Insignificance [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/14/2011
UPC:	0715515081412
Original Release:	1985
Rating:	R
Source:	Criterion Collection
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	12,937

Special Features

New Video Interviews with Roeg and Thomas and with Editor Tony Lawson; ; Making "Insignificance," a short documentary shot on the set of the film; ; Original Theatrical Trailer; Plus: A Booklet featuring an Essay by film critic Chuck Stephens and a reprinted exchange between Roeg and Screenwriter Terry Johnson

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Tony Curtis	The Senator
Gary Busey	The Ball Player
Theresa Russell	The Actress
Michael Emil	The Professor
Will Sampson	Elevator Attendant
Patrick Kilpatrick	Driver
Ian O'Connell	Assistant Director
George Holmes	Actor
Richard Davidson	Director of Photography,Director of Photography
Mitchell Greenberg	Technician
Raynor Scheine	Autograph Hunter
Jude Ciccolella	Gaffer
Lou Hirsch	Charlie
Ray Charleson	Bud
Joel Cutrara	Bar Drunk
Raymond J. Barry	Ballplayer's Father
John Stamford	Young Ballplayer
Desiree Erasmus	Prostitute
David Lambert	Young Professor
Cassie Stuart	Young Actress
Meachell Dunsmoor	Actress as a Child
Daniel Benzali	Theatrical Agent
R.J. Bell	Theatrical Agent
Shinobu Kanai	Japanese Woman
David Montague	Young Senator
Stanley Myers	Composer
Hans Zimmer	Composer

Technical Credits

Terry Johnson

Nicolas Roeg	Director
Alexander Stuart	Executive Producer
Jeremy Thomas	Producer
Terry Johnson	Screenwriter
Alan Whibley	Special Effects
Paul LeMare	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

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.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler