Alternative Film Guide

Dennis Lim in the New York Times:

"Most directors do not go on to make one of their best films after receiving their lifetime achievement Oscars. But then, most directors do not have the near-legendary stamina and efficiency of Sidney Lumet, who accepted his honorary Academy Award two years ago, turned 83 in June and now has made 44 features in 50 years. (By his standards he has slowed down a little. For the first 40 years of his career he was averaging one movie a year.)"

Lumet’s latest film is the crime drama Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. His first, released half a century ago, was the Academy Award nominated courtroom drama 12 Angry Men, starring Henry Fonda.

Lumet himself has been nominated for four best direction Oscars: 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976), and The Verdict (1982), in addition to a best adapted screenplay nod for the 1981 cop drama Prince of the City, which he co-wrote with Jay Presson Allen.

A couple of brief Lumet quotes from Lim’s article:

"I’m sick of hearing myself talk. I don’t know if people believe me, but I never rewatch my own movies."

"Elia Kazan used to really try to get inside the head and psyche of everybody he worked with. I’m the exact opposite school. I don’t like to get involved. And I try not to work with lunatics."

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (see trailer below), written by first-timer Kelly Masterson, follows two brothers who attempt a victimless holdup that, inevitably, goes awry. In the cast: Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris, Michael Shannon, and Brian F. O’Byrne. The film opens on Friday.

Next January, Lumet should begin production work on his 45th film, Getting Out, from his own original screenplay.

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