PaulSchrader directs his 22nd picture, “TheCardCounter.”Writer-director PaulSchrader in a press photo for “TheCardCounter.”
On this week’s episode of TheFilmography podcast, Bjorn and I take a deep dive into PaulSchrader’s 22nd picture, 2021’s “TheCardCounter.”
Listen to TheFilmography podcast on Spotify (with the above link), Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes streaming Fridays.Character Posters for PaulSchrader’s “TheCardCounter.”
“TheCardCounter” stars Oscar Isaac as William Tell, a gambler with a dark past, another of Schrader’s “man in a room” characters, which we know as soon as we see him sat at his table writing in his journal, as these men in rooms tend to do in Schrader pictures.
A man in a room writing in his journal.
Tell is seeking redemption through his relationship with a troubled young protégée, played by TyeSheridan (“ReadyPlayerOne“).
Tye Sheridan as Cirk.
The relationship between the two men is a gender swap for the older man/younger woman (or girl) relationships we have seen in other Schrader pictures, from “TaxiDriver” (JodieFoster) to “Hardcore” (SeasonHubley).
The protégé and the mentor.
Rounding out the cast of principal players is TiffanyHaddish (“Girl’sTrip“) as La Linda, a manager of card players who recruits, then slowly falls for Isaac’s William Tell.
TiffanyHaddish as La Linda.William Tell and La Linda fall into romance.Fast Eddie returns in “The Color of Money“
La Linda reminds me of Paul Newman’s and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio’s characters from Scorsese’s “The Color of Money” combined, serving as both William Tell’s backer and his love interest.
Paul Newman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Scorsese’s “The Color of Money.“
Incidentally, “TheColorofMoney” director (and frequent Schrader collaborator) MartinScorsese also serves as Executive Producer of “TheCardCounter.”
“The Color of Money” one-sheet.
And like “TheColorofMoney” the film is more pre-occupied with the interpersonal relationships of its central trio than the mechanics of the pool or poker.
In the villainous role of Major John Gordo, WillemDafoe returns for his 8th collaboration with Schrader.
WillemDafoe returns for his 8th Schrader picture.
Most of the Maj. Gordo storyline takes place in flashbacks to William Tell’s military past, a new approach to the “man in a room” picture, which have previously avoided the use of flashbacks.
Extreme wide angles used for the flashback sequences.
Another unusual component to the flashback sequences is the use of an extreme wide angle lens, something that would not have been out of place amongst the visual experimentations of Schrader’s “DogEatDog” but feels new to these men in a room pictures.
OscarIsaac in a still from “”TheCardCounter.”
Like the endless musical variations on a theme that Schrader’s “Mishima” composer PhilipGlass is able to create in ways that always feel fresh and new, Schrader’s variations on his “man in a room” stories continue to feel like discoveries of new territories rather than retreads of familiar grounds.
Schrader and Isaac enjoy a lighter moment on set.
After the success and accolades of “FirstReformed,” it’s exciting to see Schrader follow it up with another powerful narrative about guilt and the search for love and redemption.
Schrader directs Isaac on set.
Though “FirstReformed” is the more celebrated film, I prefer “TheCardCounter” for reasons that are hard to articulate, and would require revealing some of the pictures biggest surprises. For that, and all of the highs and lows of one of Schrader’s best pictures, you’ll have to tune into the podcast and hear for yourself!
Schrader with his cast.
Watch the trailer for “The Card Counter” here:
The Card Counter trailer on YouTube
Listen to Philip Glass’ complete score for Schrader’s “Mishima”:
Glass’ “Mishima” score on YouTube.
Read the Guardian’s article on Schrader‘s and Dafoe’s creative partnership here:
Paul Schrader in press photo for “First Reformed.“
On this week’s episode of TheFilmography podcast, Bjorn and I take a deep dive into PaulSchrader’s 21’s picture, “FirstReformed,” for which he received his first Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.
Listen to TheFilmography on Spotify (link above), Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.Ethan Hawke as Reverend Toller in my favourite still from “First Reformed.” Just look at that pink and purple sky! Like something out of an impressionist painting.PaulSchrader in a press photo for “FirstReformed.”
With “FirstReformed,” PaulSchrader’s wilderness years are finally over. It seems “DogEatDog” did what it was supposed to do, blasted away all the cobwebs, cleansed the palate (especially of “TheCanyons”), done away with all of the experimentations of genre and style, and returned Schrader to his transcendental roots, exploring the influence of austere filmmakers like Ozu, Bresson, and Dreyer, on whom Schrader wrote the book that launched his career as a film critic even before he became a celebrated screenwriter and director.
Paul Schrader’s classic text on the style of Ozu, Bresson, and Dreyer.
