This So-Called Disaster

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This So-Called Disaster

R

Released Jan 24, 2003

1h 27m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

89%

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28 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In this documentary, filmmaker Michael Almereyda chronicles the San Francisco production of "The Late Henry Moss," a play written and directed by noted scribe Sam Shepard. The film explores Shepard's artistic inspirations as well as his working relationships with the play's cast, which includes stars such as Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Cheech Marin and Nick Nolte. Much of the film is devoted to a detailed examination of the work that goes into readying a play for opening night.

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Ty Burr

Boston Globe

One of the finer peeks into the creative process of staging a play.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 18, 2004

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Manohla Dargis

Los Angeles Times

In its vision of the push-and-pull of rehearsal and the revelation of how a play comes to breathing, snorting life onstage, Almereyda's video brings us close to the act of creation.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 17, 2004

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

Ultimately, you leave This So-Called Disaster with renewed respect for Shepard, who comes off as a kind of quiet hero: a man of words, confronting his past with little fuss, and from it creating a legacy.

Rated: 3/4

May 21, 2004

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Robert W. Butler

Kansas City Star

Will appeal mostly to those who love theater and relish the opportunity to see a production being built, scene by scene.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 10, 2004

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David Noh

Film Journal International

Consistently engrossing, with nary a dull moment, and very enlightening on what is popularly called "the actor's process."

Aug 8, 2004

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Paul Sherman

Boston Herald

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2004

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Geke g

Creativity is splendid. Nice directing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

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Munkhchimeg T

Very creative movie. The most liked is how to show characters’ emotions and their specific personalities.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Audience Member

A movie every theatre person should watch. There is something gratifying in seeing how universal theatre is. Even mega-talented stars like Woody Harrelson and Sean Penn get frustrated with characters and lines, bad acts, not understanding a scene. In a film their performances are so prestigious, you see the take where they nailed it, but the work that went into it is never hinted at. And you can't feel the electricity like you can in a live show. Watching their processes, although it doesnt' dive deep enough into it, and seeing and hearing Sam Shepard talk about it all, is just a treat for a buff like me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

Brilliant movie all actors MUST see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

We are so very lucky to have such a great look into the private process of Sam Shepard directing a play.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

In this documentary about theater, I enjoyed the quality of language used by the director, the way Shepard told his story, Gammon's acting, the diversity of activities that go on during rehearsal, including those to memorize lines, and the music.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Michael Almereyda

Director

T Bone Burnett

Self

James Gammon

Self

Woody Harrelson

Himself

Cheech Marin

Caesar

Anne Militello

Self

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Synopsis

In this documentary, filmmaker Michael Almereyda chronicles the San Francisco production of "The Late Henry Moss," a play written and directed by noted scribe Sam Shepard. The film explores Shepard's artistic inspirations as well as his working relationships with the play's cast, which includes stars such as Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Cheech Marin and Nick Nolte. Much of the film is devoted to a detailed examination of the work that goes into readying a play for opening night.

Director: Michael Almereyda
Producer: Caroline Kaplan, Callum Greene, Anthony Katagas
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Keep Your Head, IFC Productions
Rating: R (Strong Sexual Content|Disturbing Violent Images|Language|Drug Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 30, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.2K
Runtime: 1h 27m