Posted: 05/05/2003

People I Know

(2003)

by Hank Yuloff

Pacino stretches a characterization in order to find harmony in disjointed little drama.

Eli Wurman has been a press agent in New York since the 1960’s. He came to the city from the deep south where he was a Jew where Jews were not wanted. But New York is far more forgiving of anyone’s backgrounds and Wurman developed a large sphere of influence. The trouble is, as your sphere gets older and disappears, so does your influence.

People I Know takes place in the roughly 24-hour period before a benefit that Wurman has put together to help save several Nigerian immigrants who are getting a raw deal from the system. Shades of his past when he marched with Reverend King in Selma. As he is putting this soiree together he gets a late night phone call from his last client of note, Cary Launer. Evidently Mr. Launer has gotten himself into a little bit of trouble with young actress Jilli Hopper and needs Wurman to bail her out jail. There’s more here than meets the eye and Wurman is quickly given a glimpse into a world of private sex and drug clubs where the richest movers and shakers get together out of the gaze of the public eye. Shades of Eyes Wide Shut.

Al Pacino (Insomnia, Insider, Serpico) plays Wurman, the agent who has stayed too long at the faire but is unable to let go. There’s always another show to promote or a client to make famous. He salvages his soul by continuing his pursuit of justice for the little guy and we are given an intimate view of how hard it is for him to struggle to get press. It is an excellent performance. Wurman is sad, and proud, and desperate, and determined. He is the little engine who could. His abuse of prescription drugs has left him hollow. It is only with the greatest mustering that he comes out of the shadow of himself.

Tea Leoni (The Family Man, Hollywood Ending) is Jilli Hopper, the out of control actress who sees a bit too much and trys to play the game a little too hard. She and Wurman smoked so many cigarettes I had to dry-clean my clothes after the movie. Leoni shows the effect of recreational drugs on a human without going too over the top and we quietly see how out of control she has become.

Ryan O’Neal (Paper Moon, The List) plays Launer, a bit of a washout actor who has political aspirations and has decided already to hire enough smart people to get elected on name recognition.

Other noteworthy cast members are Robert Klein (Two Weeks Notice, Primary Colors), who plays Wurman’s always on call physician and Richard Schiff (The West Wing, I Am Sam) as a billionaire who also has political aspirations. The interaction between the four of them is shocking if you are a political liberal. They aren’t supposed to play the game that way. Mark Webber (Hollywood Ending, Chelsea Walls) is very good as Wurman’s assistant. He doesn’t belong in that business and we cheer him on as he makes the decision to get out.

I saw this with three other folks, including my FM editor. I am certain I like the film the most, but I enjoy intricate “little” movies that are well acted. This is NOT the feel good movie of the year and you have to be ready for a struggle. But I think it is worth the effort.

Hank Yuloff is an advertising guy in Los Angeles who appreciates what PR guys have to go through.

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