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John Hurt, Jason Priestley, Fiona Loewi, Harvey Atkin, Maury Chaykin ... see more see more... , Sheila Hancock , Elizabeth Quinn , Gawn Grainger , Marguerite McNeil , Linda Busby

Can a stodgy intellectual who regards the 20th century as a waste of time find happiness with an American teen idol who doesn't really know him? That's the question posed in this gentle satiric comedy... read more read more.... Giles De'ath (John Hurt), who takes great pains to remind people that his surname is pronounced "Day-ath," is a well-regarded British author whose wife passed away a decade ago. Since then, Giles has retreated into a world of his own; he is thoroughly disinterested in contemporary culture and lives in the 20th century only to the degree that it is absolutely necessary. However, one night Giles accidentally locks himself out of his apartment just as a rainstorm has begun to open up the sky. Soaked to the skin, he takes refuge in a nearby movie theater, since he's heard that the works of E.M. Forster have lately become popular screen fodder. However, once inside the multiplex, Giles discovers to his disgust that he's accidentally bought a ticket for a low-brow teen flick called Hot Pants College II. Just as he's about to register his repugnance with the management, actor Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley) appears on screen, and immediately Giles is entranced. In Ronnie, Giles discovers an unexpected sort of beauty that he's never considered before, and he's eager to learn more about the young actor. However, Giles soon discerns that reading up on his new obsession means buying teen-oriented fanzines (whose covers proclaim him "Snoggable!"), where he learns that Ronnie's own cultural signposts include Axl Rose and Stephen King, whose names could just as well be Sanskrit to Giles. He also discovers that to view the rest of Ronnie's screen work, he must visit a video rental store, which means he must first purchase a VCR, and that he'll also require a (gulp!) television in order for the VCR to work. Eventually, Giles finds out that Ronnie lives in a small town on Long Island, and decides to fly there, hatching a scheme to meet Ronnie by first making the acquaintance of Audrey (Fionna Loewi), Ronnie's fashion model girlfriend. Based on the acclaimed short novel by Gilbert Adair, Love and Death on Long Island was adapted for the screen and directed by Richard Kwietniowski. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

1,606 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

37 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Richard Kwietniowski, Richard Kwietnowski

Release Date: March 6, 1998

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DVD Release Date: February 1, 2000

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Stats: 88 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (88)

  • Beefy
    August 4, 2007
    Beefy
    Hurt is superb.
  • binky013
    March 23, 2006
    binky013
    It starts with Forster, mister fists and fingers and polished caves with
    infinite echoes and mirror reflections, and leaves you with good old Walt
    Whitman. I'm not the biggest John Hurt fan, I'll guess, but he lives in this movie. And Jason Priestly? Whoa. Who would have th... read moreought he could be this good? His character says he's sick of playing the teenage idol. Hmmm. He delivers that line with great authenticity. Quite a commentary on his past acting life perhaps? Don't know. Just guessing.
  • danieljparsons
    September 21, 2011
    danieljparsons
    Fascinating and moving low-budget film with a very well judged performance from John Hurt as a novelist and widower out of touch with the 'modern world' (such as it was in the 1990s), who finds himself attracted to a Hollywood star of terrible films (Jason Priestly on good form).... read more The film charts Gerald De'ath's initial attraction to borderline obsession as he flies to Long Island in the hopes of meeting with the object of his affection, with by turns funny, warm and sad results. Love and Death on Long Island has an admittedly televisual feel and a small scope but remains an impressive film and has a fascinatingly enigmatic ending.
  • jam233
    July 5, 2009
    jam233
    What a nasty unpleasant film. I am usually not this far off from the critics. I found it boring and useless. Go figure. John Hurt was good, but the film was so pretentious and uninvolving. Yuk.
  • subliminalkid
    June 9, 2007
    subliminalkid
    Joh Hurt was given a sticker for his participation in this movie. It said "Most Awesome Human Being To Ever Exist." He still wears it.
  • dreaminginstereo
    June 5, 2007
    dreaminginstereo
    I found this movie to very charming and witty and really delves into how the media portrays people and generation gaps. John Hurt does an amazing job and it makes me want to take Jason Priestley seriously.
  • girlanachronism13
    April 27, 2007
    girlanachronism13
    I give this movie an extra half a star just because it never shies away from itself. It confronts the protagonist's feelings more or less head on. There were a few faults in character development and occasionally weak acting (which actually fell into character). It's a wonderfull... read morey sad movie, reminiscent of Visconti's Death in Venice but not so tragic, allowing for a couple of memorable humorous moments. I recommend it.
  • Cvalda
    January 15, 2007
    Cvalda
    At times, this film is almost painful to watch, due to John Hurt's touchingly lonely performance. Thoroughly excellent.

View All Love and Death on Long Island Reviews

Critic Reviews

Austin Kennedy
May 27, 2012
Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine

Unfortunately, Hurt is so good that almost everyone around him pales in comparison. Priestley just doesn't have the acting chops to play in the same scenes with him. Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 13, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Funny and unexpectedly touching. Full Review

Blake Davis
May 2, 2003
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News

A movie about an older man stalking an B-movie actor that he has become obsessed with. It is a funny, odd, and also very sad portrait of a lonely man. A very good, original movie.

Nick Davis
January 10, 2003
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

Hurt's magnificent and sensitive performance...makes the whole scenario unexpectedly poignant and sweetly sad. Full Review

Philip Martin
December 16, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...a slight film, but it's extremely well-acted and darkly funny. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
January 27, 2002
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

This is John Hurt's movie and he makes the most of a memorable role. Full Review

Kevin Lally
January 1, 2000
Kevin Lally, Film Journal International

An irresistible showcase for Hurt. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Without John Hurt's magnificent performance, this film would have fallen flat on its face. Full Review

David N. Butterworth
January 1, 2000
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Has its funny moments and is unquestionably a fine vehicle for John Hurt, but its lightweight predictability makes it hard to recommend. Full Review

Christopher Null
January 1, 2000
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

quaint and touching Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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