Movies Reviews

By April MacIntyre Jun 28, 2006, 17:53 GMT

Movie Review: Man in the Chair

This is a review for a movie you probably haven't heard of, is not in theaters yet, and currently has no distributor. Flash (Christopher Plummer) confronts his old nemesis Taylor Moss (Robert Wagner)

Flash (Christopher Plummer) confronts his old nemesis Taylor Moss (Robert Wagner)Those facts won't be for long. This film will be the dark horse of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and with any luck, will be in theaters soon. You heard it here first; it's that good.'Man in the Chair' is an original screenplay, written and directed by Michael Schroeder, whose most recent works were primarily low budget genre features and commercials. The film was lensed by cinematographer Dana Gonzales who recently worked on Tony Scott's film, Deja Vu in New Orleans, as a camera operator.It is a hybrid of a story, part buddy movie and a coming - and ending - of age tale. There is a powerful chemistry between the two leads, Michael Angarano, recently seen in 'The Lords of Dogtown' as Sid, and legendary actor Christopher Plummer, who called his agent at ICM after reading a copy of the script, agreeing to play the part of "Flash Madden", a broken down, alcoholic gaffer (term for set electrician) retired and living in the Motion Picture Retirement Home in Calabasas, California. Despite the ultra low budget for the film, Plummer "loved this guy," the Madden character , who was the last living crew member of Orson Welles 'Citizen Kane.' The lead actors worked for well below their normal pay. This carried through the entire cast and crew, who worked at the lowest tier allowed by the IA, DGA and Teamsters unions: the belief in the script and chemistry of the cast was that strong. The film was shot entirely in the Los Angeles area.The story is centered on Angarano's "Cameron Kincaid," a 17-year old kid who flirts with the law, underachieves at school, is at odds with his loving mother and his constantly indifferent and derisive stepfather, "Floyd", played pitch perfect by Mimi Kennedy and Mitch Pileggi, respectively. Despite his flaws and distractions, Cameron dreams someday to be the "Man in the Chair" - a term used by crew for the Director. His research and love of film takes him to an art house for old movies, where he stumbles upon and observes Madden, who sits alone in the dark theater cursing out his old crew mates and director, Orson Welles.During a screening of 1958's 'Touch of Evil' and a pivotal Charlton Heston scene, Madden lashes out, "Charlton Heston playing a Mexican? Give me a friggin' break!" Cameron is a fanatical film buff longing to be an important cutting edge filmmaker. The opportunity to pursue his directorial dreams happens when he enters a prestigious student competition, set up over Christmas vacation, offering the winner a scholarship to a Hollywood motion picture school.Madden cannot sit still at the posh retirement home, and spends his time hopping the bus lines, reading philosophy at the Sepulveda Dam high above the valley, or his secret obsession of watching and wanting to do something in frustration and anger, as stray dogs are constantly being loaded and euthanized at the local San Fernando Animal Shelter nearby. Cameron tenaciously approaches Madden on several occasions.Life has become almost unlivable to him, yet his irascibility slowly gets chipped away by Cameron's youthful perseverance, and wily use of Cohiba cigars and bourbon forbidden by the staff at the retirement home.Madden begins to buy into Cameron's enthusiasm, and perks up. In a particularly funny scene, Cameron "pitches" Madden his storyline. After some great visual sequences of Cameron's "skateboarder epic" and other lame plots, Madden tells him, "Kid, you can't polish a turd, what you need is a writer."

Cameron (Michael Angarano) teaches Mickey (M. Emmett Walsh) about computers.

Hopkins is frailer, and a more isolated man than Madden, but he slowly starts to come alive when presented with the idea Cameron has for his documentary film. Hopkins is fearful that he has lost his magic touch writing.In a great scene, Cameron takes Hopkins to the public library, gets him on a computer for the first time, and shows him how to research their documentary subject of nursing home neglect on the Google search engine. A particularly moving moment happens when Cameron shows Hopkins his life's work splayed out in exact detail, and that he has not been forgotten on the website IMDB.com. Walsh's facial reactions in this scene are incredible.Flash, however, has his doubts Mickey is emotionally up to the job.In a great cameo, Robert Wagner plays a hugely successful producer and old nemesis of Madden's, whose wife was lured away by Wagner years ago. Out of guilt and shared history-he wheedles the seed money from Wagner needed to crew up Cameron's film. Madden assembles an unlikely but seasoned senior citizen crew for Cameron, and they work together to create an award worthy documentary about the plight of the nation's elderly. During the course of the filming, Cameron's dream of being the Man In The Chair comes true, but more importantly, his life is transformed through his mentor, Madden, who rediscovers his own dignity, reignites his creativity, and finally is at peace with himself at the end of his life.There is much more in this film; the performances delivered by Angarano, Plummer and Walsh are deserving of Academy Award nominations. Michael Schroeder is deserving of an Oscar nomination for original screenplay for penning such a funny, beautifully poignant story that will surprise many Hollywood insiders.Please make every effort to see this wonderful, under-the-radar film.