From the moment we see Ethan Hawke alone in a room, sitting at a table, writing in a journal, we know immediately that this is not just a Paul Schrader picture, but one of his “man in a room” stories, a cycle which began with “Taxi Driver,” and includes “American Gigolo” (no journal writing), “Light Sleeper,” “The Walker” (no journal), “FirstReformed,” and following that, “TheCard Counter,” and “MasterGardner.”
These films are linked with common themes of isolation and self-destructive violence.
Out of bullets, DeNiro’s finger becomes a weapon.Willem Dafoe goes kamikaze in “LightSleeper,” and survives.Ethan Hawke works out his Jesus complex in “FirstReformed.”
“FirstReformed” recalls “TaxiDriver” in many other ways, too. Some similarities are superficial, referencing specific shots, such as the Pepto Bismol in the whiskey glass in “FirstReformed,” and the Alka Seltzer in water in “TaxiDriver.”
Breakfast of champions in “First Reformed.”MartinScorsese’s out-of-the-box AlkaSeltzer ad from “TaxiDriver.”
Some references are more profound, such as the protagonists of both films attempting to save themselves by saving a young woman. In the case of “TaxiDriver,” that woman was initially a romantic interest, as played by CybilSheppard, before morphing into an actual rescue attempt, with the character played by JodieFoster.
CybilSheppard as Betsy, a campaign worker DeNiro’sTravisBickle fixates on.JodieFoster as Iris, an adolescent sex worker that Travis attempts to rescue.
In “FirstReformed,” both parts manifest in one character. Played by AmandaSeyfried, Mary is one of Reverend Tiller’s parishioners, a pregnant widow to whom he feels an immense sense of responsibility, since he blames himself for her husband’s suicide.
AmandaSeyfried as Mary in “FirstReformed.”
Unlike Travis’ relationships with Betsy or Iris, Rev. Tiller’s feelings for Mary are reciprocated, fuelled by a shared sense of grief and trauma. It is Schrader’s most tender romance to date, culminating in a hyper-stylized “magical mystery tour” sequence (as Bjorn calls it) that would have eyes rolling in the hands of most other directors, but coming from such an unsentimental filmmaker as Schrader, is actually quite moving.
AmandaSeyfried in a still from “FirstReformed.”The “magical mystery tour” sequence in “FirstReformed.”Three men in a room (though two are pictured outside here!): EthanHawke, OscarIsaac, and JoelEdgerton.
With the success and acclaim of “FirstReformed” Schrader must have realized he had finally hit upon the winning formula. His next two pictures, “TheCardCounter,” and “MasterGardner,” would complete an unofficial “man in the room” trilogy.
The “man in a room” trilogy.
Though “LightSleeper” remains my favourite Schrader Picture, “FirstReformed” may very well be his best. For the full breakdown on why, you’ll have to listen to the podcast!
Rare photo of Schrader smiling!
Watch the trailer for “FirstReformed” here:
“FirstReformed” trailer on YouTube.
Listen to Schrader’s audio commentary for “First Reformed” here:
Audio commentary by PaulSchrader for “FirstReformed” on YouTube.
Watch the “magical mystery tour” sequence from “FirstReformed” here:
EthanHawke takes AmandaSeyfried on a “magical mystery tour” in “FirstReformed.” “FirstReformed” double exposure image from Mubi.com
“I’ve made some important films. ‘Dog Eat Dog’ is not one of them.” –Paul Schrader
Paul Schrader directs “Dog Eat Dog.”
On this week’s episode of TheFilmography podcast, Bjorn and I take a deep dive into PaulSchrader’s wildest picture yet, 2016’s bonkers neo-noir “DogEatDog.”
Nicolas Cage sees red in “Dog Eat Dog.”
The film marks the second collaboration between Schrader and Nicolas Cage following their mutual dissatisfaction with the removal of Schrader as director in the botched post-production process of finishing their first picture together, 2014’s “DyingoftheLight.”
Japanese poster.“DogEatDog” author EdwardBunker as Mr. Blue (with MichaelMadsen) in QuentinTarantino’s debut film, “ReservoirDogs.”Edward Bunker’s novel, on which MathewWilder’s screenplay is based.
Adapted from (most of) the novel of the same name by Edward “Mr. Blue” Bunker (“ReservoirDogs”) , the film features a totally unhinged supporting turn from Willem Dafoe, who was absolutely riveting 17 years earlier opposite Edward Furlong in the excellent EddieBunker adaptation “Animal Factory,” directed by Bunker’s fellow “ReservoirDogs” alum, Steve “Mr. Pink” Buscemi (who also played a small part).
WillemDafoe tripping out in “DogEatDog.”Steve Buscemi and Edward Bunker as co-stars in Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs.”Willem Dafoe with Eddie Furlong in Steve Buscemi’s adaptation of Edward Bunker’s “Animal Factory.”Willem Dafoe in “AnimalFactory”Steve Buscemi in “Animal Factory”Buscemi, stepping behind the camera into the director’s role on his debut picture, “TreesLounge.”Poster for “Animal Factory.”The devil in Mr. Defoe: “Dog Eat Dog.”
Apparently, after playing smaller parts in “Affliction” and “TheWalker,” Dafoe told Schrader not to bother casting him again unless he had a truly interesting character for himto sink his famous teeth into. Dafoe got his wish (and more!) in a role that sees him at his most uninhibited, crazed, and funniest best.
Dafoe freaking even himself out with his extreme behaviour.
It’s not the first time that Dafoe and Cage have brought out the extreme in each other on screen before, having previously co-starred in DavidLynch’s brilliantly deranged ode to “TheWizardofOz,’ 1992’s “WildAt Heart.”
Cage and Dafoe in Lynch’s “WildatHeart.”Cage as Troy in “Dog Eat Dog.”
In the lead role, NicolasCage demonstrates some of his best and worst thespian instincts. For instance, he spends much of the film impersonating HumphreyBogart, an alternately amusing and distracting creative choice that he apparently surprised Schrader with on the day.
Cage in HumphreyBogart mode.The real thing: Bogart in his best and most iconic role in “Casablanca.”
Rounding out the trio of disorganized criminals at the heart of the film is ChristopherMathewCook (“Treme,” “2Guns”), who steals many scenes from his much more famous co-stars.
The three stooges: Dafoe, Cage, and Cook cosplay in their police uniforms.Cook as “Diesel,” the muscle in Cage’s crew.
In particular, Cook is excellent in a scene with one of the few female characters in the film, played with great depth and tenderness (despite her limited screen time) by LouisaKrause (“Billions,” TheGirlfriendExperience” series).
Krause and Cook in a standout scene.Krause as Zoe in “Dog Eat Dog.”
With its midnight-black humour and outrageous violence, “DogEatDog” is a lot of fun, and certainly a step up from the last Schrader–Cage flick, “DyingoftheLight,” though it’s hardly a masterpiece.
Dafoe blows the audience away as Mad Dog in “DogEatDog.”
If nothing else, it’s the shotgun-blast, who-gives-a-fuck picture that Schrader clearly needed to make before he was ready to return to his transcendental roots a year later for what is, arguably, his true masterpiece, “FirstReformed.”
Poster for “FirstReformed.”Schrader in press photo for “Dog Eat Dog.”
Schrader even makes a rare (and entertaining) cameo in the film as “El Greco” (The Greek), a decidedly non-Greek mobster.
PaulSchrader as “The Greek.”
For the complete breakdown of all the highs and lows of Schrader’s 20th picture (including a debate on the meaning of that mad ending!), you will have to check out the full Filmography podcast episode below:
Listen to TheFilmography on Spotify (with above link), Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch the trailer for “DogEatDog” here:
“DogEatDog” trailer on YouTube.
Watch an interview with PaulSchrader on “DogEatDog” here:
And before next week’s episode of The Filmography where Bjorn and I will take a deep dive into “FirstReformed,” check out PaulSchrader’s definitive treatise on “Transcendental Style in Film: Ozu, Bresson, Dryer” here:
“‘Dying of the Light,’ a film I wrote and directed, was taken away from me after the submission of the Director’s Cut (June 2014). Grindstone Pictures and the producers wanted a generic Nic Cage video-on-demand film, while my editorial instincts were pointing toward something more interesting. Grindstone recut, scored, and mixed the film without my input. Subsequently, actors Nicholas Cage and Anton Yelchin, executive producer Nic Refn and I distanced ourselves from the film… I remain hopeful that someday I will be allowed to finish the film.” –Paul Schrader
PaulSchrader with his “DyingofTheLight” stars AntonYelchin and NicolasCage.
In this week’s episode of TheFilmography podcast, Bjorn and I are joined by very special returning guest (and noted Cage-o-holic) MarkHanson for a discussion of PaulSchrader’s 2014 CIA spy thriller, “DyingoftheLight,” the first of two back-to-back Schrader / NicCage collaborations, as well as Schrader’s own psychedelic bootleg cut of the film, “Dark.”
NicCage stars as Evan Lake, a CIA operative whose quest for revenge is hampered by the ravages of dementia.
