Stuffy British author Giles De'Ath (John Hurt) has been completely untouched by the modern world. One day, after an interviewer asks if he's ever considered adapting his best sellers for the screen, he decides to investigate cinema costume dramas. By accident , he views the teen movie Hotpants College 2 instead, and becomes instantly enchanted by Hollywood hunk Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley star of Beverly Hills 90210). Soon after , the eccentric De'Ath drives to Ronnies' Long Island home where he ingratiates himself into the brat pack's actor's private life. But how will Ronnie react when he finally learns what's really on his new mentor's mind?With some highly amusing Anglo - American cross cultural collisions providing some amusing asides, and Ronnie's sharp all American girlfriend (Fiona Loewi) keeping a sharply protective eye on the eccentric De'Ath, Love and Death on Long Island is a delightfully off beat comedy. Whilst poking fun at not only the modern world of film acting, Love and Death on Long Island looks into the chasm between an older, more mannered age and the crass, instant gratification world we find ourselves in... Special Features: * Theatrical trailer
Review
An older artist, shunned by the white-hot media of the contemporary world, begins to glow again when he meets a handsome, not-altogether all-American boy. In 1998, two writer-directors brought extraordinary care to this subject, creating films that appeared on several top 10 lists. Gods and Monsters won an Oscar for Bill Condon's screenplay and a nomination for Ian McKellen's acting. Richard Kwietniowski's Love and Death on Long Island was forgotten during the award season. John Hurt has rarely been better as Giles De'Ath, a renowned British author of dry, laborious text. By sheer accident he sees a Porky's-type comedy at the theater: Hot Pants College II. About to leave, he spies on screen his very idea of beauty: a near-talentless American actor named Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley, in another deft, underseen performance). So starts De'Ath's very long trek out of his shell. He is so out of touch that when he purchases a VCR (to see the original Hot Pants College, no less), he doesn't realize he needs a TV set to view the picture. By film's end, he will meet his idol and jump into an abyss. Kwietniowski's debut film has uncommon sensitivity in the realm of fantasy and dream makers. As with Gods and Monsters, its homosexual undercurrent can play comfortably in front of straight viewers looking for crisp writing, fresh perspectives, and great acting. --Doug Thomas
