Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19866 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-27
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 91 minutes

Synopsis
Danny Huston delivers a staggeringly heartbreaking performance as a highly successful yet tragically doomed Hollywood agent in IVANS XTC. An adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYICH, Bernard Rose's drama relocates the original story to the fast-paced, cutthroat world of Hollywood, where debauchery and work go hand in hand. Ivan Beckman (Huston) lives life in the fast lane as a cocaine addict and a womanizer, yet nevertheless he continues to thrive as a successful talent agent. But when his coworkers discover that he has passed away unexpectedly, Ivan's honor is put to the test. Most people who knew him suspect that the hospital's claim that he died of lung cancer is just a cover-up for something darker. But as the film returns in flashbacks to the days leading up to Ivan's demise, the truth is gradually revealed. As Ivan uses his cunning to sign superstar Don West (Peter Weller), he discovers that he is, in fact, dying from lung cancer. Rather than share this information with friends and family, he withdraws further into himself, continuing to party at a breakneck pace, hoping that his misfortune will simply go away. Shot on digital video, Rose's film is a moving meditation on death and Hollywood.

Customer Reviews

A masterpiece
This film is a masterpiece. I'm surprised that I am the first to submit a review of the film on here. I can't praise the film highly enough. It is up there with the most moving, powerful, and realistic films ever made. Dany Huston's performance is masterful. It's not often that i have seen a film and found myself still feeling it's emotional impact two weeks later. The only other films i can think of that have had this effect on me are 'The Deer Hunter', Werner Herzog's 'Grizzly Man', and Gasper Noe's 'I Stand Alone'.
If you haven't seen this film yet, buy it.

Terrible.
Was I watching a different film to the others.America makes some good tv and they should stick to that because there films are the worst in the world,far behind even countries a tenth of their size.Even at £3 I was robbed.Why the 18 certificate I have seen worst things on tv in the evening.Stay away if you do not want to be bored to tears.

How well you know those around you
I have to admit that I had never heard of this movie until it was recommended by the dreamy cutie Robert Pattinson. Of course I am much much older than he is but still, when he recommended this movie I had to check it out.

I am very happy that I did. When I watched it, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Ivan. In his crazy world it did not seem to me that he was all that into the illegal types of things and seemed to only participate when those around him did.

Ivan plugged along, and it appeared he did not want to burden others with his secret. All in all, Ivan was alone and most only liked him for what he could give them.

It begs the question of how well we know the people around us because at face value, Ivan had it all. Underneath it all, Ivan was alone with no true friend and no true love.

Though people that are ultimately famous seem to have it all, I don't think I would trade my simple life for fame and fortune. I feel for the famous people since they have to filter through the fake and dishonest people to reach a space where sincerity and real people exist.

Dying alone, without having ever been in love seems a huge waste and tragedy. Dying alone is something I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy.

Being in love and having been loved...the real love, not the fake "what can you get me" lust, would be the ultimate richness that even money could not buy.

I highly recommend this movie for it's deeper meaning that would appear to be hidden by drugs and sex.