Although the film was taken away from Schrader in post-production (echoes of his experience with “Dominion: PrequeltotheExorcist“), re-cut, and poorly marketed as just another anonymous NicolasCage Direct-To-Video (DTV) actioner, Schrader at least attempted to do something new with the spy genre, as evidenced by “Dark,” which takes a radical TonyScott / “ManonFire” approach to the material, re-framing shots as extreme-close-ups, with music video-style quick cutting, and featuring extended psychedelic sequences, as seen in the image below:
NicCage tripping out on dementia.
While it drove Bjorn nuts, the bootleg “Dark” cut suggests a much more expressionistic take on the story, aiming to put you in Cage’s POV, heightening the sensation of his deteriorating state of mind. In both cuts, the dementia angle is an interesting complication to what is otherwise a fairly straight-forward revenge thriller.
Cage losing his composure while delivering his big speech at CIA headquarters.
When the film was taken away from Schrader, he and his stars, NicCage and AntonYelchin, and executive producer NicolasWindingRefn (who was originally slated to direct before he signed on to “Drive” instead, with HarrisonFord and ChanningTatum cast in the Cage and Yelchin roles, respectively) were photographed wearing their NDA agreements on their t-shirts as a silent protest.
The cast and filmmakers of “Dying of the Light” in their protest apparel.
“Because we were threatened with lawsuits if we spoke ill of the Grindstone version, our protests took the form of wearing T-shirts bearing the “non-disparagement” clause that prohibited public statements. For now, that’s the only photo I’ll include on this web page.” –Paul Schrader
The released cut of “Dying of the Light” is nowhere near as bad as one might expect from a picture that has been taken away from its writer/director and re-cut by its meddling producers, but it’s disappointing to see another Schrader picture barely get released.
Cage and a very large (but cozy-looking) hat in “Dying of the Light.”
“I made Dog Eat Dog to redeem myself from the humiliation of DyingoftheLight, which was taken away from me. Nic and I disowned it, I subsequently did my own edit, put it on torrent, but it was a career killer.” –PaulSchrader
Cage with less than all of his ear in “Dying of the Light.“
It turned out not to be a career-killer, neither for Cage, who is currently having a resurgence after his stellar turn in this years’ Oz (son of Anthony) Perkins‘ directed serial-killer thriller “Longlegs,” nor for Schrader, who would re-team with Cage on the above-mentioned “DogEatDog” before his own resurgence with, arguably, his finest picture yet, 2017’s “FirstReformed.”
A barely recognizable NicCage in OzPerkins‘ “Longlegs.”Ethan Hawke in Schrader’s comeback picture, “FirstReformed.”
Deserving special mention here is the supporting performance by AntonYelchin, who brings a deep level of compassion and decency to his role as Cage’s young espionage protegé.
Cage and Yelchin as mentor and protégé.
Yelchin was an extremely likeable actor who made all of his characters highly relatable with an abundance of natural charm and thoughtfulness, who was tragically killed in a freak accident much too young. I would have liked to have seen many more films from him, having watched him mature into a very fine actor in the years since his auspicious debut as a child actor in the under-appreciated 2001 Stephen King adaptation “HeartsinAtlantis,” starring AnthonyHopkins, and directed by ScottHicks.
Yelchin as a boy in the 2001 AnthonyHopkins picture “Heartsin Atlantis.”
“Dark” is an interesting cinema artifact in that it hints at the film Schradermight have made had he been allowed to finish his cut of “DyingoftheLight.” However, it’s too rough around the edges (made from DVD rough cuts of Schrader’s unfinished workprint) to really satisfy as a picture on its own terms.
Still from “Dark.”Poster for the bootleg cut.
What we are ultimately left with in “Dying of the Light” is a movie that is neither the total disaster Schrader seems to think it is, nor one that transcends the DTV action-thriller limitations of the genre that Cage has all-too-often dipped his toes in (with a back catalogue of mediocre and disposable pictures to his credit with interchangeable titles like “Stolen,” “KillChain,” “Vengeance,” “Primal,” “Rage,” “SeekingJustice,” etc., etc, etc).
Three forgettable NicolasCage DTV action thrillers.Three more forgettable NicolasCage DTV action thrillers.
Knowing that both Cage and Schrader would independently go onto make much better pictures in the years following this one takes a little of the bad taste out of your mouth, though their next film together, “DogEatDog,” isn’t quite the redeeming palate-cleanser that Schrader suggests. Of course, for more on that, you’ll have to tune into next week’s episode! Until then, thanks for listening!
Listen to the podcast here:
Listen to the latest episode of TheFilmography on Spotify (with the above link), Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes released every Friday.
Read IndieWire’s article on “Dark,” PaulSchrader’s recut of “DyingoftheLight” here:
