Buster

Author: Tom
Location: New Jersey

"Buster"

Directed by Milos Forman
Screenplay by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski
Based on the book “My Wonderful World of Slapstick” by Buster Keaton
Music by Thomas Newman
Featuring the song “Slapstick” by Michael Stipe

Principal Cast:

Jim Carrey- Buster Keaton
Chris Cooper- Joseph Keaton
Kevin Kline- Harry Houdini
John Goodman- Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle
Rachel McAdams- Myra Keaton
Robert Deniro- Joseph Schenk
Charlize Theron- Natalie Talmadge
Renee Zelwegger- Mae Scriven
Reese Witherspoon- Eleanor Norris
Jude Law- Charlie Chaplin
Paul Giammati- Harold Lloyd

Tagline:
"Get hit with a pie, fall off a car, get chased down a street, fall in the water. Break your back if you have to. Do whatever it takes to get that laugh... but whatever you do, don’t smile."

Synopsis: Who would have thought that the precocious three year-old Joe Keaton,
nicknamed Buster by Harry Houdini, would go on to become one of the greatest
film comedians of all time. Buster examines Keaton’s early years, growing up in
the world of Vaudeville with his family and his alcoholic father, and then goes
to follow his life in the world of film. Starting with his friendship with Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and the hilarious trials he went through making his early silent films, and going on to his enormous success and his relationship with producer Joseph Schenk and MGM studios. There were dark times in Keaton’s life, as we see in his failed marriages and the many he films he made that were poorly received by the public. As Keaton starts to fall apart, he needs somebody to save him, and that someone is Eleanor Norris, who falls in love with him and turns his life around. Keaton’s life was sometimes wonderful, and
sometimes heartbreaking, but it was always fascinating.

What the Press Would Say:

Milos Forman is back at work, and this is his best film since his Oscar winning Amadeus. He teams up once again with writers Scott Alexander and Scott Karaszewski, who put together a fantastic look at Keaton’s young and early life. Jim Carrey is given his juiciest role ever, and does it credit. Buster himself would be impressed by the slapstick Carrey pulls off. Chris Cooper is superb as Keaton’s gruff but kind father, and Goodman gives his
best performance to date as Fatty Arbuckle. The women more than hold their own against the men in this movie, as Charlize Theron is thrilling as Keaton’s first wife, and Reese Witherspoon is powerful as the inspiring Eleanor Norris. This movie is the perfect mix of comedy and drama, the kind of movie that everyone will love.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director- Milos Forman
Best Actor- Jim Carrey
Best Supporting Actor- John Goodman
Best Supporting Actor- Chris Cooper
Best Supporting Actress- Charlize Theron
Best Supporting Actress- Reese Witherspoon
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Original Score- Thomas Newman
Best Original Song- Michael Stipe