Title: Knife Fight Director: Bill Guttentag Starring: Rob Lowe, Jamie Chung, Julie Bowen, Richard Schiff, Jamie Chung, Eric McCormack, David Harbour, Carrie-Anne Moss, Saffron Burrows, Chris Mulkey, Jennifer Morrison, Davey Havok, Amanda Crew, Brooke Newton A tack-sharp political drama with satirical underpinnings, “Knife Fight” digs into the characteristic foibles of high-rolling politicians through the point-of-view of campaign operatives, and dissects ego and ambition, idealism and win-at-any-cost pragmatism, but all without succumbing to lazy, armchair cynicism. A collaboration between Oscar-winning director Bill Guttentag and political consultant Chris Lehane, “Knife Fight” is smartly written and superbly cast, and one of the more lithe and entertaining explicitly political films of the new decade — a true movie of the moment [ Read More ]
The post Knife Fight Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Knife Fight Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/29/2013
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
Knife Fight
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane
Directed by Bill Guttentag
USA, 2013
Judging from the comments on its IMDb page, Bill Guttentag’s film Knife Fight is tempting many movie buffs with a reunion of The West Wing veterans Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff in another project about the nuts and bolts of politics. Except Knife Fight isn’t about the issues; instead, it’s yet another film about how one has to be an amoral schemer in order to win a political campaign. Also, neither Aaron Sorkin nor anyone else from The West Wing was involved in writing Knife Fight, which quickly becomes clear as the film staggers through its messy plot.
The film announces its awkwardness in the very first scene. Lowe’s high-powered political consultant is introduced via hackneyed first-person narration from his assistant (Jamie Chung) and then the narration is never to be heard from again,...
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane
Directed by Bill Guttentag
USA, 2013
Judging from the comments on its IMDb page, Bill Guttentag’s film Knife Fight is tempting many movie buffs with a reunion of The West Wing veterans Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff in another project about the nuts and bolts of politics. Except Knife Fight isn’t about the issues; instead, it’s yet another film about how one has to be an amoral schemer in order to win a political campaign. Also, neither Aaron Sorkin nor anyone else from The West Wing was involved in writing Knife Fight, which quickly becomes clear as the film staggers through its messy plot.
The film announces its awkwardness in the very first scene. Lowe’s high-powered political consultant is introduced via hackneyed first-person narration from his assistant (Jamie Chung) and then the narration is never to be heard from again,...
- 1/28/2013
- by Mark Young
- SoundOnSight
The presence of Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff in leading roles in Knife Fight merely brings a sad nostalgia for their glory days in the late, lamented West Wing television series. This satire written and directed by Bill Guttentag--based on a story by co-screenwriter and former Bill Clinton advisor Chris Lehane--aims to be a cutting-edge portrait of cutthroat political machinations. But it’s a mostly toothless affair that, like so many of our current political figures, proves alienating. Lowe plays the central role of Paul Turner, a campaign advisor and political fixer who has his hands full
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- 1/27/2013
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Knife Fight
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane
Directed by Bill Guttentag
USA, 2013
Judging from the comments on its IMDb page, Bill Guttentag’s film Knife Fight is tempting many movie buffs with a reunion of The West Wing veterans Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff in another project about the nuts and bolts of politics. Except Knife Fight isn’t about the issues; instead, it’s yet another film about how one has to be an amoral schemer in order to win a political campaign. Also, neither Aaron Sorkin nor anyone else from The West Wing was involved in writing Knife Fight, which quickly becomes clear as the film staggers through its messy plot.
The film announces its awkwardness in the very first scene. Lowe’s high-powered political consultant is introduced via hackneyed first-person narration from his assistant (Jamie Chung) and then the narration is never to be heard from again,...
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane
Directed by Bill Guttentag
USA, 2013
Judging from the comments on its IMDb page, Bill Guttentag’s film Knife Fight is tempting many movie buffs with a reunion of The West Wing veterans Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff in another project about the nuts and bolts of politics. Except Knife Fight isn’t about the issues; instead, it’s yet another film about how one has to be an amoral schemer in order to win a political campaign. Also, neither Aaron Sorkin nor anyone else from The West Wing was involved in writing Knife Fight, which quickly becomes clear as the film staggers through its messy plot.
