The Californians (2005)

Synopsis: Having brought a Herman Melville classic to the big screen with BARTLEBY, former musician Jonathan Parker fashions another literary retelling with his second directorial effort, THE CALIFORNIANS. A modern update of Henry James's THE BOSTONIANS, the film stars Noah Wyle (of ER fame) as... Having brought a Herman Melville classic to the big screen with BARTLEBY, former musician Jonathan Parker fashions another literary retelling with his second directorial effort, THE CALIFORNIANS. A modern update of Henry James's THE BOSTONIANS, the film stars Noah Wyle (of ER fame) as Gavin Ransom, an unscrupulous land developer bent on constructing lavish mansions along the pristine California coast. Gavin faces opposition from his environmentalist sister, Olive (Illeana Douglas, GHOST WORLD)--a prickly situation made worse when they both fall in love with the same woman, an earnest protest singer named Zoe (Kate Mara, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN). Cloris Leachman, Keith Carradine, and Valerie Perrine round out the star-studded cast. [More]