David Connolly Movies
Director/screenwriter Anthony Stagliano uses a rare genetic disorder that refuses to let the body shut down as a jumping off point to explore such issues as identity and faithfulness in a world where dreams and reality are indistinguishable. Arthur Dichter (David Connolly) is a devoted husband suffering from a rare genetic disorder known as fatal familial insomnia. A disorder that typically doesn't manifest itself until adulthood, fatal familial insomnia causes the afflicted to suffer insomnia, intense phobias, panic attacks, hallucinations, dementia, and ultimately death. As Arthur slips ever deeper into the grips of fatal familial insomnia, he wanders the city streets in a sleepless bid to keep his body moving. After losing the ability to communicate, Arthur begins to self-mutilate and record his thoughts in a diary that he will not even share with his long-suffering wife, Anna (Sarah Lassez). His doctor begins to speculate that Arthur may be suicidal, but Anna knows that her husband is simply locked in a strange new reality from which the only escape is death. As despair, loneliness, and alienation take hold, Anna refuses to allow her husband to slip away without one last valiant fight. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Connolly, Sarah Lassez, (more)
The war on terror has an unusual effect on one man in this independent drama. Hassan (Ayad Akhtar) was an engineering student from Pakistan who, while studying in Paris, was one of several Pakistani students arrested by intelligence officers on suspicion of participating in international terrorist activities. Hassan was innocent of any crimes, but it took him hours to convince the authorities of this. By the time Hassan was released, his attitude about the West had begun to change, and in time he began to identify with the terrorists with whom he had been unwittingly associated. Hassan then renounces his old life, joins a radical group, and illegally slips into the United States with the aim of staging a major terrorist action in New York City. Hassan comes to stay with an old friend, Sayeed (Firdous Bamji), and his family; Hassan has told Sayeed and his wife (Sarita Choudhury) that he's come to New York in search of a job, but in time Sayeed suspects his friend has a different agenda in mind. The War Within was screened as part of the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ayad Akhtar, Firdous Bamji, (more)
- 2003
American independent filmmaker Paxton Winters makes his writing and directing debut with the offbeat comedy Crude. Shot in digital video, the film follows American backpackers Gabe (Paul Schneider) and Bryce (David Connolly) making their way through Europe. After losing their money in Turkey, they figure out a way to make quick cash by interviewing a terrorist. When it doesn't work, they pretend to kidnap themselves. The film also stars Turkish actors Yigit Ozsener, Ipek Deger, and Mehmet Guleryuz. Crude was shown at the IFP Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Schneider, David Connolly, (more)
- 2001
- R
- Add 13 Conversations About One Thing to Queue Add 13 Conversations About One Thing to top of Queue
Following up on her acclaimed debut, Clockwatchers, Jill Sprecher spins this intricate ensemble film about life's big questions. Set in New York City, the film focuses on five different characters with radically different perspectives on life. Gene (Alan Arkin) manages a large insurance company and is a compulsive pessimist, constantly bursting the bubbles of his more cheery colleagues. Walker (John Turturro), who holds a similarly bleak view of the world, decides that he cannot stand another day in his dull life as a physics professor and thus promptly dumps his wife, Patricia (Amy Irving). Troy (Matthew McConaughey) is an up-and-coming lawyer whose career is derailed after a hit-and-run accident. And Beatrice (Clea DuVall) is a modest cleaning woman hoping for a miracle. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Starring:
- Matthew McConaughey, John Turturro, (more)
- 2001
Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) gets into a racial confrontation with new ADA Valerie Haywood (Garcelle Beauvais-Nillon) over a case involving a dead Russian, his bigoted wife, and a black gardener. Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) calls in his old friend, Chinatown detective Harold Ng (Tzi Ma), to make sense of a heated dispute between two Chinese street-gang leaders -- a move that leads to a kidnapping investigation and a stakeout at a restaurant. Diane Russell (Kim Delaney) knows she loves Danny (Rick Schroder), but she can't get the late Bobby Simone out of her mind. And Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) bristles at the notion of taking computer training. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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