The film announces its awkwardness in the very first scene. Lowe’s high-powered political consultant is introduced via hackneyed first-person narration from his assistant (Jamie Chung) and then the narration is never to be heard from again,...
- 1/27/2013
- by Mark Young
- SoundOnSight
When it comes to getting elected, there’s no such thing as going too far. That’s exactly what an upcoming political thriller Knife Fight is all about – sex, drugs, money and… well, politics! The movie comes from director Bill Guttentag, it stars Rob Lowe and Carrie-Anne Moss in the leading roles, it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is finally set to hit Us theaters at the end of this month!
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane, the movie will show us how politics is really played – a knife fight in a telephone booth, where blood is spilled, low blows are common and the best candidate is not always the best person.
The movie has quite interesting cast on board which, beside the above mentioned Rob Lowe and Carrie-Anne Moss also includes Jamie Chung, Richard Schiff, Eric McCormack, Julie Bowen, Jennifer Morrison and Amanda Crew.
In case...
Written by Bill Guttentag and Chris Lehane, the movie will show us how politics is really played – a knife fight in a telephone booth, where blood is spilled, low blows are common and the best candidate is not always the best person.
The movie has quite interesting cast on board which, beside the above mentioned Rob Lowe and Carrie-Anne Moss also includes Jamie Chung, Richard Schiff, Eric McCormack, Julie Bowen, Jennifer Morrison and Amanda Crew.
In case...
- 1/5/2013
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
Washington -- Four years ago, Ben Affleck was a familiar presence around the Democratic convention, packing produce for charity and even winning a poker tournament. Singer Fergie performed with her Black Eyed Peas. Sheryl Crow sang, too, with Susan Sarandon joining in from the audience.
But none of these celebrities are planning a similar trip to Charlotte this year, and that's likely true for a number of other A-listers who were in Denver as well. In terms of star wattage, this gathering will be decidedly less sparkly.
Some reasons are obvious. A re-election bid is hardly as exciting as the historic anointment of the first black nominee, on his way to becoming the first black president. And Barack Obama is no longer a rising star: He's, well, an incumbent.
Also different is the general tone of this year's campaign – not so full of lofty thoughts about hope and change, but...
But none of these celebrities are planning a similar trip to Charlotte this year, and that's likely true for a number of other A-listers who were in Denver as well. In terms of star wattage, this gathering will be decidedly less sparkly.
Some reasons are obvious. A re-election bid is hardly as exciting as the historic anointment of the first black nominee, on his way to becoming the first black president. And Barack Obama is no longer a rising star: He's, well, an incumbent.
Also different is the general tone of this year's campaign – not so full of lofty thoughts about hope and change, but...
- 8/25/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
IFC Films has acquired Bill Guttentag's Knife Fight political drama Variety reports that the film scripted by Guttentag and political consultant Chris Lehane, stars Rob Lowe, Jamie Chung, Julie Bowen, Richard Schiff, Saffron Burrows, Jennifer Morrison, David Harbour, Eric McCormack and Carrie-Anne Moss. Knife Fight is about sex, drugs, money and how politics is really played-a knife fight in a telephone booth, where blood is spilled, low blows are common and the best candidate is not always the best person. Pic is produced by Guerrino De Luca and Catherine and Daniel Davila, while William Green and Lowe serve as executive producers.
- 8/10/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
IFC Films has acquired Bill Guttentag's Knife Fight political drama Variety reports that the film scripted by Guttentag and political consultant Chris Lehane, stars Rob Lowe, Jamie Chung, Julie Bowen, Richard Schiff, Saffron Burrows, Jennifer Morrison, David Harbour, Eric McCormack and Carrie-Anne Moss. Knife Fight is about sex, drugs, money and how politics is really played-a knife fight in a telephone booth, where blood is spilled, low blows are common and the best candidate is not always the best person. Pic is produced by Guerrino De Luca and Catherine and Daniel Davila, while William Green and Lowe serve as executive producers.
