August 22, 2012, received mixed reviews from critics, and grossed $16 million.

The YoungStar Awards, presented by The Hollywood Reporter, honored young American actors and actresses from ages 6–18 in their work in film, television, stage and music. Winners were chosen via a poll of 3,500 entertainment industry insiders who read The Hollywood Reporter. The awards ceremony was held from 1995 until 2000; there was no ceremony in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money in the Bank (2014)</span> WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event

The 2014 Money in the Bank was the fifth annual Money in the Bank professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It took place on June 29, 2014, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. This was the first Money in the Bank event to livestream on the WWE Network, which launched in February.

<i>Death of a Bachelor</i> 2016 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Death of a Bachelor is the fifth studio album by Panic! at the Disco, and their first as a solo project, released on January 15, 2016 by Fueled by Ramen and DCD2. It is the follow-up to the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013), with the entire album written and recorded by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie, who collaborated with other writers including Jake Sinclair, Morgan Kibby, Lolo, and Sam Hollander. It is the band's first album to not feature drummer Spencer Smith and also follows bassist Dallon Weekes' departure from the official line-up, subsequently becoming a touring member once again.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Michael Barrett</span> American screenwriter and producer

David Michael Barrett is an American screenwriter and film producer in Los Angeles, California.

References

  1. "Exclusive: Watch the Trailer for New Film Starring Michael Urie & Randy Harrison | Out Magazine". out.com. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  2. "WATCH: Gay Dream Team of Michael Urie, Randy Harrison in Such Good People | Advocate.com". advocate.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  3. "Michael Urie And Randy Harrison Team Up In 'Such Good People' (VIDEO)". huffingtonpost.com. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  4. "Michael Urie Stars in SUCH GOOD PEOPLE, Out on DVD & VOD 4/14". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.