...Forever Lulu...
First Love Lasts Forever
...Forever Lulu...First Love Lasts Forever
John Kaye did a terrific job in bringing "Forever Lulu" to fruition. His direction brought out wonderful moments from stars Patrick Swayze, Melanie Griffith, and Penelope Ann Miller. Although the movie was not released theatrically, it was screened at the Taormina Film Festival in July 2000 (a short synopsis can be found at the festival site) and was also shown at the high-profiled Cannes Film Festival in May 2000.
Originally titled "Loving Lulu", the film features Melanie Griffith as the schizophrenic ex-girlfriend of Patrick's who reappears in his life after many years, with news that he is the father of a soon-to-be 16 year old boy. The two set off cross country to meet their son, while Miller, as Swayze's psychiatrist wife, spontaneously decides to join them. The scenes between the three characters are riveting and poignant, and make the film a winner for sure!
Cameras are rolling
Mel: C'mon Buddy, I want to dirty dance!
Patrick: Mel, you know I don't like to bump and grind in my movies; they never let me stop.
Mel: But Buddy, please ... I want to be Baby.
Patrick: grrrrrrunt only 10 seconds and that's it!
(then at end of the dirty dancing sequence in the film)
Mel: Don't stop, Buddy, just a bit more
Patrick: No, no, no (throws Mel in car)
Cameras continue to roll.
Mel: Oh, lets do a dance step here in the gas station
Patrick: Hmm, not sure about that.
Mel: It's ok hon, I will lead and you just follow. We can cover any mistake you might make.
Patrick: Well, gosh thanks Mel, I wasn't too concerned about that. It's just that I am having the time of my life and I hate to jinx it with some sappy dance scene.
Mel: You do know who owns the production company don't you? I mean I would hate to think something could happen to your scenes in this movie. You get my drift?
Patrick: Oh so that's how you want to play it. Fine, jump up here and I will twirl you around a bit. Now are you happy? Everywhere I go, I get this. Geez!
Mel: Oh stop your whining and set me down gently in the car.
SPLAT!!!!!!
Patrick's character is "Ben Clifton", a tv writer. Shooting began May 25, 1999 and received a decent amount of publicity, but after completion on July 8, 1999, the movie lingered in post production. With an estimated budget of $20 million, the film also boasts of 10 different producers (executive, regular or "co"), not including Melanie and Antonio, which might explain its lengthy delay. At one point during the end of 2000, the movie was rumored to go straight to video, but then on January 22, Starz Cable Network announced it had made arrangements to premier the movie on its network. The news announcement was made at a press conference attended by both Swayze and Griffith and a press release was issued as follows:
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- STARZ! Pictures(R) presents the world premiere of FOREVER LULU on STARZ!(R) Saturday, March 3, 2001 (with subsequent plays throughout the month). The inspiring romantic drama stars Academy Award(R) nominee and Golden Globe-winning actress Melanie Griffith as psychiatric patient Lulu, and Golden Globe nominees Patrick Swayze and Penelope Ann Miller as writer Ben Clifton and his psychiatrist wife Claire.
According to Producer Diane Sillan, "FOREVER LULU is a big journey about Ben and what he has to go through to face his demons. Along the way it's Lulu who instigates, provokes and brings him back in touch. She's a kind of road map to his soul." While the character of Lulu has a certain outrageousness to her, Penelope Ann Miller has the tough task of playing the restrained Claire. "She's challenging in that I have to keep it very contained. As a psychiatrist trying to help other people, Claire's a classic example of someone not necessarily practicing what she preaches. Maybe she's no crazier than Lulu, or just as crazy, she just handles it differently."
Griffith notes, "I think of Lulu as a kind of angel. She comes and heals, and at the same time, she's a fragile woman who realizes her own power again." To research her part, Griffith spent time with four schizophrenic women who were in different stages of the disease and battling different problems. However, she also points out that "it's never just about the characters. It has to be about the story, and this is a beautiful love story." Veteran actor Swayze offers this about Ben and Lulu, "They are like two meteors that would just burn each other out. I have a feeling that this movie could communicate some wonderful things to the world."
FOREVER LULU is the heartfelt story of warm and engaging Lulu McAfee, a pat ient in long-term psychiatric treatment who suddenly leaves the institution to track down her old college soulmate, Ben Clifton. Lulu, although emotionally fragile and potentially suicidal, has never lost her wild, romantic, youthful spirit. Ben is a television writer, living in Los Angeles, whose stagnant marriage to psychiatrist, Claire Clifton, has never fully recovered from the recent loss of their 5-year-old son, Andrew, to leukemia. Despite being separated for more than 16 years, hundreds of miles and personal tragedies, Lulu and Ben share a rare lifelong bond and the passion of their youthful romance has not faded over time.
Ben is shocked when he finds out that Lulu is in Los Angeles, but reluctantly agrees to meet with her. He tries to convince her to return to the safety of the institution, but wavers when she pleads with him "to go back to where it can start again." Lulu stuns Ben by telling him that she was pregnant when they broke up and was forced to put their child up for adoption. What follows is a poignant, cross-country trek in search of their son. Meanwhile, an upset Claire rushes after them in an effort to thwart Lulu and save her marriage. The three unexpectedly meet in a hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, setting off a series of heartrending, surprising, yet emotionally healing events. Lulu acts as a catalyst prompting Ben, Claire and several others to courageously face their self-imposed demons. Following this chance encounter the story draws to a dramatic climax that changes everyone's life for the better.
Another name change!
For veteran screenwriter John Kaye (WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM), the ensemble production was intensely personal. "It was essentially a story about my wife who was a schizophrenic and killed herself. It's like a love poem to her in a lot of ways." Kaye goes on to say that the movie is a fairly complex story, but in its simplest terms, it's a road picture. "I think it's about people taking risks with their lives ... people that get an opportunity to get a second chance and go for it." FOREVER LULU marked the feature film directorial debut of Kaye, who also penned the original screenplay.
Beginning her career at age sixteen in Arthur Penn's NIGHT MOVES, Melanie Griffith (CRAZY IN ALABAMA, WORKING GIRL) is one of today's most sought-after and versatile actresses, who has collaborated with some of the film industry's most important directors. Patrick Swayze (GHOST, POINT BREAK), made his film debut in 1979's SKATETOWN U.S.A. In 1987 he gained worldwide recognition when he starred as Johnny Castle in the box office hit DIRTY DANCING. Showcasing unusual versatility, Penelope Ann Miller (KINDERGARTEN COP, RHAPSODY IN BLOOM) has amassed an acclaimed, yet diverse, resume of performances in both film and television.
The cast also features Emmy-winning actor Richard Schiff ("The West Wing," DR. DOLITTLE), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("3rd Rock From The Sun," A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT), Lee Garlington (DANTE'S PEAK, SNEAKERS), Annie Corley (CIDER HOUSE RULES) and Steven Bauer (TRAFFIC).
Other members of the cast include Annie Corley, Richard Schiff, Michael J. Pollard and Steven Bauer.
Premiered on Starz March 3, 2001
Domestic Box Office: N/A
86 Minutes, Rated R, from Millenium Films and Green Moon Productions
Filmed in: California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Antelope Valley)
Alternate Title: Loving Lulu
Released on DVD in the U.S. as: Along for the Ride
===
===
===
===
===
===
 |
|
 |
