2012 American film
California Solo is an American independent feature film written and directed by Marshall Lewy and starring Robert Carlyle . It made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival , and its international premiere at the 2012 Edinburgh Film Festival . The film was acquired by Strand Releasing for the U.S., and was given a limited theatrical release on November 30, 2012.
Plot
Robert Carlyle plays Lachlan MacAldonich, a former Britpop rocker-turned-agricultural worker, who gets caught driving drunk and faces deportation after living in Los Angeles for 12 years. His efforts to stay in the U.S. force him to confront his past and current demons. The film addresses immigration issues, alcoholism , and personal redemption.
Cast
Main cast
Supporting cast
Hal Landon Jr. as Farmer
Lina Carollo as Bar Patron
Ping Wu as Judge
Virginia Hankins as Farmer's Market Patron
Wiley M. Pickett as Deputy
Sean Scott McCracken as Clubber (Credited as Sean McCracken)
Brian Chenoweth as Bartender
Eli Vargas as Julian
Paquita Hughes as Farmer's Market Patron
Tre Ryan as Court Bailiff
Albert Serrato as Worker
Cat Forrest as Farmers Market patron
Carla Short as Farmer's Market Shopper
Stephen Jared as Patrolman
Tatiana Monteiro as Paul's friend
Daniela Flynn as Lawyer
Tellier Killaby as Farmers Market Patron
Lindsay Fishkin as Farmer's Market Customer
Dean Bruni as Defendant
Willie Dean Brown III as Waitress
Adam Arian as Paul's Friend
Jamal Kazak as I.C.E. officer
Gandhi Fernando as Vendor
Cruz Flores as Worker
Amanda Marlon as Farmers Market Patron
Robert Javinett as Bar Patron
Christopher Cross as Record store owner
Nick Wellin as Court Room Attendee
LaRosa Howland as Pauls Friend
Kyle Brunick as Defendant
Trixx Ian Vitolo as Courthouse worker
Andy Dale as Jack
Kristin Gagliardi as Waitress
Celestine as Extra
Iris Bryant as Lawyer
Darren K. Hutchinson as Deputy Sheriff
Amy Kalp as Lawyer
Taylor Matijevich as Club Patron
Monica Davis as Clubber
Tim Alba as Farmer's Market Patron
Courtney Howard as Cafe Patron
Anthony Rodrigo Castillo as Vendor
Alin Gabriel Pop as Worker
Jack Arsenault as Festival Goer
Shannon Joy Madden as Waitress
Karin Koller as Woman at the Atm
Christina Sardinas as Farmer's Market Patron
Beca Rehaut as Farmers Market Customer
Tommy Shayne Manfredi as Farmers Market Patron
Sarah Rose Yu as Waitress
Lindsey Hopkins as Clubber
Brittany Lillie as Farmers Market Patron
Calen Moore as Farmers Market Patron
Ion Baleanu as Pool Player
Curt Sletten as Vendor
Claude Bragg as Farmer's Market Patron
Alexandria Tyson as Bar Regular
Harold Pappy Tucker as Bar Regular
Nathan Malone as Drunk Tank Guy
Sarah J. Yu as Waitress
Yolanda Scott as Vendor
Anne Symmes as Club Patron
Curt Darwin as Lawyer
John E. Berkman as Farmers Market Shopper
Joy A. Kennelly as Brunch Patron
Jim Cox as Bar Regular
Cameo/uncredited cast
Peter Christian as Background Lawyer
Sean Keehan as Parolee
George Steeves as Guitar Shop Patron
Robert Stilwell as Brunch Patron
Khai Thach as Market Vendor
Production
Lewy wrote the part of Lachlan MacAldonich with Robert Carlyle in mind. Carlyle has remarked, "It was an easy sell to get me to do it"[ 1] and he drew inspiration for the character from his friends, the Gallagher brothers of Oasis .[ 2]
The film shot for 21 days in June 2011 in Leona Valley , Lancaster , Moorpark , and many neighborhoods of Los Angeles , including Silver Lake , Los Feliz , Atwater Village , Sun Valley , Downtown , Highland Park , Hollywood , and Culver City .[ 3] Its title song was written specifically for the film by Adam Franklin .[ 4]
Reception and awards
"California Solo" is a New York Times Critics Pick.[ 5]
Critics have praised Robert Carlyle's performance, calling it "open and utterly human",[ 6] "effortlessly engaging",[ 7] "soulful and layered",[ 8] and "stunning...perhaps his best since Trainspotting ’s Begbie".[ 9] The Huffington Post called the film a "touching drama"[ 10] and The Hollywood Reporter called it a "fragile drama with emotional heft."[ 8]
The film won the Best Narrative Feature and Best Editing awards at the 2012 Woodstock Film Festival. Robert Carlyle won the Outstanding Acting Award at the 2012 Tallgrass Film Festival. Additionally, producer Mynette Louie won the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards ' Piaget Producers Award. In May 2013, Savannah Lathem won the Young Artist Award for Best Supporting Young Actress in a Feature Film .[ 11]
References
^ Michelle Kung (January 25, 2012). " 'One Upon A Time' Star Robert Carlyle Finds a Happy Ending at Sundance" . The Wall Street Journal .
^ Anthony Breznican (January 28, 2012). "Sundance 2012: Robert Carlyle sings the blues in rock drama 'California Solo' " . Entertainment Weekly .
^ Bryce J. Renninger (October 7, 2011). "Will You See This Movie? | Robert Carlyle Fights Deportation in "California Solo" " . Indiewire .
^ Dennis Carlson (August 3, 2011). "A Supervisor Wire Exclusive: A Conversation with Joe Rudge" . SupervisorWire.
^ Jeannette Catsoulis (November 29, 2012). "Midlife Crisis of the Britpunk Kind" . The New York Times .
^ Robbie Collin (June 28, 2012). "California Solo, Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012, review" . Telegraph .
^ Adam Whyte (June 27, 2012). "Edinburgh Film Festival Diary #5" . What Culture!.
^ a b David Rooney (January 25, 2012). "California Solo: Sundance Film Review" . The Hollywood Reporter .
^ Josh Winning (January 31, 2012). "20 Best Movies of Sundance 2012" . Total Film .
^ Marshall Fine (January 18, 2012). "Getting Ready for Sundance" . Huffington Post .
^ "34th Annual Young Artist Awards" . YoungArtistAwards.org . Retrieved March 31, 2013 .
External links