A satire about desperate hustling, pop
philosophy and big money....
Martin Mirkhein (Griffin
Dunne) is a failed entrepreneur trying to figure out how to pay a huge tax
bill to the State of Florida when he gets a brainstorm -- Daniel Strong, the
inspirational men's movement novel by New Age philosopher Luther Waxling (Dennis
Hopper), would make a great film. Never mind that Mirkhein doesn't know a
thing about making movies -- he decides that this film is his destiny, and
he heads out with his girlfriend/personal assistant/aspiring screenwriter
Marie (Illeana Douglas) to visit Waxling's
representatives, who don't react with much enthusiasm when Mirkhein suggests
that he'd like them to give him the film rights as well as the money to
produce the movie. In search of financing, Mirkhein finds himself working
with Kim Ulander (Christopher Walken), a businessman who doesn't mind if
people think he's a gangster (and boy, is he something at karaoke night!),
and Ron (John Turturro), a second-rate hood
with a severely impaired fashion sense. The first directorial effort from
artist David Salle, Search and Destroy was executive produced by Martin Scorsese, who also plays a small role as a tax
agent. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Dennis Hopper plays Dr. Luther Waxling. Dr. Waxling is a self-help guru
who has written an 'adventure' book..."Daniel Strong". Dr. Waxling's TV
show is also the only thing you can find on TV in the middle of the night.
There are four rules in the book but Rule #3 is the most interesting.
"Just because it happened to you doesn't make it interesting!" How very
true. Martin Merkheim is enthralled with this book and its message.
Griffin Dunne is Martin Merkheim. Martin is married to Lauren (Rosanna
Arquette) but he practices celibacy (much to her relief). The movie begins
with their meeting in the office of a tax accountant (Martin Scorsese)
where they discuss the $147,000.00 that Martin owes the state of Florida!
These scenes are hysterical and they set you up for the way that Martin's
mind works.
Martin decides to raise the money to make the book "Daniel Strong" into
a movie. Martin meets Kim Ulander (Christopher Walken) at a party at his
brother-in-law's house. Kim may be a drug dealer but Kim is also a
believer in the book. There is nothing scarier than a grin on Christopher
Walken's face. Martin and Kim will meet again.
Martin flies to Dallas to meet Dr. Luther Waxling and purchase the
rights to "Daniel Strong". However, his plans to meet Dr. Waxling are
thwarted by Marie Davenport (Illeana Douglas) and Roger (Ethan Hawke), the
doctor's loyal employees. Marie becomes less loyal after being laid by
Martin. So much for celibacy! Marie has also written a movie script about
a "spine-sucker" that shoots out something that looks like a gangrene
penis with a lobster claw on the end of it! So...Martin and Marie (both
with their own movie dreams) take the train to New York in search of
financing. Marie has a cousin who paints with oven mitts in New York City!
They can stay with her.
And so...Martin goes to see Kim in New York City for the financing of
the movie "Daniel Strong". Their trip to a Japanese restaurant is not to
be missed! There are apparently many dangers involved in financing a movie
as you will soon discover.
Griffin Dunne plays the smarmy Martin with an ingenuous charm and
Illeana Douglas is absolutely luminous. Dennis Hopper is right up front as
a new age guru with the dollar signs in his eyes and Christopher Walken is
chilling (especially when he grins). There are some interesting
transitions in this movie that are reminiscent of 1940's
movies...especially during the train ride from Dallas to New York City.
Florida
Search
"Well, thank you for having me.
You spread..., a lovely buffet."
"Mr. Walken plays
a dead-eyed businessman with his usual scary aplomb." (NYTimes)
"Christopher Walken is chilling (especially when he
grins)...."
"There is nothing scarier than a grin on Christopher Walken's face."
"This is indeed a quirky movie, so Walken is clearly in his element."
This vibrantly colored
film by the painter David Salle, about the dirty doings of a would-be
Hollywood producer, has surprising snap. Dennis Hopper plays the author of
an “Iron John”-like best-seller, and Griffin Dunne turns in a rare good
performance as a lost soul willing to do whatever it takes to purchase the
rights; his determination leads to drug deals and, eventually, murder. John
Turturro, Christopher Walken, and, especially, Illeana Douglas are
strikingly crazy as characters who get involved in his scheme. After a
while, the desperation of all these people becomes quite moving. Michael
Almereyda’s hip script, based on Howard Korder’s play, isn’t all it should
be; the ending seems Tarantino-ized, but it’s impressive. (The New Yorker)
”Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I
was talking to Charlie Manson the other day. Is it hot in here, or am I
crazy? sings:
"From this valley they say you are going, we will miss your bright eyes and
sweet smile. For they say you are taking the sunshine, that has brightened our
paths for a while.."
--Tap sequence--
"Oh think of the fond hearts you are
breaking and the grief you are causing-grief you are causing-grief you are
causing-Meeeeee....!"
Destroy
"You can't have an adventure without a gun!"
”I’m a
shoeshine boy, I never go to school...…”
”Everything…EVERYTHING! up to this
moment, is the past. We’re done with it. You’re concerned about that cop.
I’m not. It’s clear to me. What was he trynna do? PUNISH US! It’s a dead
planet we’re standing on. I don’t need to be forgiven. What’re you shaking
your head at? You floated into this…you think this is not your life? Your
life! hasn’t started yet. It’s not your adventure, but it’s definitely your
life!”
