Author: Chris P
Location: IL
Mocambo
A Fox Searchlight Pictures Film
Based on the Stage Play "Marilyn & Ella"
Directed and Adapted by Bill Condon
Cinematography by Dion Beebe
Editing by Virginia Katz
Music by Terence Blanchard
Main Cast:
Queen Latifah as Ella Fitzgerald
Scarlett Johansson as Marilyn Monroe
Liev Schreiber as Norman Granz
Adrien Brody as Joe DiMaggio
Nate Parker as Ray Brown
Victor Garber as Charlie Morrison
and
Alan Alda as Lee Strasberg
Tagline: "Two stars collide."
Synopsis: Spring 1955. In the past 15 years, the atmosphere of the Mocambo nightclub in California have been surrounded with the presence of the day's glamorous movie stars and music aficionados. This is Hollywood's most illustrious spot and any starving musicians's chance for a breakthrough. For each night, the rich and famous coincide alongside the live beats of prolific recording artists to celebrate decadence. One gig here, could essentially make an entire career.
For jazz performer, Ella Fitzgerald (Latifah) and tour manager Norman Granz (Schreiber), playing at the Mocambo seems like a far fetched fantasy. Especially during the times of a burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Despite any once of mainstream popularity, African-Americans are limited to small and sometimes secluded venues where their respect is seen onstage yet restricted through the back doors of a crowded house. Unlike alot of "negro" singers, Ella transcends the color barrier. Dubbed "The First Lady of Jazz", her internal reminiscences of struggles faced as an abused and orphaned young girl culminate into the angelic but fierce voice of a physically robust woman. A talent which Granz, an infamous pro-rights advocate, finds enduring enough to risk his reputation and well being. Particularly in Jim Crow states, such as Texas, where his protest for equality leads to prison.
Enter Marilyn Monroe (Johansson). Recently suspended from Fox Studios for refusing yet another stereotypical blonde bimbo role, Monroe has decided to endure a well deserved break from the motion picture business. Her pending divorce to baseball giant Joe DiMaggio (Brody) has also taken a tremendous toil on her emotionally. She could no longer succumb to the innately jealous but sincerely protective ways of DiMaggio whose rage over her appearance as a sexy neighbor in The Seven Year Itch causes embarrassment and shock. For Monroe, her seductive public image is way of hiding away insecurities that have lingered within her for years. To strengthen her confidence as an actress and woman, she finds solace in the guidance of acting coach, Lee Strasberg (Alda). His tough yet encouraging criticisms challenge Monroe mentally but inspire her for greatness. Thus, this is where two stars collide...
Mocambo owner, Charlie Morrison (Garber) is used to catering the stars. He built his establishment purely based on relationships with the powerful. So when Marilyn Monroe called, he seized the opportunity for a potential media blitz. For an entire week, Monroe agrees to attend the club if only Fitzgerald is allowed to headline each night she's present. Through her journey of rediscovery, Monroe found power in recordings of Ella's soulful vocals. At first hesitant to allow a Black performer to sing at the club, Morrison consents to Monroe's alluring mystique. From then on, Fitzgerald's career skyrockets. But with her success comes an unusual yet intimate friendship between the two women. Both can relate to the harrowing guilt brought upon by troubled childhoods, physical expectations, and failed marriages. Soon, Ella opens up about her disappointment from separating with her younger ex-husband, Ray Brown (Parker), a jazz bassist, and abandoning her child in favor of a career. Monroe reveals her inner fears of loneliness and a desire for acceptance. "Mocambo" is the true story of two different women and their interconnecting paths formed to create a long lasting bond.
Press Section: "Mocambo", the exciting new film from director/screenwriter Bill Condon (Dreamgirls), is a compelling story about an unlikely friendship between two diverse women and their unique parallel paths. Condon's flashy yet sincere direction brings depth to the screenplay's smart dialogue in a fresh, interesting, way. The audience strongly sympathizes with the film's themes of loneliness, regret, and prejudice but feels warmth from the character's conversations.
