Tempest (1982 film)

Tempest
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Paul Mazursky
Produced by	Paul Mazursky Steven Bernhardt Pato Guzman
Written by	Screenplay: Leon Capetanos Paul Mazursky Play: Wm. Shakespeare
Starring	John Cassavetes Gena Rowlands Susan Sarandon Vittorio Gassman Raul Julia Molly Ringwald
Music by	Stomu Yamashta
Cinematography	Donald McAlpine
Editing by	Donn Cambern
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	August 13, 1982 (United States) September 15, 1982 (Canada)
Running time	140 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Tempest (1982) is an American comedy-drama film directed by Paul Mazursky. It is a very loose adaptation of the William Shakespeare play, The Tempest.

The picture stars John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon and Molly Ringwald in her debut feature film.

Plot

The movie tells the story of Phillip Dimitrius (John Cassavetes), a middle-aged New York City architect who is going through a difficult mid-life crisis.

After learning that his wife Antonia has been having an affair, Dimitrius leaves New York City and moves to a Greek island with his teenage daughter, Miranda (Molly Ringwald). In Athens he meets Aretha Tomalin (Susan Sarandon), a singer, and they become lovers. Mysteriously, he takes a vow of celibacy after they move to the island.

Living on the island is Kalibanos, an eccentric hermit (Raúl Juliá), who previously was its only resident.

Phillip Dimitrius finally seems happy, until one day a twist of fate brings his wife, her new lover Alonzo (Phillip's ex-boss), and Alonzo's son to the island due to a shipwreck.

Cast

• John Cassavetes as Phillip Dimitrius
• Gena Rowlands as Antonia Dimitrius
• Susan Sarandon as Aretha Tomalin
• Vittorio Gassman as Alonzo
• Raúl Juliá as Kalibanos
• Molly Ringwald as Miranda Dimitrius
• Sam Robards as Freddy
• Paul Stewart as Phillip's Father
• Jackie Gayle as Trinc
• Anthony Holland as Sebastian
• Jerry Hardin as Harry Gondorf
• Paul Mazursky as Terry Bloomfield
• Lucianne Buchanan as Dolores
• Vassilis Glezakos as Captain
• Luigi Laezza as Sailor
• Sergio Nicolai as Sailor

Background

Filming Locations
The picture was filmed on location, including: Athens, Greece; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and New York City, New York.

Distribution

The film premiered in the United States on August 13, 1982.

It was screened at various film festivals, including: the Venice Film Festival, Italy; the Toronto Film Festival, Canada; the Davao City Film Festival, Philippines; and others.

Critical reception

Vincent Canby, film critic for The New York Times, was harsh in his review. He praised Paul Mazursky for some of his earlier works but Canby did not like this film, and wrote, "Tempest is an overblown, fancified freak of a film. Experiencing it is like watching a 10-ton canary as it attempts to become airborne. It lumbers up and down the runway tirelessly, but never once succeeds in getting both feet off the ground at the same time. The spectacle is amusing in isolated moments but, finally, exhausting."

Awards

Wins

• Toronto International Film Festival: People's Choice Award, Paul Mazursky; 1982.
• Venice Film Festival: Pasinetti Award - Best Actress, Susan Sarandon; 1982.

Nominations

• Golden Globe Awards: Golden Globe; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Raul Julia; New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Female, Molly Ringwald; 1983.
• Young Artist Awards: Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, Sam Robards; Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Molly Ringwald; 1983.

See also

• The Tempest (1911 film)
• The Tempest (1979 film)
• The Tempest (2010 film)
• List of William Shakespeare film adaptations
• List of American films of 1982

External links

• Tempest at the Internet Movie Database
• Tempest at Rotten Tomatoes
• Tempest film trailer at You Tube