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