People I Know

2003

People I Know

Critics Consensus

The derivative plot fails to cohere or draw the viewer in.

43%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 54

31%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,929

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Movie Info

A powerful behind-the-scenes man in politics and show business finds himself skidding into a very public scandal in this taut drama. Eli Wurman (Al Pacino) was raised in the deep South, attended Harvard Law School, and has devoted his spare time to progressive political causes since working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. However, Wurman now makes his living as a press agent and PR man, and while he's near the top of his profession, years of overwork, constant smoking and drinking, and ceaseless tension are taking their toll, leaving him on the verge of collapse, with only the prescriptions of his friend Dr. Napier (Robert Klein) keeping him on his feet. One of Wurman's biggest clients is Cary Launer (Ryan O'Neal), a fading film star with political aspirations who, after attending a disastrous Broadway opening, asks Wurman to do him a big favor -- bail Launer's girlfriend, Jilli (Téa Leoni), out of jail and keep an eye on her. Wurman manages to get Jilli out of the stir, but she insists upon being escorted to an exclusive sex and opium den for a night of heavy drinking and drugging, and then reveals to Wurman that she owns a device which she's used to record footage of the most public figures who attend the club, including Elliott Sharansky, a billionaire Jewish civic leader (Richard Schiff). That night, a half out-of-it Eli accompanies Jilli back to her hotel room when an intruder barges in and forces an overdose on her, killing her instantly. The next morning, Wurman has only fuzzy memories of what transpired. He decides to focus on his attempts to set up a political fundraiser, but has a hard time getting the right A-list celebs to appear, just as many of New York's power brokers aren't especially interesting in working with Wurman or Launer. In the midst of this chaos, Victoria (Kim Basinger), who was married to Wurman's late brother, arrives in New York and urges him to leave the city and his career behind while he still can. People I Know was screened in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Cast

Al Pacino
as Eli Wurman
Kim Basinger
as Victoria Gray
Ryan O'Neal
as Cary Launer
Téa Leoni
as Jilli Hopper
Richard Schiff
as Elliot Sharansky
Bill Nunn
as The Reverent Lyle Blunt
Robert Klein
as Dr. Sandy Napier
Mark Webber
as Ross
Eldon Bullock
as Washroom Attendant
Juliet Papa
as Radio Announcer
Ramsey Faragallah
as David Fielding
Brian McConnachie
as Jamie Hoff
Frank Wood
as Michael Wormly
Rex Reed (II)
as Himself
Lewis Dodley
as Himself
William E. Corcoran
as Lobby Guard #2
Angélique Kidjo
as Ms. Thuli Kani
William J. Bratton
as Mayor Nick Conlin
Peter Gerety
as Norris Volpe
Daniel Whitner
as Lobby Guard No. 1
Jonathan Walker
as Doorman at Party
Iván Martín
as Serge
Kaity Tong
as Herself
Mr. Gandosuke
as Himself
Keith Siglinger
as Killer
Regis Philbin
as Himself
Joy Philbin
as Herself
Cynthia Santana
as Herself
Joe Duer
as Michael Von Aelstrom
Laurine Towler
as Julia Stone
Polly Adams
as Mara Samuelson
Patrick Kiernan
as Himself
Betsy Aidem
as Talia Greene
Greg Stebner
as Maitre'd
Shelley Kirk
as Benefit Guest
Tina Sloan
as Dr. Napier's Receptionist
Paulina Porizkova
as Dr. Anna Fahri
Sophie Dahl
as Tillie in the Mink
Peter Van Wagner
as Man in Limousine
Pat Kiernan
as Himself
Ajay Mehta
as Cab Driver
Tirlok Malik
as Cab Driver
Ben Shenkman
as Radio Announcer
William Corcoran
as Lobby Guard No. 2
Irina Pantaeva
as Summerwear Showroom Receptionist
David Marshall Grant
as Tom Silverton
Ted Neustadt
as Man in Sharansky's Office
David Michael Graves
as Harry Gould
Lisa Emery
as Elsa Nye
Andrew Davoli
as Romeo
Uzi Parnes
as Berger
Shelly Kirk
as Benefit Guest
William Hill
as Paparazzi
Geraldine Bartlett
as Sarah Niles
Steven Randazzo
as Jack Pollan
Jon Hendricks
as Himself
Terry Urdang
as Cokey
T. Scott Cunningham
as Crispin
Roland Algrant
as Rolly
Mr. G
as Himself
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Critic Reviews for People I Know

All Critics (54) | Top Critics (20)

View All Critic Reviews (54)

Audience Reviews for People I Know

  • Dec 27, 2007
    An interesting film.
    Leo L Super Reviewer
  • Nov 05, 2007
    Though the films themselves stylistically are completely different, the basic plots of "People I Know" and "Carlito's Way" are the same. Here, rather than a gangster, Pacino plays a burnt-out publicist eager to escape his shady way of life but, like Carlito, doomed never to do so. The story doesn't ever really get going but the acting is an absolute treat, with Pacino giving an immaculate performance, truly one of his finest ever.
    Stephen M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 02, 2007
    Man, didn't have high hopes for this movie which was a good thing. This is one of the lesser known Pacino movies and for a good reason; it wasn't any good. Pacino did some okay acting, nice to see him play the old helpless role, but nothing really to see here, from anyone.
    Kevin " Super Reviewer
  • May 21, 2007
    Bad movie. Al Pacino WTH are you doing ???
    ?? ? Super Reviewer
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