It's a Public Life

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

"It’s a Public Life"

Directed by Alexander Payne
Distributed by Universal Studios
Written by Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, and B.J. Novak
Music by Rolfe Kent

Main Cast

Ellen DeGeneres- Judy “Wilde” Glenn
Florence Henderson- Jenna Wilde
Ricky Gervais- Tony Parker
Nathan Lane- Alex Crawfish
Megan Mullally- Veronica Bergin
Cloris Leachman- Julie Glenn

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: After the press gets a hold of the story about Judy and her real mother Jenna, Hollywood is dying for the two of them to get together and star in a film. The head of Sham Studios, Tony Parker approaches the mother/daughter duo about making a picture called The Shankshaw Punishment about two cellmates sitting on death row who bond over the period they have to wait until execution. Judy falls in love with the story as the words are pouring out of Tony’s mouth; Jenna on the other hand isn’t totally convinced that she wants to star in a movie. After much convincing they agree to do the project which gives the press a field day. Once they are signed on to the film, the director of Judy’s old films Alex Crawfish agrees to direct the film.

With all the news surrounding the Wilde duo Veronica Bergin is one of the first members of the press to hound the Glenn and Wilde clans trying to find the next day’s top headline. Once again, Veronica goes to the greatest depths to get a story including hiding in FedEx delivery boxes to the families’ homes, going through air conditioning units, and even having a mole inside Judy and Jenna’s mansion.

6 months later, the filming wraps on The Shankshaw Redemption the offers for Judy and Jenna start pouring in with projects ranging from East by Eastnorth, Most Like it Freezing, and Japantown. They commit to all the films and America is still obsessed with the Wilde team. Then The Shankshaw Punishment opens to rave reviews, critics love the film and premiers with 50 million at the box office. With both the women having their first hit, they can’t wait to put their mark on the 3 other projects. Then all of the sudden the team is fired from all of the 3 movies. Now the mystery becomes why were they fired after having such a big hit…

What the Press would say:

What can I say, this really caps off the trilogy and in a very nice way. It’s hilarious, emotional, awkward, and all around smart comedy. Alexander Payne does yet another fine piece of directing here where unlike a lot of films this year it really shines through. The script is well written, funny, clever and witty and the cast is tremendous. I have to say if Ellen doesn’t get an Oscar for this performance the whole thing is a sham. After 2 pervious nods for her performances as Judy Glenn this is definitely the best. Her timing is impeccable, the expressions she has are perfection, it really is the best performance of the year. The supporting cast is just as good, but in much smaller doses. Megan Mullally gives a wonderful performance that is a great parody of the paparazzi these days and Nathan Lane is just as crazy as ever. I have to say I was crying laughing during the scene where Cloris Leachman is confronted with what she has done. Simply hilarious and the best scene of the year! All around this is the by far the best comedy of the year and light-years better than the #2 film of the year!

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director- Alexander Payne
Best Original Screenplay- Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, and B.J. Novak
Best Actress- Ellen DeGeneres
Best Supporting Actor- Nathan Lane
Best Supporting Actress- Megan Mullally
Best Supporting Actress- Cloris Leachman
Best Supporting Actress- Florence Henderson
Best Original Score