 | | | Photo Jonathan Wenk
| | | | | | Don't miss this amazing film!
The Words is the best film I have seen this year. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January where it was purchased by CBS films for a reported $2 million and a guarantee of $1.5 million in print and advertising. This independent film is about author Rory Jansen, played by Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, Limitless), whose latest novel is a literary success. Rory is riding the wave of success. The problem is - Rory did not write it. Now amongst all the accolades he has to deal with his secret.
The cast is amazing and includes Oscar Winner Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune), Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven), Zoe Saldana (Avatar) and Olivia Wilde (People Like Us). All the performances are solid but it is the quality of the screenplay by Brian Klugman and Lee Stemthal that shines on the screen. When Rory, as a struggling writer, once again needs to borrow money from his dad, Rory says, "I need to pay my dues," and his dad responds, "No, I need to pay your dues." Another memorable line: "We all make choices in life but the hardest part is to live with them." Dialogue from this film stays with you; the words have meaning and impact.
As an independent film, The Words was shot on location in Montreal but was used to depict both New York and Paris, which greatly reduced production cost. Often times these little gems of movies do not see enormous box office results because of a lack of marketing funds; they rely on word of mouth. The Words is a film that will make you think of your own life. People will be talking about the movie for days after seeing it, as they reflect on their own lives and the paths that were chosen along the way.
The Words is a must see - take my "Words" for it!
Derek Zemrak is a Film Critic, Film Producer and Founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA