The New Yorker makes no effort to sound Canadian or look like real life Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser, but he still steals the show
A dispute between a Canadian farmer and an agribusiness behemoth over intellectual property rights might sound a trifle dull, but Percy vs Goliath just goes to show casting can make all the difference. That’s not to say the film has necessarily made a convincing casting choice by hiring New Yorker Christopher Walken to play real life Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser. Unlike Matt Damon, say, who put on weight and nailed a midwestern accent for his turn as another guy mixed up in a dispute with a sinister agricultural organisation in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant! (which this overlaps with somewhat), Walken makes no effort to sound Canadian or even look like the real-life figure he’s playing. Nevertheless, Walken keeps you watching thanks to his inherent charisma,...
A dispute between a Canadian farmer and an agribusiness behemoth over intellectual property rights might sound a trifle dull, but Percy vs Goliath just goes to show casting can make all the difference. That’s not to say the film has necessarily made a convincing casting choice by hiring New Yorker Christopher Walken to play real life Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser. Unlike Matt Damon, say, who put on weight and nailed a midwestern accent for his turn as another guy mixed up in a dispute with a sinister agricultural organisation in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant! (which this overlaps with somewhat), Walken makes no effort to sound Canadian or even look like the real-life figure he’s playing. Nevertheless, Walken keeps you watching thanks to his inherent charisma,...
- 9/20/2021
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Photo: ‘Percy Vs Goliath’/Amazon ‘Percy Vs Goliath’ is a live adaptation of the true story of a court case involving a small-town farmer and the giant Gmo company, Monsanto. It revolves around Percy Schmeiser, played by Academy Award winner Christopher Walken. Roberta Maxwell (‘Brokeback Mountain’) plays his wife and brings a lot of heart to this movie. The acclaimed actors, Walken and Maxwell, are the ones who truly make this movie a success. However, the formal elements and the inspiration from real life helps elevate this movie. While ‘Percy Vs Goliath’ is a good movie on paper, it is lifted to another level because of its lighting, its actors, and the true story it's written about. Related article: Oscars 2021 Winners: The 93rd Show With Record-Breaking Historic Successes, Shocks and Surprises Related article: A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek,...
- 5/2/2021
- by Jordan Qin
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Oscar nominee Glenn Close and Mila Kunis star as a mother-and-daughter duo fighting to regain the love and trust that once held them together in the Rodrigo García-directed drama, Four Good Days, in select theaters today via Vertical Entertainment.
Based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, the pic follows 31-year-old Molly (Kunis) who begs her estranged mother Deb (Close) for help fighting a fierce battle against the demons that have derailed her life. Despite all she has learned over a decade of disappointment, grief, and rage, Deb throws herself into one last attempt to save her beloved daughter from the deadly and merciless grip of heroin addiction.
Stephen Root, Joshua Leonard, and Sam Hennings co-star. The film premiered at last year’s Sundance festival before being acquired by Vertical. Four Good Days will be released on digital platforms on May 21.
See the trailer below.
Based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, the pic follows 31-year-old Molly (Kunis) who begs her estranged mother Deb (Close) for help fighting a fierce battle against the demons that have derailed her life. Despite all she has learned over a decade of disappointment, grief, and rage, Deb throws herself into one last attempt to save her beloved daughter from the deadly and merciless grip of heroin addiction.
Stephen Root, Joshua Leonard, and Sam Hennings co-star. The film premiered at last year’s Sundance festival before being acquired by Vertical. Four Good Days will be released on digital platforms on May 21.
See the trailer below.
- 4/30/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
There's a moment early on in Clark Johnson's politically-tinged drama when Percy Schmeiser (Christopher Walken) is out in the fields with his granddaughter Mary (Zoe Fish) and tells her a story she has heard many times before: about how the seeds they use were smuggled over from the old World in the seams of a dress. It's a story that goes right to the heart of debates over the difference between traditionally guided evolution and direct genetic modification. Although arguments for the latter never really get their due here, what is illustrated very clearly is the futility of trying to keep any form of genetic change entirely under human control.
The story depicted here is a real one, and Walken is a fascinating choice for the central role. The real Percy, who died in 2020, was a quiet man who hated publicity but did it anyway, first because it seemed to.
The story depicted here is a real one, and Walken is a fascinating choice for the central role. The real Percy, who died in 2020, was a quiet man who hated publicity but did it anyway, first because it seemed to.
