King of California (2007)
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Theatrical Release: Sep 14, 2007 Limited
Synopsis: Michael Douglas gives a bravura performance in writer-director Mike Cahill's feature-length debut, KING OF CALIFORNIA. Douglas stars as Charlie, a troubled musician who has just been released from a mental hospital. He returns home to live with his 16-year-old daughter, Miranda (Evan... Michael Douglas gives a bravura performance in writer-director Mike Cahill's feature-length debut, KING OF CALIFORNIA. Douglas stars as Charlie, a troubled musician who has just been released from a mental hospital. He returns home to live with his 16-year-old daughter, Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), who is not exactly thrilled to have him back. Miranda has been forced to quit school and get a job in order to support herself and hold on to her beat-up old car and the family house, which is right in the middle of a new development--but she has refused to sell out. Instead, she works extra shifts at McDonald's and has no social life. But her father--still suffering from mental illness--insists that she join him on a wild adventure in search of supposedly long-buried treasure, and soon the two of them are combing through California, facing danger as Charlie leads them on a crazy quest that takes them through major chain stores and restaurants. Wood (THIRTEEN) is excellent as Miranda, walking that fine line between wanting to believe in her father and feeling he should be hospitalized again--but she never stops loving him, even against her better judgment. Bushy-haired and wild-eyed, Douglas shines every second he's onscreen, dreaming the impossible dream. The outstanding soundtrack features songs by John Coltrane, Seals and Crofts, Bud Powell, Fats Waller, Yma Sumac, and Billy Bragg and Wilco. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood
Screenwriter: Mike Cahill
Producer: Michael London, Alexander Payne, Avi Lerner, Randall Emmett
Composer: David Robbins
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
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'The King of California' is an easily-entertaining film that features two bravura performances. Douglas plays the character of the loony treasure-hunter Charlie with zest, passion, comedy and, well, hyperactivity - its Jack Colton post-drugs, if you will
...one of those efforts that's destined to improve on subsequent viewings.
It's barely distinguishable from the many other independent films about eccentric people who do odd things, but hey, it ain't bad.
The clunky King of California leaves you with all the satisfaction of hitting caliche in your backyard.
The story is simple, sometimes to a fault, and ultimately Cahill doesn’t quite pull off all of the majesty that he attempts. But, I’m excited to see what he’ll come up with next.
The most remarkable thing about King of California is how the characters grow on you, and how their quixotic quest becomes ours.
As scripted and directed by Mike Cahill, King of California reveals itself to be a moving, bemusing gem embellished by standout work from Douglas and the habitually marvellous Evan Rachel Wood.
The performances by Michael Douglas and Evan Rachel Wood are the highlight of this comedy-drama.
King of California means to be the jewel in the crown of indie-flick quirkiness, but it's really just a bauble with ambition.
The film is really at its best when it's dealing with the dysfunctional father-daughter relationship. Douglas and Wood's believable character dynamic certainly helps.
Michael Douglas is getting all the praise ... but Rachael Evan Wood is just as good ...
The success of those sequences only underline how good the film might have been if it wasn't so busy trying to be cute.
Writer-director Mike Cahill explores Charlie's foolishness with funny-sad fondness.
Rambunctious and rousing from beginning to end, the hugely entertaining King of California offers Michael Douglas his best role since Traffic.
While the project certainly has its clever aspects, the bulk of the credit goes to Douglas.
This is a strong effort by first time writer/director Mike Cahill that will keep you bemused for its idiosyncratic voice.
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