Queen Latifah stars as Ella Fitzgerald. Her performance is a subtle, full bodied portrayal of a woman with many regrets but unstoppable determination. The musical sequences where Latifah belts out many of Fitzgerald's classic hits is nothing short of showstopping. She truly embodies the essence of her soulfulness especially during "Pete Kelly's Blues". Scarlett Johansson takes on the impossible challenge of portraying the omnipresent Marilyn Monroe. But instead of mimicking Monroe's persona and mannerisms she creates a character bound with compassion and affection. The vulnerability Johansson displays captures Monroe's complexities as a woman who desired and gave love even when she felt insecure about her failures. It's a dynamic, career defining, performance. As Fitzgerald's manager, Norman Granz, Liev Schreiber does an excellent job of playing a man whose convictions against discrimination confront the status quo of a racist nation. Schreiber's delivery is cleverly nuanced and astute. He gives the character a heart that resonates with viewers. In a supporting role, Oscar®-winner Adrien Brody delivers an effective performance as Monroe's ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio. His inability to come to terms with his wife's sexual public image shows DiMaggio as a hurt but deeply compassionate figure whose pride for love ends in sadness. The disappointment felt through Brody's eyes demonstrates DiMaggio's flawed attempt at protecting his desirable spouse. Alan Alda takes a surprise scene stealing role as acting coach Lee Strasberg. Alda plays Strasberg as a tough, no holds barred, man who admires Monroe's spirit but isn't afraid to provoke her inner fears. He gives a brief but sensational performance.
Overall, "Mocambo" is one the most entertaining films of the year. From the outstanding cast to the superb directing and intimately written screenplay. This film should not be missed.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Bill Condon
Best Actor - Liev Schreiber
Best Actress - Queen Latifah
Best Actress - Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actor - Adrien Brody
Best Supporting Actor - Alan Alda
Best Adapted Screenplay
And In All Technical Categories
Location: IL
Mocambo
A Fox Searchlight Pictures Film
Based on the Stage Play "Marilyn & Ella"
Directed and Adapted by Bill Condon
Cinematography by Dion Beebe
Editing by Virginia Katz
Music by Terence Blanchard
Main Cast:
Queen Latifah as Ella Fitzgerald
Scarlett Johansson as Marilyn Monroe
Liev Schreiber as Norman Granz
Adrien Brody as Joe DiMaggio
Nate Parker as Ray Brown
Victor Garber as Charlie Morrison
and
Alan Alda as Lee Strasberg
Tagline: "Two stars collide."
Synopsis: Spring 1955. In the past 15 years, the atmosphere of the Mocambo nightclub in California have been surrounded with the presence of the day's glamorous movie stars and music aficionados. This is Hollywood's most illustrious spot and any starving musicians's chance for a breakthrough. For each night, the rich and famous coincide alongside the live beats of prolific recording artists to celebrate decadence. One gig here, could essentially make an entire career.
For jazz performer, Ella Fitzgerald (Latifah) and tour manager Norman Granz (Schreiber), playing at the Mocambo seems like a far fetched fantasy. Especially during the times of a burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Despite any once of mainstream popularity, African-Americans are limited to small and sometimes secluded venues where their respect is seen onstage yet restricted through the back doors of a crowded house. Unlike alot of "negro" singers, Ella transcends the color barrier. Dubbed "The First Lady of Jazz", her internal reminiscences of struggles faced as an abused and orphaned young girl culminate into the angelic but fierce voice of a physically robust woman. A talent which Granz, an infamous pro-rights advocate, finds enduring enough to risk his reputation and well being. Particularly in Jim Crow states, such as Texas, where his protest for equality leads to prison.
