Illuminata (1999)

TOMATOMETER

40%
44%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

67%

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Movie Info

An ambitious, restless writer, Tuccio is the resident playwright of a struggling New York City repertory company, who has written a new play for Rachel, the woman he loves and the theater's company manager. When Tuccio stages his new work, "Illuminata," the resident critic Bevalaqua savages the play, but becomes infatuated with a handsome cast member, Marco, who agrees to a private meeting with the critic, hoping to sway Bevalaqua to print a good review. Meanwhile, a celebrated, but aging theatrical diva, Celimene, much impressed with "Illuminata," takes a scheming professional and personal interest in Tuccio, offering him the chance for international fame as her personal playwright (and kept lover). Will the show go on? Will Tuccio betray his true love for the chance of wealth and celebrity? How will the reviews read? The difficulty of love enduring over time is the central theme of the farcical "Illuminata."

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Cast

John Turturro
as Tuccio
Christopher Walken
as Bevalaqua
Susan Sarandon
as Celimene
Katherine Borowitz
as Rachel
Rufus Sewell
as Dominique
Beverly D'Angelo
as Astergourd
Bill Irwin
as Marco
Georgina Cates
as Simone
Matthew Sussman
as Piero
Ben Gazzara
as Flavio
Leo Bassi
as Beppo
Donal McCann
as Pallenchio
Aida Turturro
as Martha
Jeremy Knaster
as Military Policeman
Joa Paparone
as Grand Inquisitor
Richard Termini
as Gypsy Musician
David Thornton
as Orlandini
Henri Behar
as Pitou
Jeff Braun
as Duke
Amo Gulinello
as Pupo
Mary Lou Rosato
as Duchessa
Rocco Sisto
as Prince
Maurizio Benazzo
as Passerby
Amedeo Turturro
as Boy No. 1
Fernando Bolles
as Boy No. 2
Chris Papadopoulos
as Boy No. 3
David Cale
as Journalist
Kenny Cranna
as Scruffy Man
George DiCenzo
as Jailor
Timothy Doyle
as Aristocrat No. 1
Alexander Goodwin
as Crying Boy
William Preston Robertson
as Old Toothless Man
Suzanne Shepherd
as Marco's Mother
Richard Spore
as Stagehand
June Stein
as Angry Woman
Henry Stram
as Captain
Kohl Sudduth
as Concubine No. 1
Arjun Bhasin
as Concubine No. 2
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Critic Reviews for Illuminata

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (9)

Those who share the movie's love of acting will find much to enjoy, though mainly in discrete tableaux.

Apr 4, 2018 | Full Review…
Wall Street Journal
Top Critic

Clearly a labor of love, this sophomore effort from Turturro (a better actor than helmer), about fables and foibles of a tightly knit acting troup at turn of the century New York, is structurally messy and unevenly acted; a step fown from his debut Mac

Dec 12, 2006 | Rating: C
Variety
Top Critic

With a streamlined script--and a resulting clearer focus--Illuminata could have been a lot more than what it is

May 10, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
TheMovieReport.com

Charming, but finally strangely unsatisfying.

Nov 24, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

This clever comedy probes the fascinating intersection of love and creativity.

Feb 28, 2002 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice

The movie takes on more than it can handle, but the cast is strong and there are a number of lovely and funny moments to savor.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Film Journal International
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Audience Reviews for Illuminata

Amazing directing from Turturro and amazing cast (especially Christopher Walken)!

Linda K. T.
Linda K. T.

Super Reviewer

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