- 4/29/2021
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Over the course of the past century, Monsanto discovered a way to farm the American farmer by developing, patenting and supplying genetically modified seeds. Instead of getting its hands dirty in the fields, the company cultivates its yield directly from the land workers, who have virtually no choice but to buy the agrochemical company’s seeds. For the farmers who do it the old-fashioned way — by collecting seeds from last year’s harvest and planting them the next — they risk not only weaker, bug- and weed-susceptible produce, but also being bullied by Monsanto in court.
If you’re savvy enough to recognize what a gross oversimplification that represents of a complex scientific, economic and legal situation, then loosely fact-based “Percy vs Goliath” is probably not the movie for you. While well cast and plenty compelling (including feisty turns from Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci), this reductive farmer drama deals in...
If you’re savvy enough to recognize what a gross oversimplification that represents of a complex scientific, economic and legal situation, then loosely fact-based “Percy vs Goliath” is probably not the movie for you. While well cast and plenty compelling (including feisty turns from Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci), this reductive farmer drama deals in...
- 4/28/2021
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films has launched a new trailer for the upcoming drama starring Christopher Walken, Zach Braff and Christina Ricci, ‘Percy Vs Goliath’.
Based on a true story of a small-town farmer taking on one of the largest agricultural and food manufacturing corporations. Percy Schmeiser (Walken), a third-generation farmer, is sued by a corporate giant for allegedly using their patented seeds. With little resources to fight the giant legal battle, Percy joins forces with up-and-coming attorney Jackson Weaver (Braff) and environmental activist Rebecca Salcau (Ricci) to fight one of the most monumental cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Directed by Clark Johnson, the film stars Christopher Walken, Zach Braff, Christina Ricci.
Also in trailers – “I Just Came To Dance” A24 drop trailer for ‘Zola’
The film hits US cinemas, On Digital and Demand April 30th.
The post Christopher Walken takes on the corporate big guns in trailer for...
Based on a true story of a small-town farmer taking on one of the largest agricultural and food manufacturing corporations. Percy Schmeiser (Walken), a third-generation farmer, is sued by a corporate giant for allegedly using their patented seeds. With little resources to fight the giant legal battle, Percy joins forces with up-and-coming attorney Jackson Weaver (Braff) and environmental activist Rebecca Salcau (Ricci) to fight one of the most monumental cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Directed by Clark Johnson, the film stars Christopher Walken, Zach Braff, Christina Ricci.
Also in trailers – “I Just Came To Dance” A24 drop trailer for ‘Zola’
The film hits US cinemas, On Digital and Demand April 30th.
The post Christopher Walken takes on the corporate big guns in trailer for...
- 4/1/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Percy Vs Goliath starring Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci opens in Select Theaters, Digital and On Demand April 30th.
Check out the trailer:
Academy Award Winner Christopher Walken, Zach Braff and Christina Ricci star in the true story of a small-town farmer taking on one of the largest agricultural and food manufacturing corporations. Percy Schmeiser (Walken), a third-generation farmer, is sued by a corporate giant for allegedly using their patented seeds. With little resources to fight the giant legal battle, Percy joins forces with up-and-coming attorney Jackson Weaver (Braff) and environmental activist Rebecca Salcau (Ricci) to fight one of the most monumental cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Percy Vs Goliath stars Christopher Walken, Zach Braff, and Christina Ricci and was directed by Clark Johnson
The post Here’s the Trailer for Percy Vs Goliath Starring Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci – In Select Theaters, Digital and On...
Check out the trailer:
Academy Award Winner Christopher Walken, Zach Braff and Christina Ricci star in the true story of a small-town farmer taking on one of the largest agricultural and food manufacturing corporations. Percy Schmeiser (Walken), a third-generation farmer, is sued by a corporate giant for allegedly using their patented seeds. With little resources to fight the giant legal battle, Percy joins forces with up-and-coming attorney Jackson Weaver (Braff) and environmental activist Rebecca Salcau (Ricci) to fight one of the most monumental cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Percy Vs Goliath stars Christopher Walken, Zach Braff, and Christina Ricci and was directed by Clark Johnson
The post Here’s the Trailer for Percy Vs Goliath Starring Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci – In Select Theaters, Digital and On...
