Robert Whaley Movies
Following up on his directorial debut, Joe the King, actor-turned-sometimes director Frank Whaley made this gritty character study of a man consumed by anger. Working as a clerk at a supermarket, Jimmy (Whaley) makes it a practice to steal anything and everything he can get away with, usually cases of beer. At home, he supports his neglected wife (Carla Gugino), his infant daughter, and his foul-tempered invalid grandmother, whom he has been caring for since he was a teen. A compulsive complainer, Jimmy is vitriolically bitter about his lack of a childhood. His latest dream, one in a series of failed schemes to make it big, is to be a standup comedian. Yet Jimmy's idea of a schtick is less one-liners and gags than a prolonged confessional rant about his marriage, the loss of his parents, and his grandmother. As the film progresses, Jimmy's monologues grow darker and ever more sinister. This film was scheduled to be screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Whaley, Carla Gugino, (more)
Actor Frank Whaley makes his directorial debut with Joe the King, a downbeat drama about a 14-year-old boy coming of age in an abusive and uncaring environment. When he was nine, Joe Henry (Noah Fleiss) lied to his friends about his father's job because he was ashamed that his father was the school janitor; in turn, he was humiliated in front of his class. Five years later, things are much worse; his father (Val Kilmer) has become a violent alcoholic who can't hold a job, while his mother (Karen Young) is harsh and unloving. Joe works illegally as a dishwasher to help support the family, but resorts to petty theft when it's clear his salary alone won't pay his father's debts. Eventually Joe attempts to steal the restaurant's cash box to get his father out of the red -- with tragic results. Whaley, who claims this story is "loosely autobiographical," assembled a strong cast for his first turn behind the camera, including Ethan Hawke, John Leguizamo, and Austin Pendleton. Joe The King premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Noah Fleiss, Val Kilmer, (more)
- 1996
- NR
In this noirish crime thriller, deeply troubled screenwriter/director Elliot Callahan, who made a brilliant debut with the innovative thriller "Criminal Intent," finds himself tormented with writers block that prevents him from starting on his eagerly awaited sophomore film. His studio is about to sue him for missing several key deadlines and someone else has accused Callahan of stealing the script for "Intent" from a popular Hong Kong action film. In order to find the respite he needs to write again, Callahan slips off to Nantucket island. There he encounters a beautiful Realtor who looks to him for much needed excitement. He also hooks up with his former writing crony Tim and his sculptor girlfriend Julia. Finally Callahan encounters the mysterious Henry, an aspiring screenwriter who is trying to sell his own chilling and realistic script about a serial killer. Callahan reads it and finds it so true-to-life that he begins believing that Henry himself is a killer. Wanting to exploit that angle, Callahan endeavors to steal the script for himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Gilroy, Margaret Welsh, (more)
