''Raising Buchanan'' is a 2019 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

produced by Amanda Melby, Joe Gruberman, Chadwick Struck and Cathy Shim, written and directed by Bruce Dellis. The film stars René Auberjonois in the role of the title character,

James Buchanan James Buchanan Jr. ( ; April 23, 1791June 1, 1868) was the 15th president of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He also served as the United States Secretary of State, secretary of state from 1845 to 1849 and represented Pennsylvan ...

, the 15th

president of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

, and was his final role released in his lifetime. He died in December 2019. The film was Bruce Dellis' first full-length feature. ''Raising Buchanan'' was filmed in and near

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

Plot

Ruth Kiesling is a 39-year-old woman with anger issues and a history of making poor decisions. Ruth sees an opportunity to turn her life around by stealing the body of a dead president to hold for ransom. However, she quickly learns that no one is particularly interested in getting him back.

Cast

* René Auberjonois as U.S. president

* Amanda Melby as Ruth Kiesling * Cathy Shim as Meg * Terence Bernie Hines as Phillip Crosby * M. Emmet Walsh as Larry Kiesling * Robert Ben Garant as Lancaster Guy * Jennifer Pfalzgraff as Holly * Steve Briscoe as Errol * Shannon Whirry as Parnella Monroe * Lynnette Brown as Gretchen * Max Bullis as Dante * Zoey Yeoman as Capt. Jarvis * Shelly Boucher as Trina * Laura Durant as Mrs. Warren

Production

Dellis shot the film on location in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Prescott and Paradise Valley, Arizona. He used an Arizona-based crew and nearly all of the actors were based in Arizona, with the exception of some key talent. Originally, actor/comedian Andy Dick was slated to play the part of Lancaster Guy, but performance issues and allegations of sexual improprieties caused his firing the day after his scene was shot. The scene was subsequently re-shot using Robert Ben Garant in the role of Lancaster Guy.

Soundtrack

Several songs on the soundtrack concern mining disasters. * "All This Could Be Yours" (written and performed by Jennifer Trynin) * "Game of Pricks" (written by Robert Pollard; performed by

Guided By Voices Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band formed in 1983 in Dayton, Ohio. It has made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard. The most well-known lineup of the band consisted o ...

) * " Timothy" (written by Rupert Holmes; performed by The Buoys) * "Last Day in the Mine" (written by Jimmy Key; performed by Dave Dudley) * "Explosion in the Fairmont Mine" (written and performed by Blind Alfred Reed) * "McBeth Mine Explosion" (performed by Cap, Andy, and Flip) * "Close the Coalhouse Door" (written and performed by Alex Glasgow) * "Bow Wow" (written by Benjamin Darvill and J. Hogarth; performed by Son of Dave) * " Cello Sonata No. 1, Op 38" (written by

Johannes Brahms Johannes Brahms (; ; 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period (music), Romantic period. His music is noted for its rhythmic vitality and freer treatment of dissonance, oft ...

; performed by Amanda Melby) * "Sonata Amanda, 3. Andante" (written by Douglas Durant; performed by Amanda Melby)

Accolades

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Raising Buchanan 2019 films 2019 independent films 2010s buddy comedy films Films about presidents of the United States Cultural depictions of James Buchanan American buddy comedy films American independent films Fictional characters from Arizona Films shot in Arizona 2010s English-language films 2010s American films English-language independent films English-language buddy comedy films