n.

The quality or state of being insignificant.

noun

Lack of importance: inconsequence, inconsequentiality, inconsequentialness, indifference, insignificancy, unimportance. See concern/unconcern.

• Rating:
• Genre: Comedy Drama
• Movie Type: Satire
• Director: Nicolas Roeg
• Main Cast: Gary Busey, Tony Curtis, Michael Emil, Theresa Russell, Will Sampson
• Release Year: 1985
• Country: US/UK
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• MPAA Rating: R

Plot

Using four famous but unnamed individuals to symbolize a notorious era in American politics, as well as to explore the nature of despair, director Nicolas Roeg has created an intriguing drama. Based on a play by Terry Johnson, the story begins with the blond Theresa Russell as a sex-goddess actress working on a scene over a subway grate, with her skirts billowing out in the updraft. A famous Professor from Princeton with white hair opens his door to the actress, who takes out a few props and goes through her rendition of the theory of relativity. Between her theatrical mode of speech and his world of mathematics, there is a certain entente. Enter the ballplayer who is her husband (Gary Busey), in love but without a clue as to the actress' inner sadness. Throw in the senator from Wisconsin (Tony Curtis) before whose sub-committee on Unamerican Activities the Professor has to appear, and the undercurrent of a societal witch-hunt that ruined many careers in Hollywood, in academics, in sports, and in politics is churned into the story. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Review

Insignificance is confusing, fascinating, and sometimes irritating. A fantasy about the meeting of four famous characters and a meditation on the meaning of celebrity, relationships, loneliness, and the inability to communicate, it's a challenging film that ultimately doesn't make much sense but which burrows into the viewer's mind and stays with him long after the film is over. Blessed with director Nicolas Roeg's unique visuals, the story stops at many points for flashbacks/digressions that sometimes add to our enjoyment and sometimes detract from it, including a final lengthy "bomb" segment that is quite disturbing, as well as a marvelous Marilyn Monroe calendar sequence. If Roeg is not interested in illuminating Terry Johnson's screenplay, he clearly is interested in pulling some first-rate performances from his actors. Theresa Russell's Monroe is no imitation but a carefully wrought distillation, and Michael Emil's Einstein is vulnerable and boyish. Gary Busey struggles a bit with DiMaggio, but overall is fine. Best is Tony Curtis, unafraid to chew any scenery in sight as McCarthy, and delivering one of his bravest performances as a result. Insignificance is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's a memorable experience. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Gary Busey - Ballplayer
• Tony Curtis - Senator
• Michael Emil - Professor
• Theresa Russell - Actress
• Will Sampson - Elevator Attendant

Raymond J. Barry - Ballplayer's Father
R.J. Bell - Theatrical Agent
Daniel Benzali - Theatrical Agent
Ray Charleson - Bud
Jude Ciccolella - Gaffer
Richard Davidson - Director of Photography
Mitchell Greenberg - Technician
Lou Hirsch - Charlie
George Holmes - Actor
Patrick Kilpatrick - Driver
Ian O'Connell - Assistant Director
Raynor Scheine - Autograph Hunter
Cassie Stuart - Young Actress
Joel Cutrara - Bar Drunk
Meachell Dunsmoor - Actress as a Child
Desiree Erasmus - Prostitute
David Lambert - Young Professor
David Montague - Young Senator
Shinobu Kanai - Japanese Woman
John Stamford - Young Ballplayer

Credit

Christine Beveridge - Makeup; David Brockhurst - Production Designer; Peter Hannan - Cinematographer; Shuna Harwood - Costume Designer; Terry Johnson - Screenwriter; Diana Johstone - Set Designer; Tony Lawson - Editor; Stanley Myers - Composer (Music Score); Nicolas Roeg - Director; Arthur Max Shafransky - Art Director; Jeremy Thomas - Producer; Alan Whibley - Special Effects; Hans Zimmer - Composer (Music Score); Paul LeMare - Sound/Sound Designer

Similar Movies

Mon Oncle d'Amérique; The Notorious Bettie Page; Human Nature; Finding Graceland; Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus

Quotes:

"We are merely the stars tennis-balls, struck and bandied which way please them." - John Webster

"No man is much regarded by the rest of the world. He that considers how little he dwells upon the condition of others, will learn how little the attention of others is attracted by himself. While we see multitudes passing before us, of whom perhaps not one appears to deserve our notice or excites our sympathy, we should remember, that we likewise are lost in the same throng, that the eye which happens to glance upon us is turned in a moment on him that follows us, and that the utmost which we can reasonably hope or fear is to fill a vacant hour with prattle, and be forgotten." - Samuel Johnson

"There is hardly any one so insignificant that he does not seem imposing to some one at some time." - Charles Horton Cooley

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