Gerald Wright's Movie Coverage
AUGUST Movie Review
Directed by: Austin Chick
Running time: 88 minutes
Release date: July 11, 2008
Genre: Drama
Distributor: FirstLook Studios
MPAA Rating: R
The writer of the screenplay for Savage Grace, Howard A. Rodman, has another film for 2008. In this contemporary narrative, he gives grace to a story of high finances, family ties and romance.
The setting is New York City where two brothers Tom and Joshua Sterling (Josh Hartnet and Adam Scott) are living in the fast lane of the financial world. Their Internet start-up company Land Shark has made them one of the most sought after companies in the field. Hartnet, who seems to play many passive characters, gets to play Tom, a cocky aggressive business shark who finds his company in lock up and its stock prices are dropping. Tom is a guy who dates many women, drives a hot car and makes the club scene regularly. His older brother Joshua played by Adam Scott (who recently appeared in the blockbuster comedy Knocked Up and is currently co-starring in Step Brothers with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) is the modest sibling. He is down to earth with decision making and is just the opposite of his brother.
The news of this lack of fast cash is brought to Tom's attention by his COO Melanie Hanson (Robin Tunney of many televisions shows and films) and CFO Dylan Gottschalk (Andre Royo). This plot element sets up the panic attack that has Tom wheeling and dealing to get his company above water.
Tom's dealings include humbling himself to his father David (Rip Torn) who never thought much of Tom's ventures. His father had been consistently ridiculing him from childhood, while praising Joshua. When everything seems to be plunging downward, an ex-girlfriend named Sarah (Naomie Harris) reenters his life. She is a beautiful, no-nonsense woman who is an artist and architect who still has feelings for Tom, but refuses to deal with his reckless ways. With a cameo by David Bowie as a corporate raider named Barton Ogilvie, this compelling film takes many twists as it showcases many great performances.
FILM RATING (B)
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