''People I Know'' is a 2002

crime drama Crime film is a film belonging to the crime fiction genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and fiction. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine with many other genres, such as Drama (film and television), dr ...

film directed by Daniel Algrant. The film stars

Al Pacino Alfredo James Pacino ( ; ; born April 25, 1940) is an American actor. Known for his intense performances on stage and screen, Pacino is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. His career spans more than five decades, duri ...

, 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 Miramax, LLC, formerly known as Miramax Films, is an American independent film and television production and distribution company owned by beIN Media Group and Paramount Global. Based in Los Angeles, California, it was founded on December 19, ...

. 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 An opiate is an alkaloid substance derived from opium (or poppy straw). It differs from the similar term ''opioid'' in that the latter is used to designate all substances, both natural and synthetic, that bind to opioid receptors in the brain ( ...

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

Filming

The filming took place in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

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. ''

Empire An empire is a political unit made up of several territories, military outpost (military), outposts, and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a hegemony, dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the ...

'' 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

's subdued performance – especially the scenes he shares with Basinger."

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

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."

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:People I Know 2002 films 2002 crime drama films American crime drama films English-language German films German crime drama films Films about actors Miramax films Impact of the September 11 attacks on cinema Films set in New York City Films shot in New York City Films directed by Daniel Algrant Films produced by Michael Nozik Films scored by Terence Blanchard 2000s English-language films 2000s American films 2000s German films English-language crime drama films