''Illuminata'' is a 1998

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

film directed by

John Turturro John Michael Turturro (; born February 28, 1957) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his contributions to the independent film movement. He has appeared in over sixty feature films and has worked frequently with the Coen brothers, ...

and written by Brandon Cole and Turturro, based on Cole's play ''Imperfect Love''. The cinematographer was

Harris Savides Harris Savides (; Greek: Χάρης Σαββίδης; September 28, 1957 – October 9, 2012)Weber, BrucHarris Savides, Visual Poet, Dies at 55''New York Times'', October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012. was an American cinematographer. No ...

. The puppet sequences were done by Roman Paska. Music for the 'Tuccio Operatic Dream Sequence' was composed by Richard Termini.

Plot

The plot follows the backstage dramas of a turn-of-the-century New York theater company struggling to produce a new work.

Cast

as Tuccio, the playwright *Katherine Borowitz as Rachel, Tuccio's girlfriend, an actress * Beverly D'Angelo as Astergourd, a theater owner *

Donal McCann Donal McCann (7 May 1943 – 17 July 1999) was an Irish stage, film, and television actor best known for his roles in the works of Brian Friel and for his lead role in John Huston's last film, '' The Dead''. In 2020, he was listed as number ...

as Pallenchio, Astergourd's husband * Georgina Cates as Simone, an actress *

Susan Sarandon Susan Abigail Sarandon (; née Tomalin; born October 4, 1946) is an American actorMcCabe, Bruce"Susan Sarandon, the 'actor'" ''Boston Globe''. April 17, 1981. Retrieved January 21, 2021. and activist. She is the recipient of various accolades, ...

as Celimene, an aging actress * Christopher Walken as Umberto Bevalaqua, an influential theater critic *

Ben Gazzara Biagio Anthony Gazzara (August 28, 1930 – February 3, 2012) was an American actor and director of film, stage, and television. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Drama Desk Award, in addition to nominatio ...

as Old Flavio, an actor in the company *

Rufus Sewell Rufus Frederik Sewell (; born 29 October 1967) is a British film and stage actor. In film, he has appeared in '' Carrington'' (1995), '' ''Hamlet' (1996), ''Dangerous Beauty'' (1998), '' Dark City'' (1998), '' A Knight's Tale ''(2001), '' Th ...

as Dominique, a young actor in the company * Bill Irwin as Marco, a bit player and the object of Bevalaqua's affections *

Aida Turturro Aida Turturro ( ; born September 25, 1962) is an American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Janice Soprano on the HBO drama series ''The Sopranos''. Early life and education Aida Turturro was born in Buffalo, New York, daughter of ...

as Marta *

Rocco Sisto Rocco Sisto (born February 18, 1953) is an Italian-American stage, film, television and voice actor. Early life Sisto was born on February 18, 1953 in Bari, Italy, and moved to Addison, Illinois at an unknown age. He attended and graduated Addis ...

as Prince *

Matthew Sussman Matthew Sussman, also known as Nathan Price, is an American actor, photographer and documentary filmmaker. Early life Sussman graduated from Brown University and was trained at the Yale School of Drama. Career Sussman has appeared in numerous ...

as Piero

Reception

Awards

1998 Cannes Film Festival The 51st Cannes Film Festival was held from 13 to 24 May 1998. American director, producer, screenwriter, and film historian Martin Scorsese was the Jury President. The Palme d'Or went to the Greek film '' Mia aioniotita kai mia mera'' by Theo An ...

–

Palme d'Or The Palme d'Or (; en, Golden Palm) is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee. Previously, from 1939 to 1954, the festival's highest prize was the Grand Prix du Fe ...

Nomination (John Turturro)

References

Bibliography

* Martin, Mick. DVD & Video Guide 2007. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006. * ''"Backstage With a Cast Of Foibles and Follies"'' The New York Times, August 6, 1999.

External links

* * * 1998 films American romantic comedy films Films set in New York City American films based on plays Films set in the 1900s 1998 romantic comedy films Films directed by John Turturro 1990s English-language films 1990s American films {{1990s-romantic-comedy-film-stub