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Starting Out in the Evening

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

Interview with Actor Frank Langella, Actress Lili Taylor, Director Andrew Wagner

This low-budget city drama depicts an aging New York novelist, Leonard Schiller (Frank Langella), who is already past his prime: all of his previous works are out of print and the keys on his typewriter aren't making that much sound these days. His daily routines involve carefully confining himself in his cozy apartment, far from the outside world, in order to complete the book he's been laboring on for a decade.

But this sleepy author is about to get a rude intellectual awakening by Heather (Lauren Ambrose), an admiring student who wants to write her graduate thesis on his work. Even though he is flattered by the certain attention, his preference for no disruption causes him to politely decline, but not for long. Heather's radiant presence gets past Leonard's guard, and he slowly opens up to her.

Meanwhile, Leonard's daughter Ariel (Lili Taylor), whose biological clock is ticking as she pushes 40, remains in a tight relationship with her dad, so just like father, Ariel invites distraction into her life by reuniting with her ex-boyfriend, Casey (Adrian Lester), who doesn't want children. She rekindles their relation, which blossoms into romance again, regardless of any inevitable collision. As the narrative proceeds, Heather prods Leonard's solitude and things start turning sexual when initially there
had just been an academic communication.

The film has been adapted from Brian Morton's novel. Director Andrew Wagner, who embarks on the unusual journey describing the making of a romance, immerses us into a compelling story that makes us realize everyone's desire to be acknowledged in people's work. His characters are flawed but fascinating. Frank Langella--channeling a venerable performance by totally inhabiting the character--reinvents himself, trying to seize its moment of a writer's life. Lauren Ambrose keeps pace with Langella, exhibiting an ambitious beauty and a cunning mature woman. Lili Taylor shows consistency in her talent, which expresses the warmth and vitality of the role.

Directed by Andrew Wagner
Written by Fred Parnes and Andrew Wagner
Based on the novel by Brian Morton
Director of photography:Harlan Bosmajian
Edited by Gena Bleier
Music by Adam Gorgoni
Production designer: Carol Strober
Produced by Nancy Israel, Fred Parnes, Andrew Wagner, Gary Winick, and Jake Abraham
Released by Roadside Attractions.
Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes

Cast: Frank Langella (Leonard Schiller)
Lili Taylor (Ariel Schiller)
Lauren Ambrose (Heather Wolfe),
and Adrian Lester (Casey Davis).