MovieChat Forums > The Chumscrubber (2006) Discussion > How did they get this cast together?

How did they get this cast together?

posted 15 years ago by jhornsby912
7 replies | jump to latest

I've only seen this once, so maybe I'm missing something....This is a pretty high-level cast for what appears to be a half-assed attempt at this genre of film. I don't get why award-winning actors/actresses would agree to be in this wannabe "Donnie Darko," "Pump Up the Volume," "American Beauty," etc., etc.

I understand Rita Wilson wanting to do a film not involving her husband, and Jason Isaacs seems willing to do any part that pays...but Glenn Close? Ralph Fiennes? Allison Janney? Can't these people be more choosy?

[–] Vespa_Girl 15 years ago

I just saw this last night during a bout of insomnia at 2:30am and I was thinking the exact same thing!

[–] kadajawi 15 years ago

Perhaps it was the premise. Though not original there was something. But how the film was handled, the soundtrack (the songs that were used were fine, but unfortunately the original score was a bit over the top... like The Informant!, just that there it worked (at least somewhat)), the script. I think the film never quite hit the right tone, constantly changing, not knowing what it wants to be (I did like the part where one of the main characters wanders on the street in the end, but it didn't fit in that well with the rest of the movie).

So, I think they thought this was going to be good, they obviously have assembled a lot of talent, but it completely fell apart.

[–] GaelicLass 14 years ago

It's unfortunate when great actors have play supporting roles to young inexperienced actors because that's all they can get now. Hollywood is aiming at really young adults to capture that audience. Baby Boomers have the most money to spend these days, so maybe Hollywood will come around. tv is starting to make some quality shows aimed at an older audience. 18 to 49 is a huge spread to please, they don't like the same things.

[–] elgatony 14 years ago

That was the one thing I kept thinking about after seeing this, not the message (if any) the filmmakers were trying to get across.
IMdB lists the budget at between $6-7 million. I would've thought Ralph Fiennes would've been worth that alone considering his pedigree but to add Glenn Close? I guess Carrie Ann-Moss and John Heard et al will do anything and I guess the Culkin name doesnt go far anymore (from what I heard when Macauley was a star, the father tried to strongarm a big payday) but to also add composer James Horner to the mix; all for under $7 mil? My guess is that maybe a lot of favors were called in to get this made.
My other thought was: Who is this movie for? If I were a teen (I was during the better made "Heathers" and "Pump Up the Volume" days) today I'd wonder if I was being insulted and why so much time spent on the older folks. If I were older and was lured in by Fiennes and Close I'd wonder why I'm being subjected to all these bratty, selfish and stupid kids. At the end I was basically screaming at the TV "OK OK OK I GET IT, SUBURBIA IS ONE OF THE LEVELS OF HELL, I GET IT!!!
It probably looked witty on paper and there might've been a message here, yes satires have messages, but it gets really lost & muddled on the way to the big screen. What was the deal with the dolphins? What's the connection between the video Chumscrubber game & Troy, the dead kid? I decided to be like Jamie Bell and basically just check out. Nice try though.

Gene(points at his arm pit:Get a waft of that,man stink. See if that doesn't moisten your gusset!

[–] AlxSTi37 12 years ago

I just watched it and thought the same exact thing.

--Alex
www.alexsoldit.com

[–] skatepunkkid 11 years ago

You should watch it again, paying close attention, with no distractions, and you will find it's a really good film.

"This is the west sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

[–] chilone 9 years ago

1st, I love the movie. 2nd, a lot of GREAT actors such as John Malkovich and Jeremy Irons take all kinds of bizarre roles.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!