Friday, June 20, 2008

Abbott and Costello Meet Their Biography

Authors: Douglas Reese
Location: Clarksville, Ohio

"Abbott and Costello Meet Their Biography”

Directed by Stephen Gallagan
Written by Andrew Fleming and Stephen Gallagan
Produced by Jerry Seinfeld
Cinematography by Russell Carpenter
Editing by Thelma Schoonmaker
Music by Howard Shore

Principal Cast:

Jeff Daniels … William Alexander Abbott
Nathan Lane …Louis Francis Cristillo
Patricia Clarkson … Morgan Abbott
Alan Alda … Carl Laemmie
Missy Crider … Sarah Woodrow
Frances McDormand … Leona Abbott / Evelyn Cristillo

Tagline: "They made you laugh. They made you cry. They made you laugh harder. That’s about it"

Synopsis: Jeff Daniels is William Abbott, a 36-year old vaudeville star who becomes friends when he works as straight man to the 25-year old vaudeville comedian Lou Cristillo (Nathan Lane). It is from here where they become the funniest duo in town and sprout many fans and end up getting a contract to do a comedy film for Universal Studios. Abbott and “Costello” become international stars with their first film ‘One Night in the Tropics’, they spring forth to be America’s most loved comedic stars and make more movies, perform on stage, and become the best of friends! Stephen Gallagan’s deliciously captivating picture focuses on the productions of the duo’s films, the lives at home, the secrets storming up behind the scenes, and the conspiracy of Costello’s hair… It is a sure fact that Stephen Gallagan has delivered a movie masterpiece making the viewer of the film feel as if they are watching Abbott and Costello one last time!

What the press would say:

Shot in glorious black-and-white by ‘Titanic’ director of photography Russell Carpenter and scored beautifully by Howard Shore, ‘ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THEIR BIOGRAPHY’ is a film to remember! Nathan Lane won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actor for his splendid portrayal as Lou Costello! Jeff Daniels was nominated for the same award for his grand performance as Bud Abbott! Richard Roeper of Ebert & Roeper says,
“Daniels and Lane were born to play these roles, especially Lane who pulls off the best comedic performance of the year as Lou Costello. Ten minutes into the film we forget it is Lane acting and we believe that Lou is on the screen. He has risen from the dead!”

Gallagan’s take on making the biopic into a slapstick comedy with the style of Abbott and Costello’s films using black-and-white, full frame, a little grainy picture, old-fashioned musical score, nice corny dialogue, slapstick comedy, it prevails in the end to be a great “old-timers” movie. The film is well-done given the fact that it keeps a family-friendly status with a “G” rating and staying funny without being raunchy or senile.

‘ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THEIR BIOGRAPHY’ is sure to be an instant classic and Gallagan may receive the Director award that he rightfully deserves for delivering such a masterwork of true comical genius!

“Fast-paced, hilarious, touching, one of the best films of the year!” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Quote:

Lou: “Okay so we gonna split it 60/40.”
Bud: “Okay, how ‘bout not!”
Lou: “Fine, I can use more doe!”

For Your Consideration:

Picture
Director – Gallagan
Original Screenplay
Actor - Lane
Actor – Daniels

No comments: