Location: Chicago, IL
"Gray Daze"
Directed by Robert Redford
Produced by Robert Redford, Grahm King and Michael Nozik
Written by Dan Futterman and Michael Arndt
Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot
Edited by Stephen Mirrione
Music by Jon Brion
Main Cast
Topher Grace (Alvin Stevens)
Natalie Portman (Isabel Stephord)
Emmy Rossum (Miranda Stevens)
Timothy Hutton (Prof. Gary Sherman)
Felicity Huffman (Helen Sherman)
Dan Futterman (Daniel Klark)
Catherine Keener (Marge Kellerson)
Tagline: "One photograph can capture life"
Synopsis: Alvin Stevens (Grace) is a man who is just trying to get by in the world that surrounds his tiny New York suburb. He holds down a steady job at a video store, where he holds heated philosophical debates with his boss (Futterman), commutes to NYU as he is getting a degree in photography, and even has a subtle, unnamed romance developing with a classmate (Portman). However, Alvin also knows of the dangers of the world. Ever since he was thirteen, he has ventured into the dark world of drugs, sex and alcohol. His worst self-destructing weapon: methamphetamines. Now, at the age of thirty, he continues an ongoing six year battle with the deadly addiction trying to conquer it. However, just because he no longer uses doesn't mean the journey is easy. He still gets bouts of the strong urge to return to his addiction, which affects his performance at school and work, he still sees a rehabilitation specialist (Keener) and he feels most guilty when he must continue to look at his sister (Rossum) to whom he forced the world of drugs onto and left her life broken and miserable now and living within a rehab facility. Throughout all of this, the only thing Alvin finds redemption in is trying to find the perfect picture for his college professor (Hutton). The self-described “Gray Haze” is the perfect picture for Alvin and thinks this will be a major accomplishment in seeing light at the end of the tunnel even when it seems too dark.
What the Press would say:
Robert Redford gives us another example as to why his talents behind the camera are as versatile as his work in front of it. Redford's direction touches on the strong human emotions and personal connections as seen in earlier films like A River Runs Through It and his Oscar-winning Ordinary People. Redford truly uses his style to create strong empathy for these characters and it is very much noticed. While many know of Topher Grace from his comedies such as the sitcom “That 70s Show” and films like Win a Date with Tad Hamilton and In Good Company, Grace has proven him to be fluent in strong, dramatic roles as well. Films such as Traffic and P.S. support this, and he delivers another knock-out punch for this film. He is able to channel a strong urge within his character. Grace impresses us with some light hearted moments like his quite exchanges with Isabel, but he truly delivers an emotional punch when we see scenes such as him quietly aching from withdrawals and looking at the sight of his sister's broken and shattered mind. On that note, Emmy Rossum is the standout in the supporting cast. Her scenes provide the most pivotal emotional sequences within the film. Seeing her not being able to concentrate for a few minutes at a time really leaves the viewer feeling a strong sort of sympathy and compassion for her character. The collaborative screenplay from Oscar-friendly writers Dan Futterman and winner Michael Arndt is the whole backbone of this poignant drama, and Philippe Rousselot's cinematography goes well in hand with the entire motif of the film's photography setting. The campaign consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director: Robert Redford
Best Actor: Topher Grace
Best Supporting Actress: Emmy Rossum
Best Original Screenplay: Michael Arndt and Dan Futterman
Best Cinematography
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