- 8/10/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
New York, NY (August 9, 2012) – IFC Films announced today the company is acquiring all U.S. rights to director Bill Guttentag’s (Soundtrack For A Revolution) political drama Knife Fight. Guttentag wrote the screenplay with political consultant Chris Lehane, who served as White House advisor to President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton andserved as Vice President Al Gore’s press secretary. The film stars Rob Lowe,Jaime Chung, Julie Bowen, Richard Schiff, Saffron Burrows, Jennifer Morrison, David Harbour, EricMcCormack, and Carrie-Anne Moss. Guerrino De Luca and Catherine and Daniel Davila produced the film, with Lowe and William Green executive producing. Knife Fight had its world premiere earlier this year at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. If a political candidate is personally flawed, but stands to make a positive difference in millions of lives, would you help him win? That question looms over the life of “true believer” Paul Turner (Lowe...
- 8/9/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
IFC Films has acquired all U.S. rights to the political drama “Knife Fight,” directed by Bill Guttentag. The film, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, stars Rob Lowe, Julie Bowen, Richard Schiff, Saffron Burrows, Jennifer Morrison and Carrie-Anne Moss in the story of a committed political strategist who must reckon with the truth about his job while working for a trio of flawed politicians. Guttentag wrote the screenplay with Chris Lehane, who served as a White House advisor to President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and as press secretary to Vice President Al Gore. Guerrino De Luca and Catherine and Daniel Davila produced the project; Lowe and William Green are executive producers. "The entire IFC Films team is thrilled to be working with Bill Guttentag, Chris Lehane and their all-star cast on the release of ‘Knife Fight,’ ” said Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan.
- 8/9/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to Bill Guttentag's political drama Knife Fight, starring Rob Lowe as an insider strategist. Guttentag (Soundtrack for a Revolution) wrote the screenplay with political consultant Chris Lehane, who served as White House adviser to President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and served as Vice President Al Gore's press secretary. Guerrino De Luca and Catherine and Daniel Davila produced the film, which had its world premiere at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Lowe and William Green executive produced. Lowe plays a political strategist who starts to question his methods while working with a
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- 8/9/2012
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Monday, April 30 Tribeca Dialogue: Bill Guttentag, Chris Lehane and Rob Lowe on the Shady World of Politics in ‘Knife Fight’ by Perri Nemiroff Discuss: Are You Annoyed 'The Avengers' Opened Overseas First? by Christopher Campbell 'The Avengers' Essential Reading: 10 Stories To Inform Your Movie Experience by Rick Marshall Movies Chat: Guest Cole Abaius, on Our Most Anticipated Summer Movie by Erik Davis ActionFest Dispatch: Two New Donnie Yen Movies, New Jcvd, and the Norwegian Dark Comedy-Thriller 'Headhunters' by Brian Salisbury Win! Dark Shadows Gear by Movies.com Our 10 Favorite Shorts of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival by Daniel Walber Exclusive: Clip from Military-Themed Tribeca...
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- 5/5/2012
- by Peter Hall
- Movies.com
What are you going to get if you opt to catch Bill Guttentag’s Tribeca Film Festival entry Knife Fight? Guttentag’s co-writer, Chris Lehane, says it best. “Sometimes it takes the lowest blows to achieve the noblest ends.” Lehane works as a political consultant and, more bluntly, a crisis averter. When a contender’s campaign turns south via scandal, Lehane steps in to spin the situation in his or her favor. And so is true of the star of Knife Fight, Paul Turner, played by Rob Lowe. In Paul’s case, he’s got a Kentucky governor (Eric McCormack) with a thing for young office employees and a California senator who can’t help but to take a massage a little too far. With the next election on the horizon, their only hope at holding onto...
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- 4/30/2012
- by Perri Nemiroff
- Movies.com
I.m not as politically savvy as I.d like to be, but isn.t that part of the reason folks running for office have campaigns? Yes, the ultimate goal is to get votes, but they.re educating the public on their policies in the process. Now the question is, what happens when scandal swoops in and steals that spotlight? That.s where folks like Chris Lehane and characters like Kerstin (Jamie Chung) and Dimitris (Richard Schiff) step in. Knife Fight stars Rob Lowe as Paul Turner, a fictional version of Lehane, the film.s co-writer. When a political candidate sleeps with a young office aide or takes a massage a little too far, Paul steps in to spin the situation in their favor. Paul.s incredibly good at what he does, but when a Kentucky governor and California senator screw up big time right before the election, there.s...
- 4/28/2012
- cinemablend.com
This week, the cast of Bill Guttentag’s Knife Fight descended on the Tribeca Film Festival to turn heads on the red carpet.