- 3/31/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"I get sued doing the same thing my family's been doing for hundreds of years." Saban Films has debuted an official US trailer for an indie drama titled Percy vs Goliath, also known as just Percy for the Canadian release (watch that trailer here). Based on real events from a 1998 lawsuit, the film follows a small-town farmer who takes on a giant corporation (Monsanto) after their Gmo's interfere with his crops. As he starts the fight against them, he realizes he's like thousands of other disenfranchised farmers around the world all fighting the same battle. Suddenly, he becomes an unsuspecting folk hero in a desperate battle to protect farmers' rights and fight corporate greed. Christopher Walken stars as Percy Schmeiser, with Christina Ricci, Luke Kirby, Zach Braff, Martin Donovan, and Adam Beach. This looks good mostly because it's such an important story to tell, about how greedy corporations are & how...
- 3/31/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"We're gonna lose the farm, Percy." Mongrel Media from Canada has revealed the first trailer for an indie drama titled Percy, originally known as Percy vs. Goliath. Based on real events from a 1998 lawsuit, the film follows a small-town farmer who takes on a giant corporation (Monsanto) after their Gmo's interfere with his crops. As he starts the fight against them, he realizes he's like thousands of other disenfranchised farmers around the world fighting the same battle. Suddenly, he becomes an unsuspecting folk hero in a desperate war to protect farmers' rights and fight corporate greed. Christopher Walken stars in this as Percy Schmeiser, along with Christina Ricci, Luke Kirby, Zach Braff, Martin Donovan, and Adam Beach. I'm always down for a good story about people fighting corporate assholes, and Walken looks like he's giving it his all in this. The film is set in Canada and will open up...
- 9/4/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Following in the footsteps of fellow ballers like Kobe Bryant (Kobe Studios), Lebron James (SpringHill Entertainment), and Stephen Curry (Unanimous Media), NBA All-Star and Dwight Howard is getting into the film business. The Washington Wizards center, via Mansa Productions, has come aboard as an executive producer of Percy, an anti-gmo indie film starring Oscar-winner Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci, and Zach Braff.
Grasshopper + Marks Productions (Brewmaster) has also signed on as exec producers of the film, which is being directed by Clark Johnson.
Written by Hilary Pryor and Garfield L. Miller, the plot follows a small-town Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser (Walken) who challenges a major conglomerate when the company’s genetically modified (Gmo) canola is discovered in the 70-year-old farmer’s crop.
Additional cast includes Roberta Maxwell as Percy’s wife; Adam Beach as Percy’s neighbor, Alton Kelly; Luke Kirby as Percy’s son; Martin Donovan as the conglomerate’s lead lawyer,...
Grasshopper + Marks Productions (Brewmaster) has also signed on as exec producers of the film, which is being directed by Clark Johnson.
Written by Hilary Pryor and Garfield L. Miller, the plot follows a small-town Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser (Walken) who challenges a major conglomerate when the company’s genetically modified (Gmo) canola is discovered in the 70-year-old farmer’s crop.
Additional cast includes Roberta Maxwell as Percy’s wife; Adam Beach as Percy’s neighbor, Alton Kelly; Luke Kirby as Percy’s son; Martin Donovan as the conglomerate’s lead lawyer,...
- 12/7/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Scrubs alum Zach Braff is set to star opposite Christopher Walken and Christina Ricci in the anti-gmo indie film, Percy, which is being directed by Clark Johnson. The script, based on events from a 1998 lawsuit, is by Hilary Pryor and Garfield L. Miller.
It follows small-town Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser (Walken) who challenges a major conglomerate when the company’s genetically modified (Gmo) canola is discovered in the 70-year-old farmer’s crop. Braff will play Jackson Weaver, a small town lawyer who represented Percy and took the case all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court against Monsanto.
The pic is currently in production. Scythia Films’ Daniel Bekerman, Ian Dimerman, Brendon Sawatzky, Pryor, and Miller are producing the feature with Ethan Lazar, William Santor, Andrew Chang-Sang, and Kevin Hoiseth serving as exec producers.
Braff recently directed the Warner Brothers film Going In Style starring Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, and...
It follows small-town Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser (Walken) who challenges a major conglomerate when the company’s genetically modified (Gmo) canola is discovered in the 70-year-old farmer’s crop. Braff will play Jackson Weaver, a small town lawyer who represented Percy and took the case all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court against Monsanto.
The pic is currently in production. Scythia Films’ Daniel Bekerman, Ian Dimerman, Brendon Sawatzky, Pryor, and Miller are producing the feature with Ethan Lazar, William Santor, Andrew Chang-Sang, and Kevin Hoiseth serving as exec producers.
Braff recently directed the Warner Brothers film Going In Style starring Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, and...
- 9/19/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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