Masked and Anonymous
Release Date:
July 23, 2003
Limited release
When you think of the cast of an independent film, what are the first words that come to mind? Probably “unknowns” and “up-and-comers” top the list. However, when you talk musician Bob Dylan into starring in your film, you’ve got to have some star power to back it up. The cast of this film includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, and Ed Harris to name a few. Of course when Larry Charles, producer of Seinfeld and Mad About You and director of some episodes of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, decides to make his feature film directorial debut, it’s easier to get these stars to turn out in force.
The story is about a fictional country that has been ravaged by civil war for many years. Uncle Sweetheart (Goodman) sees an opportunity to bring the country together as well as make a few bucks. He busts his old protégé Jack Fate (Dylan) out of prison to perform one last concert. However, journalist Tom Friend (Bridges) smells a scandal brewing and decides to investigate this concert of unity.
There are more than a few memorable characters in this film. But I think that’s to be expected when Larry Charles is involved. He has shown a gift for finding the unusual and bringing them to life. Among the oddities are Val Kilmer as an animal wrangler, Christian Slater and Chris Penn as stagehands, and Mickey Rourke as an old nemesis of the country’s dying king.
This film had its world premiere at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Sony got an early jump on this film for their Classics division by picking up the rights before it was shown at the festival. That’s some confidence. There have been a wide variety of opinions on this film so far. Many people love it and many don’t see what those others are raving about. But it seems that Sony is definitely behind this film and will put forward its best efforts to get this movie out to the viewing public. It should come to an art house near you fairly soon. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
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