In attendance were: Writer/Director Guttnenag, Co-Writer/Producer Chris Lehane, Rob Lowe (Californication, Parks and Recreation), Richard Schiff (NCIS), Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, How I Met Your Mother), Jamie Chung (upcoming 7500), David Harbour (Pan Am), Alan Dershowitz, David Havok, Michelle Krusiec (Fox’s Touch) as well as Producers Catherine Davilla and Daniel Davila.
Check out the gallery below, click thumbnails to enlarge:
Knife Fight centers on Lowe as Paul Turner, a political strategist. The film takes a cynical look into the political machine, focusing on Turner’s wayward clients.
In attendance were: Writer/Director Guttnenag, Co-Writer/Producer Chris Lehane, Rob Lowe (Californication, Parks and Recreation), Richard Schiff (NCIS), Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, How I Met Your Mother), Jamie Chung (upcoming 7500), David Harbour (Pan Am), Alan Dershowitz, David Havok, Michelle Krusiec (Fox’s Touch) as well as Producers Catherine Davilla and Daniel Davila.
Check out the gallery below, click thumbnails to enlarge:
Knife Fight centers on Lowe as Paul Turner, a political strategist. The film takes a cynical look into the political machine, focusing on Turner’s wayward clients.
- 4/27/2012
- by Bags Hooper
- BuzzFocus.com
Current TV has hired crisis public relations firm Fabiani & Lehane to represent the network through what is likely to be a very public and bitter legal battle with Keith Olbermann. Veterans of the Clinton administration, Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane specialize in steering politicians through public scandals. Newsweek dubbed them “Masters of Disaster” for their work on behalf of the Clintons during the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky imbroglios. Photos: Keith Olbermann's Famous Feuds Fabiani also represented Lance Armstrong amid a federal probe over allegations about performance-enhancing drugs. And Lehane has a relationship with Current co-founder Al Gore,
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- 3/30/2012
- by Marisa Guthrie
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Atlanta -- No presidential candidate worth his chauffeured SUV has reached his personal zenith without this: celebrities to vouch for them. They are the glam and glitter of political campaigns, sure to turn even jaded political operatives into fawning celeb watchers.
Nobody commands the nexus of stardom and politics more than President Barack Obama. Mocked by opponents during his 2008 campaign for being a celebrity himself, he draws from a broad assortment of personalities – Hollywood liberals, NBA stars and more.
Friday offered a case in point. Obama raised money in film producer Tyler Perry's sprawling southwest Atlanta studio at a gala event featuring a performance by pop star Cee Lo Green. Then he spoke to those in a more elite group, including Oprah Winfrey, at Perry's 30,000-square-foot French provincial mansion along the Chattahoochee River.
His just-released campaign biopic is narrated by actor Tom Hanks. On Thursday, a White House visit...
Nobody commands the nexus of stardom and politics more than President Barack Obama. Mocked by opponents during his 2008 campaign for being a celebrity himself, he draws from a broad assortment of personalities – Hollywood liberals, NBA stars and more.
Friday offered a case in point. Obama raised money in film producer Tyler Perry's sprawling southwest Atlanta studio at a gala event featuring a performance by pop star Cee Lo Green. Then he spoke to those in a more elite group, including Oprah Winfrey, at Perry's 30,000-square-foot French provincial mansion along the Chattahoochee River.
His just-released campaign biopic is narrated by actor Tom Hanks. On Thursday, a White House visit...
- 3/17/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Considering that Salmon Fishing in the Yemen stars Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, wouldn’t it be stranger if it didn’t get picked up? Well, it’s found a home with CBS Films, as THR tells us that the company has acquired the Lasse Halström comedy for distribution — and at a hefty price of $4-to-5 million. After premiering last night to mixed reviews, a bidding war started over the film that centers on a fish scientist asked by an Arab Sheik “to do the seemingly impossible – introduce British salmon to the wadis of the Yemen.”
Based on the novel by Paul Torday, it’s scripted by Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy. It sounds like a wholly inoffensive (if concurrently forgettable) affair, but the cast has me interested enough, so I think I’ll be willing to check the film out whenever it hits.
Another Toronto acquisition has occurred with Myriad,...
