Joshua Then and Now (1985)
- Starring:
- James Woods, Gabrielle Lazure, (more)
- Director(s):
- Ted Kotcheff
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
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The early ups and later downs in the life of Joshua Shapiro (James Woods) more or less describe the trajectory of this semi-autobiographical film, adapted from the book by Mordecai Richler. Joshua is a Jewish Canadian writer who has returned from living in England for nearly three decades, only to see the major components of his life disintegrate around him. Flashbacks tell the tale of Joshua's childhood -- raised by a father who is an ex-boxer with a creative approach to earning a living (illegally) and a mother who earns her living as a stripper. Leaving this background and his coming-of-age behind him, Joshua flies off to England and gains a reputation as a writer, marrying a politically leftist but socially elite wife. On his return to Canada at the end of the '70s, everything around him collapses. His best friend dies, his brother-in-law kills himself, there is a smear campaign against him, and someone is out to blackmail him. Things only get worse, in fact, before they level off. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- James Woods - Joshua Shapiro
- Alan Arkin - Reuben Shapiro
- Linda Sorenson - Esther Shapiro
- Kate Trotter - Jane Trimble
- Chuck Shamata - Seymour Kaplan
- Henry Beckman - Det. Stuart McMaster
- Harvey Atkin - Dr. Jonathan Cole
- Michael Richman - Barmitzvah Boy
- Warren Rubin - Barmitzvah Boy
- Joshua Shore - Barmitzvah Boy
- Michael Donahue - Ryan
- Patrick Gill - Barmitzvah Boy
- James di Salvio - Barmitzvah Boy
- Bronwen Mantel - Mrs. Friar
- Talya Rubin - Susy Shapiro
- Alexandra Innes - Joanna
- Yohan Perez - Barmitzvah Boy
- Sonny Lewis - Doorman
- Yuval Kernerman - Young Seymour Kaplan
- Catherine Colvey - Mrs. Abbott
- Harriet Stein - Woman on Telephone
- Ken Campbell - Sidney Murdoch
- Andrew Powell - Ralph Murdoch
- Gabrielle Lazure - Pauline Shapiro
- Michael Sarrazin - Kevin Hornby
- Alan Scarfe - Jack Trimble
- Alexander Knox - Sen. Hornby
- Paul Hecht - Eli Seligson
- Eric Kimmel - Young Joshua
- Robert Joy - Colin Fraser
- Jack Rider - Dr. Danzinger
- David Shaffer - R.C.C. Boy
- Robert Howard - Alex Shapiro
- Rob Roy - Mr. Abbott
- Christopher Eisenhardt - Mr. Hickey
- Kliment Denchev - Bulgarian Poet
- Linda Smith - Mrs. Hickey
- Nuvit Ozdogru - Bulgarian Translator
- Philip Pretten - Mr. Friar
- Arn Meldrum - Barmitzvah Boy
- Jason Lang - Barmitzvah Boy
- Murray Greenberg - Barmitzvah Boy
- Danny Silverman - Barmitzvah Boy
- John Zobolas - Barmitzvah Boy
- Gordon Michael Woolvett - Teddy Shapiro
- Director(s):
- Ted Kotcheff
- Writer(s):
- Mordecai Richler
- Producer(s):
- Stephen J. Roth, Robert Lantos
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Nudity, Not For Children, Profanity, Adult Situations)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1986 - Joshua Then and Now - Genie Awards - Best Cinematography
- 1986 - Joshua Then and Now - Genie Awards - Best Art Direction
- 1986 - Joshua Then and Now - Genie Awards - Best Supporting Actress
- 1986 - Joshua Then and Now - Genie Awards - Best Costume Design
- 1986 - Joshua Then and Now - Genie Awards - Best Supporting Actor