Enter Marilyn Monroe (Johansson). Recently suspended from Fox Studios for refusing yet another stereotypical blonde bimbo role, Monroe has decided to endure a well deserved break from the motion picture business. Her pending divorce to baseball giant Joe DiMaggio (Brody) has also taken a tremendous toil on her emotionally. She could no longer succumb to the innately jealous but sincerely protective ways of DiMaggio whose rage over her appearance as a sexy neighbor in The Seven Year Itch causes embarrassment and shock. For Monroe, her seductive public image is way of hiding away insecurities that have lingered within her for years. To strengthen her confidence as an actress and woman, she finds solace in the guidance of acting coach, Lee Strasberg (Alda). His tough yet encouraging criticisms challenge Monroe mentally but inspire her for greatness. Thus, this is where two stars collide...
Mocambo owner, Charlie Morrison (Garber) is used to catering the stars. He built his establishment purely based on relationships with the powerful. So when Marilyn Monroe called, he seized the opportunity for a potential media blitz. For an entire week, Monroe agrees to attend the club if only Fitzgerald is allowed to headline each night she's present. Through her journey of rediscovery, Monroe found power in recordings of Ella's soulful vocals. At first hesitant to allow a Black performer to sing at the club, Morrison consents to Monroe's alluring mystique. From then on, Fitzgerald's career skyrockets. But with her success comes an unusual yet intimate friendship between the two women. Both can relate to the harrowing guilt brought upon by troubled childhoods, physical expectations, and failed marriages. Soon, Ella opens up about her disappointment from separating with her younger ex-husband, Ray Brown (Parker), a jazz bassist, and abandoning her child in favor of a career. Monroe reveals her inner fears of loneliness and a desire for acceptance. "Mocambo" is the true story of two different women and their interconnecting paths formed to create a long lasting bond.
Press Section: "Mocambo", the exciting new film from director/screenwriter Bill Condon (Dreamgirls), is a compelling story about an unlikely friendship between two diverse women and their unique parallel paths. Condon's flashy yet sincere direction brings depth to the screenplay's smart dialogue in a fresh, interesting, way. The audience strongly sympathizes with the film's themes of loneliness, regret, and prejudice but feels warmth from the character's conversations.
Queen Latifah stars as Ella Fitzgerald. Her performance is a subtle, full bodied portrayal of a woman with many regrets but unstoppable determination. The musical sequences where Latifah belts out many of Fitzgerald's classic hits is nothing short of showstopping. She truly embodies the essence of her soulfulness especially during "Pete Kelly's Blues". Scarlett Johansson takes on the impossible challenge of portraying the omnipresent Marilyn Monroe. But instead of mimicking Monroe's persona and mannerisms she creates a character bound with compassion and affection. The vulnerability Johansson displays captures Monroe's complexities as a woman who desired and gave love even when she felt insecure about her failures. It's a dynamic, career defining, performance. As Fitzgerald's manager, Norman Granz, Liev Schreiber does an excellent job of playing a man whose convictions against discrimination confront the status quo of a racist nation. Schreiber's delivery is cleverly nuanced and astute. He gives the character a heart that resonates with viewers. In a supporting role, Oscar®-winner Adrien Brody delivers an effective performance as Monroe's ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio. His inability to come to terms with his wife's sexual public image shows DiMaggio as a hurt but deeply compassionate figure whose pride for love ends in sadness. The disappointment felt through Brody's eyes demonstrates DiMaggio's flawed attempt at protecting his desirable spouse. Alan Alda takes a surprise scene stealing role as acting coach Lee Strasberg. Alda plays Strasberg as a tough, no holds barred, man who admires Monroe's spirit but isn't afraid to provoke her inner fears. He gives a brief but sensational performance.
Overall, "Mocambo" is one the most entertaining films of the year. From the outstanding cast to the superb directing and intimately written screenplay. This film should not be missed.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Bill Condon
Best Actor - Liev Schreiber
Best Actress - Queen Latifah
Best Actress - Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actor - Adrien Brody
Best Supporting Actor - Alan Alda
Best Adapted Screenplay
And In All Technical Categories