- Mistress (1992 film)
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Mistress Directed by Barry Primus Produced by Meir Teper
Robert De NiroWritten by Barry Primus
J.F. LawtonStarring Robert Wuhl
Martin Landau
Jace Alexander
Danny Aiello
Robert De Niro
Laurie Metcalf
Christopher Walken
Eli WallachMusic by Galt McDermont Cinematography Sven Kirsten Editing by Steven Weisberg Release date(s) 24 July 1992 Running time 110 minutes Country United States Language English Box office $1,102,469 Mistress is a 1992 comedy-drama film starring Robert de Niro, Danny Aiello, Eli Wallach, Robert Wuhl and Martin Landau. It was written by Barry Primus and J.F. Lawton and directed by Primus.
Plot
A down-and-out Hollywood screenwriter and director named Marvin Landisman (Robert Wuhl) is working on cheaply made instructional videos when his years-old script is read by Jack Roth (Martin Landau), a desperate has-been producer who offers to help poor Marvin find investors for his movie.
Men willing to put up the money are found, including the ruthless businessman Evan (Robert DeNiro), the disturbed war veteran Carmine (Danny Aiello) and the eccentric millionaire George (Eli Wallach). But each has a mistress he insists be cast in the film. They are the demanding diva Beverly (Sheryl Lee Ralph), the alcoholic flight attendant Patricia (Jean Smart) and the perky blonde Peggy (Tuesday Knight).
Marvin repeatedly is asked to compromise his standards and change his script to accommodate these backers until he finally sees no semblance of his original ideas. The project also puts a strain on the marriage of Marvin and his long-patient wife Rachel (Laurie Metcalf).
Marvin's screenplay is a bleak one about a painter who commits suicide, based on an actor named Warren (Christopher Walken) who did exactly that during a film Marvin was directing years ago. Roth brings in young Stuart Stratland (Jace Alexander) to adapt the script for the investors' mistresses, but not only does Stuart constantly enrage Marvin with his suggested changes, he falls in love with Peggy and they have an affair.
When his wife demands Marvin grow up and move with her to New York, where she is opening a restaurant, he breaks up with Rachel instead, giving his loyalty to a film that, as she puts it, nobody wants to see. On the verge of signing contracts, everything falls apart, Beverly discovering that the role she expected to play has been drastically reduced in Peggy's favor.
Marvin is left alone, a broken man, done with Hollywood for good. Or at least until the next time Jack Roth gets in touch.
Cast
Actor/Actress Role Robert De Niro Evan M. Wright Danny Aiello Carmine Rass Robert Wuhl Marvin Landisman Martin Landau Jack Roth Laurie Metcalf Rachel Eli Wallach George Sheryl Lee Ralph Beverly Jean Smart Patricia Tuesday Knight Peggy External links
- Mistress at the Internet Movie Database
Categories:- American films
- English-language films
- 1992 films
- American comedy-drama films
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