Sour Grapes (1998 film)

Sour Grapes
Sour Grapes
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Larry David
Written by	Larry David
Produced by	Laurie Lennard
Starring	Steven Weber; Craig Bierko; Matt Keeslar; Karen Sillas; Viola Harris; Robyn Peterman;
Cinematography	Victor Hammer
Edited by	Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Music by	Basil Poledouris
Production; company	Castle Rock Entertainment
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	April 17, 1998;
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$123,104

Sour Grapes is a 1998 American comedy film written and directed by Larry David and starring Steven Weber, Craig Bierko, Viola Harris, Karen Sillas, Robyn Peterman and Matt Keeslar.^[2] It was released on April 17, 1998, by Columbia Pictures.

The film was the last Castle Rock Entertainment production to be released by Columbia Pictures until 2004.

Plot

Richie Maxwell is down to his last quarter at a slot machine in Atlantic City, so he asks cousin Evan for two more coins for one more spin — a spin that wins a $400,000 jackpot.

The joy of victory is quickly replaced by a fierce disagreement over who deserves what. Richie begins by offering Evan a very small percentage of his winnings. Evan didn't expect anything at first but now he is offended because he provided two-thirds of the money Richie sank into the machine.

A bitter feud develops. Richie, a sneaker designer, hogs all the money and quits his job. Evan, a doctor, is so annoyed that, as a prank, he lets Richie believe he is dying. By the time he reveals the joke, Richie has done something drastic.

The more rattled Evan gets, the more distracted he becomes at work. And even when the cousins come to a tentative truce, everything backfires on them in events that involve girlfriends, relatives and even the homeless.

Cast

Steven Weber as Evan Maxwell
Craig Bierko as Richie Maxwell
Viola Harris as Selma Maxwell
Karen Sillas as Joan
Robyn Peterman as Roberta
Matt Keeslar as Danny Pepper
Jennifer Leigh Warren as Millie
Orlando Jones as Digby
John Toles-Bey as Lee
Deirdre Lovejoy as Nurse Wells
Richard Gant as Det. Crouch
Philip Baker Hall as Mr. Bell
Kristin Davis as Riggs
Larry David as Studio executive / Annoying doctor / Singing bum

Reception

The film gained poor reviews from critics.^[3] The film made it on the 2005 list of Roger Ebert's most hated films. In his review, he remarked "I can't easily remember a film I've enjoyed less."^[4]

Larry David himself has expressed regrets over the film. A poster for the film was put up on the set of David's office for the filming of Curb Your Enthusiasm's pilot episode. David had the poster promptly removed because he got "sick of looking at it" after one show.^[5] In a later episode, David's character tells his wife to stop lending people the film, and says he doesn't believe a friend who claimed to have enjoyed the movie, stating she was just trying to be polite.

References

^ "Sour Grapes (1998)". Box Office Mojo. 1998-04-19. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
^ Goldstein, Patrick (1998-04-29). "The King of Kvetch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
^ Mathews, Jack (1998-04-17). "Sour Grapes Has a 'Seinfeld' Flavor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
^ "Sour Grapes :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 1998-04-17. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
^ Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season One: Pilot, DVD Commentary Track

External links

[1] "Sour Grapes (1998)". Box Office Mojo. 1998-04-19. Retrieved 2013-04-10.

[2] Goldstein, Patrick (1998-04-29). "The King of Kvetch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-08.

[3] Mathews, Jack (1998-04-17). "Sour Grapes Has a 'Seinfeld' Flavor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-08.

[4] "Sour Grapes :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 1998-04-17. Retrieved 2012-07-08.

[5] Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season One: Pilot, DVD Commentary Track

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