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Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

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Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool
British release poster
Directed byPaul McGuigan
Screenplay byMatt Greenhalgh
Based onFilm Stars Don't Die in Liverpool
by Peter Turner
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyUla Pontikos
Edited byNick Emerson
Music byJ. Ralph
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 1 September 2017 (2017-09-01) (Telluride)
  • 16 November 2017 (2017-11-16) (United Kingdom)
  • 29 December 2017 (2017-12-29) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes[2]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million[3]
Box office$3.9 million[1]

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is a 2017 biographical romantic drama film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Annette Bening and Jamie Bell, with Vanessa Redgrave and Julie Walters. It is based on the memoir of the same name by Peter Turner, which tells of his relationship with Academy Award-winning American actress Gloria Grahame in 1970s Liverpool and, some years later, her death from stomach cancer.

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on 1 September 2017. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 November by Lionsgate and in the United States on 29 December by Sony Pictures Classics. At the 71st British Academy Film Awards, it received three nominations: Best Actress (Bening), Best Actor (Bell) and Best Adapted Screenplay.[4] The film received generally positive reviews.

Synopsis

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In medias res, in October 1981, Gloria Grahame is playing the lead role, Amanda, in The Glass Menagerie in Lancaster and takes ill. She calls upon a former lover, Peter Turner, who reluctantly takes her to his parents' home in Liverpool to recuperate.

Back in 1979, in the twilight of her once-prolific and Academy Award-winning career, Gloria is playing the role of Sadie in W. Somerset Maugham's Rain in London and asks another tenant at her boarding house—Peter—to practise dancing disco with her. Gloria is flirtatious with Peter, who is also an actor. They see Alien together, have a drink together afterward, and strike up a friendship. After an argument, their relationship becomes intimate, despite their noticeable age difference.

In October 1981, Peter's parents are still expressing support for Peter and Gloria's friendship. Peter and his parents acknowledge that Gloria needs more attentive medical attention for whatever is ailing her. However, Gloria insists that her illness isn't serious.

In 1979, Peter visits Gloria in Los Angeles and their romance continues at Gloria's modest Malibu trailer park home. Gloria's mother, Jeanne, demonstrates support for Peter and Gloria's romance, but Gloria's older sister, Joy, is hostile. Both encourage Peter not to marry Gloria, given Gloria's earlier and scandalous marriage to her former stepson Anthony Ray who was also significantly her junior. Peter and Gloria reveal to each other that they've both experimented with same-sex attraction.

In October 1981, once contacting Gloria's doctor in Lancaster, Peter learns that Gloria's breast cancer has returned after initial remission in 1975. Gloria has refused any further treatment. Peter eventually confronts Gloria with what he knows, but Gloria insists she'll get better. Peter reluctantly shares the prognosis with his family, Gloria's hosts. Peter tells his friend Eileen that he still loves Gloria.

From 1979, Gloria and Peter's romance continues until the spring of 1981, and Peter spends time with Gloria in New York City, including a visit from Eileen. Gloria invites Peter to live with her in America full-time. However, shortly thereafter, Gloria suddenly cools to the relationship without explanation, distancing herself from Peter. Gloria kicks him out of her New York City apartment, and he returns to Liverpool for an acting job in an Alan Bleasdale play.

It is revealed that Gloria's sudden change of heart in New York City was driven by her learning that her cancer had returned. Her earlier refusal of chemotherapy in 1975 has contributed to the cancer's return. Her distance from Peter and keeping of secrets was because of ongoing tests and doctor appointments. She doesn't share this with Peter and instead hopes to drive him away as the cancer is diagnosed as terminal.

In October 1981, Peter struggles with his family on how to approach care of Gloria. As she becomes increasingly weak, Gloria decides to allow Peter to inform her family of her illness. Peter surprises Gloria by taking her to a theatre to read from Romeo and Juliet (a scene in which the real actor Peter Turner makes a cameo appearance as stage hand Jack). They reconcile. Gloria's oldest son Timothy arrives from the US to assist Gloria in returning home. Peter gently packs her belongings as Gloria sleeps. Gloria says goodbye to Peter and his family and departs for the U.S. They share a final kiss.

The film concludes with footage of Gloria winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rosemary Bartlow in The Bad and the Beautiful at the 25th Academy Awards.

