The Man From Elysian Fields (2001)
2.5/4
"Elysian Fields is an escort service," says Luther Fox (Mick Jagger). "Only women?" Byron Tiller (Andy Garcia) asks. "Call me old-fashioned," Luther replies.
Ever think a movie can't hold your attention for long enough, even though you're there in the moment? "The Man From Elysian Fields" is pretty much exactly that - a lackluster, but reasonably entertaining film, I suppose. It is too dull to really enjoy, but it has its moments. The quote there is quite funny, especially with Jagger's acting skills, which are put to great use here.
The film follows the as mentioned Byron Tiller (Andy Garcia) a struggling, unsuccessful writer who's desperate for something to support his wife and toddler son. In a bar, he meets Luther Fox (Jagger), the only man Byron has ever met that has actually read his book. Byron quickly finds out about this odd character, and discovers that he actually runs a male escort service, to which Fox offers Byron a job. He's too desperate to say no, and accepts his offer, while lying to his unsuspecting wife that his novel has hit it big. With all the elements in place, Fox assumes him to a young housewife, married to Byron's own novelist idol, Tobias Alcott. When Tiller gets to know the family, Tobias decides to let him rewrite his new book, which not only took 12 years to finish, but puts Tiller down a dangerous path by becoming a little too close to the couple.
Director George Hickenlooper directs with visuals and camera shots that establish an interesting style and visual look, and Mick Jagger is surprisingly superb in the film as Luther Fox, and James Coburn turns in a brilliant performance every step of the way. Andy Garcia, as the lead, does not turn in a particularly good performance, but rather, a dull caricature of himself in better, more refinely acted movies, like Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" which he was splendid in. The rest of the cast is disappointingly uninteresting, creating little to no interest in what happens to them. Mainly, my interests went to James Coburn and Mick Jagger. Michael Des Barres also appears in nothing more than a glorified cameo, really, but stands out among this dull but occasionally interesting crowd.
The story is okay, the situations predictable. As a whole, "The Man From Elysian Fields" neither captivates nor intrigues, but I will give credit where credit is due, which is that it is not a boring movie - it's an entertaining experience, but far from a satisfying one.
2.5/4
"Elysian Fields is an escort service," says Luther Fox (Mick Jagger). "Only women?" Byron Tiller (Andy Garcia) asks. "Call me old-fashioned," Luther replies.
Ever think a movie can't hold your attention for long enough, even though you're there in the moment? "The Man From Elysian Fields" is pretty much exactly that - a lackluster, but reasonably entertaining film, I suppose. It is too dull to really enjoy, but it has its moments. The quote there is quite funny, especially with Jagger's acting skills, which are put to great use here.
The film follows the as mentioned Byron Tiller (Andy Garcia) a struggling, unsuccessful writer who's desperate for something to support his wife and toddler son. In a bar, he meets Luther Fox (Jagger), the only man Byron has ever met that has actually read his book. Byron quickly finds out about this odd character, and discovers that he actually runs a male escort service, to which Fox offers Byron a job. He's too desperate to say no, and accepts his offer, while lying to his unsuspecting wife that his novel has hit it big. With all the elements in place, Fox assumes him to a young housewife, married to Byron's own novelist idol, Tobias Alcott. When Tiller gets to know the family, Tobias decides to let him rewrite his new book, which not only took 12 years to finish, but puts Tiller down a dangerous path by becoming a little too close to the couple.
Director George Hickenlooper directs with visuals and camera shots that establish an interesting style and visual look, and Mick Jagger is surprisingly superb in the film as Luther Fox, and James Coburn turns in a brilliant performance every step of the way. Andy Garcia, as the lead, does not turn in a particularly good performance, but rather, a dull caricature of himself in better, more refinely acted movies, like Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" which he was splendid in. The rest of the cast is disappointingly uninteresting, creating little to no interest in what happens to them. Mainly, my interests went to James Coburn and Mick Jagger. Michael Des Barres also appears in nothing more than a glorified cameo, really, but stands out among this dull but occasionally interesting crowd.
The story is okay, the situations predictable. As a whole, "The Man From Elysian Fields" neither captivates nor intrigues, but I will give credit where credit is due, which is that it is not a boring movie - it's an entertaining experience, but far from a satisfying one.