In Contention

From the ‘Last Station’ release

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The Last StationThe film, as you know, was revealed to be a Sony Classics acquisition earlier in the week.  It’s a slow day (being the weekend and all), so I figured I’d toss these quotes from the just-landed press release officially announcing the pick-up (the bold is mine):

With THE LAST STATION, Michael Hoffman has crafted a film that is not only beautifully made but showcases some of the world’s greatest actors in roles of a lifetime. The film is also incredibly entertaining and moving and we look forward to working with our friends Jens Meurer, Chris Curling and Robbie Little to bring it to audiences.

–Generically attributed to “Sony Classics.”

After spending four years of my life making THE LAST STATION, it’s such a relief and a pleasure to be working with talented people you can trust. I love the guys at Sony Pictures Classics.  It’s a perfect home for our film.

–Director Michael Hoffman

We (the producers) are very pleased to be working with Sony Classics again, and share high hopes for the film. We were there with them in Telluride and saw how well the film worked with audiences. Sony Classics is the best distributor to take THE LAST STATION places in the US , and also to work closely with Warner Brothers Germany, Optimum in the UK and our other distributors.

–Producer Jens Meurer

We are delighted that Michael Barker and Tom Bernard will be releasing the film in America.  It is the result we have been hoping for, while Michael Hoffman has been making the film with us for last 2 years.

–Producer Chris Curling

More on those “roles of a lifetime” in Monday’s Off the Carpet column.

Comments

13 responses to “From the ‘Last Station’ release”

  1. Guy Lodge Avatar

    Er, “roles of a lifetime?” Admittedly, I haven’t seen the film, but I smell the familiar whiff of hyperbole.

    I’m even suspicious in the case of James McAvoy, and he doesn’t have much of a “lifetime” to pick from.

  2. Encore Entertainment Avatar

    Okay…I’m seriously anticipating this but I;m with Guy…I’m sensing epic fail here. And if it is I will be royally pissed off.

  3. Kristopher Tapley Avatar

    It’s not epic and it’s not a fail. Go in with those expectations and you should enjoy it just fine.

  4. Guy Lodge Avatar

    I’m not expecting “epic fail,” in case that’s what my first comment implied. That would require major expectations, and aside from whoever wrote that first blurb, I think everyone’s expecting a pleasant MOR diversion. Right?

  5. Darbicus Avatar
    Darbicus

    I know Helen Mirren has received top billing in this, and the early reviews I have seen suggest she’s best in show. I’m curious, kris, have you heard anything about Sony possibly moving Plummer into the supporting actor category, where a nomination is much more likely (given the lack of contenders there) instead of lead?

  6. Encore Entertainment Avatar

    I kind of do [did?] have major anticipating for this…but you can’t go around advertising as Best of…that’s just not good. But Mirren+McAvoy+Giamati and then throw in Plummer for good measure…I can’t help being enticed.

  7. Melissa Wright Avatar
    Melissa Wright

    Poster looks elderly, like a film my grandparents would enjoy.

  8. Kristopher Tapley Avatar

    Darbicus: Haven’t heard but I don’t think he has any more or less chance in either category. It’s a sentiment thing, so lead makes better business sense.

  9. Jim T Avatar
    Jim T

    I like the “of a lifetime” only because it suggests playing the Queen is not as big a deal as many think. Just because someone is royalty, it doesn’t mean that a movie about his life and personality is more interesting or important than a movie about any other person.

    Maybe they were talking about Sandra Bullock’s lifetime. Tolstoy’s wife? By far her most significant. :p

  10. Guy Lodge Avatar
    Guy Lodge

    I wouldn’t call QEII the role of Helen Mirren’s lifetime either. In terms of the role that most shaped her career, I’d say it has to be Jane Tennyson.

  11. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    paul giamatti role of lifetime = sideways
    helen mirren role of lifetime = the queen

  12. Kristopher Tapley Avatar

    I don’t think the “roles of a lifetime” thing is indicating Giamatti and McAvoy in this release. Probably just Plummer and Mirren. And it’s just verbage. No need to dissect the damn thing…

  13. Encore Entertainment Avatar

    Probably talk yeah…and I definitely don’t think Helen’s best is The Queen [I’ll toss up between Gosford Park and The Madness of King George]