They may not make amusing bad movies like they used to, but writer-director Paul Schrader's high-toned howler — which bypassed theatrical release for cable/direct-to-video distribution — treats the subject of
l'amour fou with comically extravagant pretension. In 1973, clean-cut college student/cabana boy Alan Ripley (Joseph Fiennes) cracks the books and avoids the drug-dealing aspirations of his co-worker Javier (Vincent Laresca). Then comes the fateful day when Alan sees Ella Brice (Gretchen Mol) emerge from the Florida surf in a white, one-piece swimsuit. Love blinds Alan to the reality of Ella's marriage to corrupt politician Mark Brice (Ray Liott...
Released:
2001
Rated:
R
Length:
n/a