Cast

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Production

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On 6 May 2016, it was reported that Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, and Julie Walters would star in an adaptation of Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool by Peter Turner, a memoir about Turner's relationship with actress Gloria Grahame in the last years of her life. Paul McGuigan would direct from a script written by Matt Greenhalgh, and Barbara Broccoli and Colin Vaines would produce.[6] On 27 June 2016, Vanessa Redgrave joined the cast.[7]

On 27 June 2016, the film began filming in Liverpool and London.[8] It then moved to Pinewood Studios, where it wrapped on 8 August 2016.[9] To fill in for scenes set in New York City and Malibu, California, the crew used rear-screen projections.[3] On 11 November 2017, Elvis Costello released an original song entitled "You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way", composed specifically for the film.[10]

Production company Eon Productions is best known for producing the James Bond film franchise; Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool was the second non-Bond film to be released under the Eon banner since the farcical comedy Call Me Bwana in 1963.[citation needed]

Release

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In August 2017, Sony Pictures Classics acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[11] The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on 1 September 2017.[12] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9 September 2017.[13][14]

The film was released in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2017 by Lionsgate[15] and in the United States on 29 December 2017.[16]

Reception

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Box office

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Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool grossed $1 million in North America[17] and $2.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $4 million,[1] against a budget of $10 million.[3]

Critical response

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 80% based on 169 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool showcases brilliant work from Annette Bening, whose performance is more than enough to outweigh this biopic's basic narrative."[18] On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating to reviews, the film has a normalised score of 65 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Hollywood Film Awards 6 November 2017 New Hollywood Award Jamie Bell Won [20]
British Independent Film Awards 10 December 2017 Best Actor Jamie Bell Nominated [21]
Best Casting Debbie McWilliams Nominated
Best Production Design Eve Stewart Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Julie Walters Nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle 10 December 2017 Best Actress Annette Bening Nominated [22]
London Film Critics Circle 28 January 2018 Actress of the Year Annette Bening Nominated [23]
AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards 5 February 2018 Best Actress Annette Bening Won [24][25]
Best Grownup Love Story Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Nominated
Women's Image Network Awards 6 February 2018 Best Feature Film Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Nominated [26]
Best Actress in a Feature Film Annette Bening Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Awards 8 February 2018 Best Actor Jamie Bell Nominated [27]
Technical Achievement Eve Stewart Nominated
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards 8 February 2018 Best Music Supervision for Film: Budgeted Under 10 Million Dollars Ian Neil Nominated [28]
British Academy Film Awards 18 February 2018 Best Actor in a Leading Role Jamie Bell Nominated [29]
Best Actress in a Leading Role Annette Bening Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Matt Greenhalgh Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LCC. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Thompson, Anne (14 December 2017). "Annette Bening Finds the Truth in the Very Strange Tale of Gloria Grahame and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". IndieWire. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  4. ^ "The Shape of Water leads BAFTA nominations". BBC News. BBC. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Review: Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". slantmagazine.com. 20 December 2017.
  6. ^ McNary, Dave (6 May 2016). "Annette Bening Starring in Romance for Bond Producer Barbara Broccoli". Variety. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  7. ^ McNary, Dave (27 June 2016). "Vanessa Redgrave Joins Annette Bening's Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". Variety. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  8. ^ Parry, Josh (28 June 2016). "Hollywood actors spotted filming in city centre". Liverpool Echo. Reach plc. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (18 July 2016). "First look: Annette Bening and Jamie Bell in Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". Screen Daily. Screen International. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  10. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (9 November 2017). "Elvis Costello reveals new song and video 'You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way' - premiere". The Independent. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  11. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (7 August 2017). "Sony Pictures Classics Confirms Acquisition Of Annette Bening Starrer Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  12. ^ Hammond, Pete (31 August 2017). "'Darkest Hour', 'Battle of the Sexes', 'Lady Bird' Among World Premieres in 2017 Lineup – Telluride Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Toronto Film Festival 2017 Unveils Strong Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  15. ^ "Lionsgate Unveil the Debut Poster for Paul McGuigan's Adaptation of Peter Turner's memoir FILM STARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL". The Fan Carpet. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  16. ^ Lee, Ashley (7 August 2017). "Annette Bening's Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Goes to Sony Pictures Classics". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  20. ^ Swertlow, Meg (5 November 2017). "2017 Hollywood Film Awards: The Complete List of Winners". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  21. ^ Clarke, Stewart (1 November 2017). "'Lady Macbeth' Tops Nominations for British Independent Film Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  22. ^ "2017 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards". San Francisco Film Critics Circle. 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  23. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (19 December 2017). ""Three Billboards" Leads London Critics' Circle Film Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  24. ^ Lee, Ashley (17 January 2018). "AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards: 'The Post' Leads Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  25. ^ Appelo, Tim (5 February 2018). "Gary Oldman and Annette Bening Among 2018 Movies for Grownups Winners". AARP. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  26. ^ Anderson, Erik (14 November 2017). "American Gods, Outlander, Novitiate, The Post Among 19th Women's Image Awards Film and Television Nominees". Awards Watch. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  27. ^ Dex, Robert (13 January 2018). "Discover all the nominations for this year's Evening Standard British Film Awards". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  28. ^ "Sufjan Stevens, Greatest Showman, Girls Among Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Nominees". Variety. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  29. ^ Ritman, Alex (8 January 2018). "BAFTA Awards: Shape of Water, Three Billboards, Darkest Hour Lead Pack of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
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