The Man from Elysian Fields (2001)

Director:

George Hickenlooper

Writer (WGA):

Phillip Jayson Lasker (written by)

Release Date:

28 November 2002 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Pleasure is his business...Call him old-fashioned.

Plot:

A failed novelist's inability to pay the bills strains relations with his wife and leads him to work at an escort service where he becomes entwined with a wealthy woman whose husband is a successful writer.

Plot Keywords:

Male Escort | Vandalism | Flashback Sequence | Money Problems | Singer Acting

Cast

Andy Garcia	...	Byron
Mick Jagger	...	Luther
Julianna Margulies	...	Dena
Olivia Williams	...	Andrea
James Coburn	...	Alcott
Michael Des Barres	...	Nigel
Richard Bradford	...	Edward Rodgers
Anjelica Huston	...	Jennifer Adler
Xander Berkeley	...	Virgil Koster
Sherman Howard	...	Paul Pearson
Joe Santos	...	Domenico
Susan Barnes	...	Attractive Woman
Tracey Walter	...	Bartender
Asha Siewkumar	...	Receptionist
Kerry Li	...	Restaurant Patron

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexual content.

Runtime:

106 min | Germany:97 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | Netherlands:6 | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | New Zealand:M | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:R (certificate #38183)

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

CineSon Entertainment

Trivia:

Production was limited to 30 days because the financing ran out.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the book signing near the end of the film, Byron signs the name "Georgette" in the book for the woman named Yasmine. The next woman in line reveals her name to be Georgette.

Quotes:

Luther Fox: I don't know why they call them outstanding checks... as if not being paid is somehow a good thing.

Movie Connections:

References The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Just a Gigolo

This is a chick flick. But it's one of the most intelligent that I've ever seen. It makes one think, not merely fantasize or get all emotional.

We've seen films and documentaries about female escort services. This is the first one I know about a male service. It calls to mind the old song Just a Gigolo.

Andy Garcia plays a talented but unsuccessful writer. His novels, admired by the critics, somehow don't sell. Desperate to support his young family, he feels compelled to find some other line of work.

And then there's the sight of Mick Jagger in a three-piece suit -- almost worth the price of admission. It's a fine, nuanced performance. It seems consistent with the Jagger persona, in an odd way.

If you want quality drama devoid of the usual chick flick cliches, this is for you. That is, if it's playing in your town.