The Last Producer

Last updated

The Last Producer
The Last Producer.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Burt Reynolds
Written byClyde Hayes
Produced byDaniel Bigel
Michael Mailer
StarringBurt Reynolds
Rod Steiger
Benjamin Bratt
Ann-Margret
Cinematography Nick McLean
Edited byJennifer Jean Cacavas
Tod Feuerman
Music byPeter Manning Robinson
Release date
  • February 9, 2001 (2001-02-09)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Last Producer is a 2000 American drama film directed by and starring Burt Reynolds. It also featured Sean Astin, Ann-Margret, Lauren Holly, Rod Steiger, and Benjamin Bratt. It was also referred to as The Final Hit in final packaging and promotional materials. It is the final film to be directed by Reynolds before his death in 2018.

Contents

Plot

Sonny Wexler is an aging, washed-up, veteran film producer with a pill-popping wife. In his heyday, Sonny produced an Oscar nominated movie, but now he finds he's a "has been" in a Hollywood that's been taken over by a younger generation, personified by studio executive Damon Black and foreign investors.

Knowing that he is soon going to die or be forgotten, he decides to wager all his strength in one last movie, something for which he can be remembered. His chance comes in the form of a brilliant screenplay optioned from a promising young writer. But when Black undercuts the deal and eases Sonny out, Sonny has seventy-two hours to come up with enough money to purchase the script for himself. In desperation, he turns to the mafia to borrow the $50,000 he needs.

Cast

Production

The film was financed by the Kushner Locke Company. [1]

Filming started May 1999. [2]

Home media

The film was released on home video in Iceland and Argentina in 2000 before airing on television in the U.S. in 2001. It was later re-titled The Last Hit for its U.S. home video release.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Steiger</span> American actor (1925–2002)

Rodney Stephen Steiger was an American actor, noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often volatile and crazed characters. Ranked as "one of Hollywood's most charismatic and dynamic stars", he is closely associated with the art of method acting, embodying the characters he played, which at times led to clashes with directors and co-stars. He starred as Marlon Brando's mobster brother Charley in On the Waterfront (1954), the title character Sol Nazerman in The Pawnbroker (1964) which won him the Silver Bear for Best Actor, and as police chief Bill Gillespie opposite Sidney Poitier in the film In the Heat of the Night (1967) which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

The year 1978 in film involved some significant events.

The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burt Reynolds</span> American actor (1936–2018)

Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. was an American actor, considered a sex symbol and icon of 1970s American popular culture.

The Kid or The Kids may refer to:

<i>Rounders</i> (film) 1998 American drama film by John Dahl

Rounders is a 1998 American drama film about the underground world of high-stakes poker, directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton. The story follows two friends who need to win at high-stakes poker to quickly pay off a large debt. The term rounder refers to a person traveling around from city to city seeking high-stakes card games.

<i>The Longest Yard</i> (1974 film) 1974 film by Robert Aldrich

The Longest Yard is a 1974 American prison sports comedy film directed by Robert Aldrich, written by Tracy Keenan Wynn, based on a story by producer Albert S. Ruddy, and starring Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Mike Conrad and James Hampton. The film was released as "The Mean Machine" in the United Kingdom and South Africa. The film follows a former NFL player recruiting a group of prisoners and playing football against their guards. It features many real-life football players, including Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke.

The Bard (<i>The Twilight Zone</i>) 18th episode of the 4th season of The Twilight Zone

"The Bard" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It was the final episode of The Twilight Zone to be one hour long. A direct satire of the American television industry, the episode features a parody of Marlon Brando by Burt Reynolds, and concerns an inept screenwriter, who through the use of black magic, employs William Shakespeare as his ghostwriter.

<i>The End</i> (1978 film) 1978 black comedy-buddy film directed by Burt Reynolds

The End is a 1978 American black comedy film directed by and starring Burt Reynolds, written by Jerry Belson, and with music composed by Paul Williams. The film also stars Dom DeLuise along with Sally Field, Strother Martin, David Steinberg, Joanne Woodward, Norman Fell, Myrna Loy, Kristy McNichol, Pat O'Brien, Robby Benson and Carl Reiner.

