Echo Park

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Echo Park

R

1985

1h 33m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Echo Park, L.A., is where the city's has-beens, hopefuls and dreamers work their day jobs. May (Susan Dey), a single parent, works as a bartender to support herself and her son, Henry (Christopher Walker), though her real passion is acting. She also maintains a lukewarm affair with August (Michael Bowen), a would-be action star. For extra cash, she takes on a tenant, Jonathan (Tom Hulce), who wants to be a singer. Jonathan has more than success on his mind, though, as he begins to fall for May.

Catherine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

Susan Dey is the best thing in an often strenuously arty picture whose actors manage to triumph over a graceless script.

Rated: 5/10

Oct 27, 2021

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is low-key, unaffected and sometimes very funny. It is also very fond of these goofy dreamers.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

It actually works best when the very randomness of its plotting evokes a mood of extremely casual cheeriness.

Dec 17, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 14, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Presents vignettes of yearning individuals in Hollywood who dream of making it in show biz.

Aug 26, 2004

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Offers sympathy for the outcasts and freaks living on the fringe of American society.

Rated: C+

Jan 21, 2004

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Audience Member

Well paced, poignant. Rings true.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

"Reality is for dreamers." Forgotten 80's cult movie, supposedly Quentin Tarantino was a big fan. Eclectic cast includes Tom Hulce (Animal House), Susan Dey (Partridge Family), Michael Bowen (whom Tarantino cast in both Jackie Brown and Kill Bill), Tim Carey (in his last movie), Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Cheech Marin, and John Paragon (best known as a recurring character on Seinfeld, whom with his "partner" always terrorize Kramer, questioning why he isn't wearing his AIDS ribbon and stealing the armoire he was guarding). (Deorderant Commercial Jingle): For work or play use; Viking Spray!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

There's a lot of good humor here and you're left feeling as if you've been eavesdropping on some particularly fascinating next-door neighbors.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Watchable, just about, like a TV movie of Channel 5.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

the sites are so familiar.. too bad the movie is suck.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

Likeable film about some LA residents trying to make the big time...but going nowhere fast

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Robert Dornhelm

Director

Susan Dey

May

Tom Hulce

Jonathan

Michael Bowen

August

Christopher Walker

Henry

Cheech Marin

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Synopsis

Echo Park, L.A., is where the city's has-beens, hopefuls and dreamers work their day jobs. May (Susan Dey), a single parent, works as a bartender to support herself and her son, Henry (Christopher Walker), though her real passion is acting. She also maintains a lukewarm affair with August (Michael Bowen), a would-be action star. For extra cash, she takes on a tenant, Jonathan (Tom Hulce), who wants to be a singer. Jonathan has more than success on his mind, though, as he begins to fall for May.

Director: Robert Dornhelm
Production Co: Sascha-Verleih
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 33m