Flare Manor

Author(s): Al
Location: New York

"Flare Manor"

Directed by David Lynch
Written by Paul Haggis

Principal Cast:

Ana DeRosa: Uma Thurman
Nick: John Krasinski
Andrea MacDowd: Zooey Deschanel
Mickey Dane: Owen Wilson
Iris Bell: Lily Tomlin
James Sasson: Ryan Gosling
Laura Dinhofer: Parker Posey
Alex Watson: Nick Cannon
Dinah Kirk: Anika Noni Rose

Tagline: “N/A”

Synopsis: Iris Bell knows it's the end. For 12 years, the burned-out, rapidly aging expert hostess has operated Flare Manor, a hot disco in the center of L.A. that attracts Hollywood's hottest who live for the party. But the 70's are ending, and hedonism is becoming no more than a passing fad. She knows that Flare Manor is next, and soon the sweaty bathroom sexual encounters and hallucinatory drugs will soon disappear. And Flare Manor isn't all that's dying. Iris has been diagnosed with lung cancer, which is slowly eating away at her body. She has been told she only has a few months to live, but she refuses to accept it. To go out with a bang, Iris holds one last night of self-indulgent debauchery before she-and the club-dies.

All the regulars turn up. Ana DeRosa, a huge pop star, is there to perform her dance-heavy hits. Her harried manager, James Sasson, tries to loosen up at the party as he tries to think up a solution for Ana's sagging career. Dinah Kirk is a well-known blaxploitation actress with a huge heroin addiction that weakens her more every day. The dealer who quenches her habit, Nick, is on hand in the alley outside to supply all manner of vices. Andrea MacDowd, a former child star now doing B-movies, is trying to put her life back together and promises to attend rehab right after this last night out, her Mardi Gras before an eternity of alcoholic Lent. There's Alex, Flare's resident DJ who dreams of recording on his own and hopes to get discovered by James. Dapper man-of-the-moment actor Mickey Dane attracts a huge group of hangers-on, while secretly struggling with his own inner demons. And tabloid photographer Laura Dinhofer hovers above it all, hoping to catch a shot of a star going down.

Over the span of 13 hours, these 9 people will fight, dance, cry, self-medicate, and even die quietly. But most of all, they will end an era-with a bang.

What the press would say:

Everyone remembers the late '70s and the early '80s. These years were the time of the disco: partying late into the night and people-watching at these dance clubs. With his new ensemble drama "Flare Manor", I believe that David Lynch has accurately depicted this turbulent period of American culture. Lynch's non-linear, surrealist style works well with this film, and he surely does one of the best directing jobs ever, atmospherically and dramatically. Lights flash, music pumps, and the entire movie is filled with quick cuts and close-ups that add to the energy of the setting. Paul Haggis' screenplay is very deep, and it paints an accurate portrait of the times and fleshes out every single character. This Oscar-winning screenwriter brings his fast-paced but emotionally potent ensemble style to this film, and it's a perfect match.

Every member of the ensemble is emotionally naked and inhabit their character beautifully, from the big stars among the cast to the relative unknowns. Some cast members are easy to highlight. John Krasinski, best known for his comedic role on TV's "The Office", is perfectly dark as the sleazy drug dealer. It's interesting to see his various mood swings and his mysterious grin. Owen Wilson is another comedic actor going dramatic, as the conflicted man-of-the-moment, who has been described by some critics as a "depressed Robert Redford". This role is a great way for him to break into more challenging, dramatic movies. Lily Tomlin, who showed her melancholy streak in "A Prairie Home Companion", is very good as the club's owner. Anika Noni Rose is also fabulous as a miserable blaxploitation star who relies on drugs to help get her through her life. This is head and shoulders above her role in "Dreamgirls". Parker Posey provides a bit of comic relief in a small part as a celebrity photographer who will do anything for her shot. Zooey Deschanel is the real standout of the cast, however. Her harrowing portrait of an alcoholic former child star on the edge blew me away whenever she was onscreen. Her face accurately heartrendingly captures so many emotions: hurt, dismay, fatigue, depression, even when she doesn't speak. Her persona reflects the entire tone of the movie: that of death, and the poignant end of an era. This performance should catapult her to the better roles that she deserves.

Many a film has tried and failed to replicate the heady disco era, but "Flare Manor" finally strikes the right balance between spectacle and character study. With the help of skilled director David Lynch and screenwriter Paul Haggis, "Flare Manor" pushes past the boundaries of a period piece or ensemble drama and reinvents those genres for a modern filmmaking age. I would give this film consideration for the following awards:

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture-Drama (HFPA)
Best Ensemble (SAG)
Best Director: David Lynch
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Supporting Actor: John Krasinski
Best Supporting Actor: Owen Wilson
Best Supporting Actress: Zooey Deschanel
Best Supporting Actress: Anika Noni Rose