<i>Dinner for Five</i> American TV series or program

Dinner for Five is a television program in which actor and film director Jon Favreau and a revolving guest list of celebrities eat, drink and talk. The program aired on the Independent Film Channel with Favreau the co-executive producer with Peter Billingsley.

<i>Deal</i> (2008 film) 2008 film by Gil Cates Jr.

Deal is a 2008 poker drama film starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Shannon Elizabeth. It follows the former poker player tutoring a younger player (Harrison). The film's climax is a fictional World Poker Tour championship.

<i>Heat</i> (1986 film) 1987 film by Dick Richards, Jerry Jameson

Heat is a 1986 American neo-noir dramatic action thriller film about an ex-mercenary working as a bodyguard in Las Vegas. The film was written by William Goldman, based on his 1985 novel of the same name. Heat was directed by Dick Richards and Jerry Jameson. The film stars Burt Reynolds, Karen Young, Peter MacNicol, Howard Hesseman, Neill Barry and Joseph Mascolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Hanover High School</span> Public school in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

New Hanover High School is a high school located in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. New Hanover High is the oldest existing high school in Wilmington. The original building was designed by William J. Wilkins. Construction started in 1919, and was completed in 1922. New Hanover High underwent a complete renovation at the start of the 21st century. It is a part of New Hanover County Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond Forchion</span> American actor

Raymond Forchion is an American actor, writer, producer, and director who has appeared on film, television and stage. Aside from several pilots and TV movies, he has co-starred on series such as Burn Notice, Numb3rs, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Femme Fatales, Southland, Will & Grace, The Golden Girls, Wiseguy and In the Heat of the Night. He has had recurring roles on General Hospital and Miami Vice. His film credits include: Flight of the Navigator (1986), Point Break (1991) and Masterblaster (1987).

<i>The Pawnbroker</i> (film) 1964 film by Sidney Lumet

The Pawnbroker is a 1964 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Rod Steiger, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Brock Peters, Jaime Sánchez and Morgan Freeman in his feature film debut. The screenplay was an adaptation by Morton S. Fine and David Friedkin from the novel of the same name by Edward Lewis Wallant.

<i>Breaking In</i> (1989 film) 1989 film by Bill Forsyth

Breaking In is a 1989 American crime comedy film directed by Bill Forsyth, written by John Sayles, and starring Burt Reynolds, Casey Siemaszko and Lorraine Toussaint. The film follows professional small-time criminals as they live and practice their trades.

Gil Cates Jr. is an American producer and director, and former actor. His 2006 documentary film Life After Tomorrow, which he co-produced and directed with Julie Stevens, won awards for both Best Documentary and Best Director at the Phoenix Film Festival and had its premiere on Showtime. He is the executive director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Steiger on screen and stage</span>

Rod Steiger was an American actor who had an extensive career in film, television, and stage. He made his stage debut in 1946 with Civic Repertory Theatre's production of the melodrama Curse you, Jack Dalton!. Four years later, he played onstage in a production of An Enemy of the People at the Music Box Theatre. A small role in Fred Zinnemann's Teresa (1951) marked his film debut. In 1953, he played the title role in the teleplay "Marty" to critical praise. His breakthrough role came with the crime drama On the Waterfront (1954), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination, and subsequent appearance in Fred Zinnemann's musical Oklahoma!.

<i>The Last Movie Star</i> 2017 film by Adam Rifkin

The Last Movie Star is a 2017 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Adam Rifkin, and starring Burt Reynolds, Ariel Winter, Clark Duke, Ellar Coltrane and Chevy Chase.

References

  1. The Kushner-Locke Company Reports Results of Second Quarter of Fiscal 1999 Business & Entertainment Editors. Business Wire7 May 1999: 1.
  2. PALTROW AND AFFLECK MAY REUNITE - IN FILM FOR MIRAMAX, THAT IS: Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith. Daily News 7 May 1999: L6.