People I Know

People I Know
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Daniel Algrant
Written by	Jon Robin Baitz
Produced by	Michael Nozik
Starring	Al Pacino Kim Basinger Ryan O'Neal Téa Leoni
Cinematography	Peter Deming
Edited by	Suzy Elmiger
Music by	Terence Blanchard
Production companies	Myriad Pictures South Fork Pictures Pacific Data Images
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release dates	October 11, 2002 (2002-10-11) (Italy) April 25, 2003 (2003-04-25) (United States)
Running time	100 minutes
Countries	Germany United States
Language	English
Box office	$5,484,302

People I Know is a 2002 crime drama film directed by Daniel Algrant. The film stars Al Pacino, Kim Basinger, Ryan O'Neal and Téa Leoni.

People I Know premiered in Italy on October 11, 2002, and was released in the United States on April 25, 2003, by Miramax Films. The film received mixed reviews.

Plot

Eli Wurman is an aging, burnt-out Jewish publicist whose best days are behind him, and he wishes to retire from his line of work, but all he knows is how to hustle, cajole, threaten and persuade. The hazy mania of his everyday life is fueled by a steady stream of prescription drugs and alcohol. One night, Eli's last remaining "big client" Cary Launer—an actor considering a campaign for political office—entreats Eli to take care of his latest publicity mess, a dangerous liaison with Jilli Hopper, a hard-shelled, quick-tongued television actress with a soft center and a taste for illegal drugs.

Jilli takes Eli to a drug and sex den that is a place to party for the rich and famous, where she claims to be looking for a toy. Jilli is escorted off the premises by security. As she demands to know where her toy is, it is given to her, and she tells the guards, "I got all of you now". Eli is too stoned to understand the exchange.

Eli takes her back to the hotel room, where he takes more pills and passes out after witnessing what appears to be the actress's rape and murder. But in his opiate daze, he cannot be sure. By the next morning, the memory is forgotten, and he needs to organize a charity benefit.

Eli is tempted to permanently leave New York with Victoria, Eli's former sister-in-law and widow of his deceased brother. Victoria's feelings for Eli are mutual, and she genuinely cares about and desires him. She offers life away from his current lifestyle. However, Eli is hesitant because she is his brother's widow.

Eli's work is interrupted by the police who question him and by acquaintances trying to ascertain how much that Eli has seen and recalls. Eli finally realizes that he is involved in something politically dangerous, and powerful forces are at play to keep his mouth shut. As he strives to bring together the people who he knows—members of the Black and Jewish communities, film stars and media—for the grand fundraiser, Eli's life is in grave danger.

Eli struggles with remembering what had happened that night. Through a series of flashbacks, combined with visits from the people who he knows, it becomes apparent that Eli's life is in danger, but Eli fails to realize it. The people who Eli trusts are the people who are threatened by the photos. Eli pulls off a successful event surrounded by these individuals. The fundraiser is a success, but unfortunately, Eli is killed by the people who helped make it so.

Cast

• Al Pacino as Eli Wurman
• Kim Basinger as Victoria Gray
• Ryan O'Neal as Cary Launer
• Téa Leoni as Jilli Hopper
• Richard Schiff as Elliot Sharansky
• Bill Nunn as The Reverend Lyle Brunt
• Robert Klein as Dr. Sandy Napier
• Mark Webber as Ross
• Brian McConnachie as Jamie Hoff
• Frank Wood as Michael Wormly
• Peter Gerety as Norris Volpe
• Betsy Aidem as Talia Greene

Filming

The filming took place in New York City in February 2001.

Release

The film was originally scheduled to be released in late 2001. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, however, the film was postponed to an October 2002 release, due to the film containing shots of the World Trade Center that were removed from the film before its release. They can be found on the DVD release.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 45% of 56 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "The derivative plot fails to cohere or draw the viewer in." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

Empire gave a largely positive review, awarding four stars out of five, noting, "May be a slow-burn, but despite its lack of success elsewhere, it's still more than worthy of its long-delayed cinema release. Discerning audiences willing to invest in the characters will soon warm to the downbeat story and Al Pacino's subdued performance – especially the scenes he shares with Basinger."

BBC called it an "intriguing but deeply flawed thriller".

Time Out's review observed, "With its uncertainties of tone, this is a mess, full of misplaced performances (not least Basinger as Eli's supportive sister-in-law), misfires and moral inconsistencies. But its rebellious spirit is commendable."

External links

• People I Know at IMDb
• People I Know at Box Office Mojo
• People I Know at Rotten Tomatoes
• People I Know at Metacritic