Laramie Project (The)
- Director: Moisés Kaufman
- Writer: Moisés Kaufman
- Producer: Declan Baldwin; Peter Cane
CGiii Comment
There is a huge problem with this film: why do it as a faux documentary?
Without doubt, it is an important story.
The obvious passion by the filmmaker, unfortunately, comes over as an overwrought lecture - preaching to the converted was certainly not the intention.
The director must have been clapping his hands when he amassed so many 'names' - but the star power is its ultimate downfall - over-acted, over-written and under-realised - split screen and overly emotive performances make this a sorry film about a sorry subject.
Hugely disappointing.
Watch...
The(ir) Blurb...
Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It follows and in some cases re-enacts the chronology of Shepard's visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes with a Laramie staging of "Angels in America" a year after Shephard's death.
Cast & Characters
Kathleen Chalfant as Anonymous Female Rancher;
Laura Linney as Sherry Johnson;
Peter Fonda as Doctor Cantway;
Jeremy Davies as Jedadiah Schultz;
Nestor Carbonell as Moises Kaufman;
Camryn Manheim as Rebecca Hillicker;
Andy Paris as Stephen Belber;
Grant Varjas as Greg Pierotti;
Kelli Simpkins as Leigh Fondakowski;
Clea DuVall as Amanda Gronich;
Billie McBride as Waitress;
Bill Christ as Man on Porch;
Frances Sternhagen as Marge Murray;
Michael Emerson as Reverend;
Margo Martindale as Trish Steger