Based on the novel by Paul Torday, it’s scripted by Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy. It sounds like a wholly inoffensive (if concurrently forgettable) affair, but the cast has me interested enough, so I think I’ll be willing to check the film out whenever it hits.
Another Toronto acquisition has occurred with Myriad,...
- 9/12/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Sunday, September 11, 2011, Toronto….. Myriad Pictures will handle sales outside North America for Academy® Award-winner Bill Guttentag’s political drama Knife Fight, starring Rob Lowe (“The West Wing”, “Parks & Recreation”, Breakaway), Julie Bowen (“Modern Family”, Horrible Bosses, “Boston Legal”), Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch, The Hangover, Part II), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix trilogy, Disturbia, Chocolat), Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”, Textuality, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”) and Richard Schiff (“The West Wing”, Solitary Man, The Lost World: Jurassic Park). The screenplay was written by Guttentag and prominent political consultant Chris Lehane who as a White House advisor to President Bill Clinton earned the reputation as “Master of Disaster” and later served as Al Gore’s Press Secretary. This is Lehane’s first feature film script. The film follows three political candidates running for public office. Rob Lowe plays a hard-ball political crisis manager in the middle of the dirty campaigns whose clients...
- 9/11/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Jamie Chung has two big Legendary Pictures films behind her this year, Sucker Punch and The Hangover Part II, and now (probably not as a response) she's going indie for the film Knife Fight. That's the one starring Rob Lowe where he plays "a political crisis manager who specializes in playing hardball on behalf of scandal-plagued clients." Jamie Chung will be his savvy assistant. Quite a few other people are in talks for roles, too: Julie Bowen, Connie Britton, Jennifer Morrison, Rebecca Mader and Titus Welliver. Bill Guttentag directs and co-wrote the script with Chris Lehane; the film will shoot next month in San Francisco, and a release is planned for October 2012, timed around the next Us Presidential election. Before Knife Fight makes it to theaters, Jamie Chung will be in Premium Rush, which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and was written and directed by David Koepp. [Variety [1]] After the break, Oz: The...
- 5/26/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Jamie Chung ("The Hangover Part II"), Julie Bowen ("Jumping the Broom"), Connie Britton ("The Hand Job"), Jennifer Morrison ("House") and "Lost" thesps Rebecca Mader and Titus Welliver are all in negotiations to join the cast of the indie political drama "Knife Fight" reports Variety.
Bill Guttentag is directing and co-writing the script with Chris Lehane. Rob Lowe stars as a political crisis manager who specializes in playing hardball on behalf of scandal-plagued clients.
Chung plays his savvy assistant, Bowen an ambitious TV reporter who sleeps with him for scoops, and Britton an earthy liberal looking to run for public office.
Mader plays a masseuse/prostitute bent on blackmail, Morrison plays one of her classmates, and Welliver plays a private investigator working for Lowe.
Guerrino De Luca, Daniel Davila and Catherine Davila are producing with shooting kicking off next month in San Francisco.
Bill Guttentag is directing and co-writing the script with Chris Lehane. Rob Lowe stars as a political crisis manager who specializes in playing hardball on behalf of scandal-plagued clients.
Chung plays his savvy assistant, Bowen an ambitious TV reporter who sleeps with him for scoops, and Britton an earthy liberal looking to run for public office.
Mader plays a masseuse/prostitute bent on blackmail, Morrison plays one of her classmates, and Welliver plays a private investigator working for Lowe.
Guerrino De Luca, Daniel Davila and Catherine Davila are producing with shooting kicking off next month in San Francisco.
- 5/26/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Jamie Chung can't seem to catch a break. So far this year she has appeared in two films that seemed to have a lot of potential - Sucker Punch and The Hangover Part II - but have been bashed by critics (the former ended up with a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes while the latter, which is due out on Thursday, is currently sitting with a 33%). So what do you do in that kind of situation? You go the indie route. Variety reports that Chung has signed on to star alongside Rob Lowe, Julie Bowen, Connie Britton, Jennifer Morrison, Rebecca Mader and Titus Welliver in Knife Fight. Described as a political drama and directed by Bill Guttentag - who is also co-writing the script with Chris Lehane - the film is about a crisis manager (Lowe) who helps politicians dealing with scandal. Chung will play Lowe's assistant who is quickly learning...
- 5/26/2011
- cinemablend.com
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