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KimJun 29th, 2006 - 01:25:13

This sounds like a remarkable film. Glad to see such an opportunity for Mitch Pileggi. I can't wait to see this.

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HelenJun 29th, 2006 - 04:44:57

This must be a great script if the actors are willing to go below scale to make the movie. I look forward to seeing Christopher Plummer and Mitch Pileggi (two of my favorite actors) together even if it's unlikely they'll share a scene .

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AprilJun 29th, 2006 - 15:35:30

One of the better scenes is between Pileggi and Plummer-towards the end of the film. It's Plummer's wake up call to Pileggi's character's fatal flaws.

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AlanJun 29th, 2006 - 17:57:20

Nothing about this film would let you know how 'inexpensive' it was.

I think Schroeder figured something out....IF YOU HAVE A GOOD STORY, TALENTED PEOPLE WANT TO WORK ON IT!! Even if it means 'working for scale (or below ; )'. I'm anticipating comment after comment revolving around the performances (understandably), so I'll make a little mention about 'the other stuff'.

As I'm certain the cast weren't the only ones to feel it in their wallets, this movie also has a fair amount of 'bang for it's buck' in prod/post-production value. The shots are composed intelligently (thank you DP) and the natural beauty of the envionments (thank prod design) are accentuated by a wonderfully rich color palette (thank mr film color person) coupled with gentle, yet dynamic soundscapes (thank you sound). I particularily liked the visually saturated, sound whooshy moments....an indulgence perhaps, but appreciated : ) . And the icing being a subtle score, always supporting, never forcing.

I'd like to note that, although I'm not a professional, the knowledge of how much these departments effect our experience of the story, makes it's impossible to say, 'Kudos!' to the cast and writers without making mention of how much their success hinged on the success of everything around them. And thats to say, Schroeder did a great job of getting all these people on board, and steering them in the right direction! Alas...thats why he's the man in the chair...sheesh.

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calamataJun 29th, 2006 - 19:44:43

http://www.christopher-plummer.com/

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crikeyJun 30th, 2006 - 00:34:34

I love this whole cast-good to look forward to

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Penny caldwellJul 23rd, 2006 - 18:08:50

I was priviledged to be invited to a private screening of this film on July 21, 2006 in Boise, Idaho. It was an incredible film. It made me laugh and cry and it also had an important social message. Michael Schroeder is a genius. The emotionalism and dialogue was so real. A lot of times I just forget about a movie after I have viewed it, but this one is different. I can't get it out of my mind. The acting was impeccable by all involved. I know that once the general public sees it they will feel the same.

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dogmomOct 31st, 2006 - 23:54:46

I saw this film a few weeks ago at a free screening held at Panavision.
Wow, was I blown away! It was everything the M&C review said and more. It was so beautiful and moving, from the performances, editing, tenderness, and laughs. I cried hard and I laughed hard. Man In The Chair is very Oscar worthy, in my humble opinion. If this film doesn't make headlines then I will be sadly disappointed. I am hoping that as we speak, the director and it's producers are entering this film into all the big film festivals, so that it gets the exposure it needs!

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Dale JansonJul 24th, 2007 - 02:37:29

I just returned from seeing this film at the Stony brook Film Festival in New York. At the end of the film, the audience of about 1,000 people stood to applaud the director and Christopher Plummer and Emmett Walsh who were in attendance. It was a moving film that also carried an important message about the elderly in our society. It also was very funny at times. The acting, by both Mr. Plummer and Mr. Walsh, was remarkable. And it was a real thrill to have them both along with the director and producer up on the stage after the film answering questions from the audience.

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JFoxJul 24th, 2007 - 03:10:38

Just saw the film and thought it was absolutely amazing!! Fantastic performances, fantastic cinematography. Forget EVERYTHING you are seeing in the multiplex theaters, THIS is what film making is all about. Do what ever you have to do to see this movie!

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