Taglines: He only needs three things to get through the day… an espresso, an aspirin, and a miracle.
Living in Oblivion movie storyline. Film about filmmaking. It takes place during one day on set of non-budget movie. Ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers. The film is divided into three parts, all of which concern the making of a low-budget movie featuring the same director, crew and substantially the same cast.
Living in Oblivion is a 1995 low-budget independent comedy-drama film, written and directed by Tom DiCillo and also features Peter Dinklage in his debut role. Other starring are Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, James Le Gros, Danielle von Zerneck, Rica Martens, Kevin Corrigan and Hilary Gilford.
Part One
Director Nick Reve (Steve Buscemi) is shooting a low-budget independent film in the middle of New York City. The catering crew are under-funded and apathetic, deciding not to replace a carton of milk that has been on the craft service table for a week. The scene being shot is a difficult one: a young woman, Ellen, reproaches her elderly mother (Rica Martens) for not intervening when the father beat Ellen as a child.
However, on the set, just about everything that can go wrong does go wrong: shots are spoiled because of how the mic boom is visible; the camera assistant fails to keep the shot in focus; Cora, the actress playing the mother, forgets her lines; and Nicole, the actress playing Ellen, becomes increasingly unfocused and careless. A dispirited Nick calls for a rehearsal without camera to refresh the actors.
However, when Nicole (Catherine Keener) berates herself for acting badly, Cora (Rica Martens) reassures her with a gesture that reminds Nicole of a similar gesture made by her own terminally ill mother. Nicole is so upset by the memory that she turns in an unexpectedly passionate performance; and Cora, startled by Nicole’s sudden intensity, is equally good. Watching them, Nick becomes enthusiastic all over again.
Part Two
Early the same morning, the film’s lead actor Chad Palomino (James LeGros) is getting dressed in Nicole’s hotel room. They have spent the night together, and Chad suggests that they might get together again later; Nicole politely declines. Chad and Nicole arrive on the set separately. Nicole’s character Ellen and Chad’s character Damian have been in love for years but have never admitted it until the scene being shot on this day.
Shooting the scene is made practically impossible by Chad’s irregular acting. He keeps changing his mind about where to stand and continually moves to places where he is either invisible or badly lit by scenic light. Nicole becomes increasingly frustrated by Chad’s egomania; and, when he starts to stroke her head, she briefly loses her cool, then apologizes.
An irritated Chad demands a private talk with Nick. He tells Nick that he has slept with Nicole and makes out that it was she, not he, who had wanted to continue the relationship. Desperate to keep Chad happy, Nick agrees that Nicole is not very good. Nicole overhears this conversation on the sound mixer’s headphones.
Part Three
Later the same day, the crew is setting up for a dream sequence in which Nicole, as Ellen, stands still while a dwarf walks around her holding an apple. Nick claims to have learned a lesson from his own dream: That sometimes, “you just got to roll with things.” Nicole admits that she had a dream with Nick in it but doesn’t tell him what happened.
Nick manages to keep up his positive attitude despite the various mishaps that occur: The smoke machine fails to work, then it catches fire, then his senile mother Cora arrives on the set. However, the ill-tempered dwarf actor Tito (Peter Dinklage) complains that the dream sequence is a cliché (“I don’t even have dreams with dwarves in them!”) and walks off the set in disgust. Nick’s confidence collapses, and he announces that the movie is over. At that moment, his mother intervenes, grabbing the apple, moving to Tito’s mark and announcing that she is “ready”.
Living in Oblivion (1995)
Directed by: Tom DiCillo
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, James Le Gros, Danielle von Zerneck, Rica Martens, Kevin Corrigan, Peter Dinklage, Hilary Gilford
Screenplay by: Tom DiCillo
Production Design by: Stephanie Carroll, Thérèse DePrez
Cinematography by: Frank Prinzi
Film Editing by: Dana Congdon, Camilla Toniolo
Costume Design by: Ellen Lutter
Art Direction by: Janine Michelle, Scott Pask
Music by: Jim Farmer
MPAA Rating: R for strong language.
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: July 21, 1995
Hits: 155
