The Center of the World (2001)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Wayne Wang

Writers (WGA):

Wayne Wang (story) &
Miranda July (story) ...

Release Date:

25 July 2001 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A couple checks into a suite in Las Vegas. In flashbacks we see that he's a computer whiz on the verge of becoming a dot.com millionaire...

Plot Keywords:

Computer | Sexual Fantasy | Stripper | Female Frontal Nudity | Lollipop

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Shane Edelman	...	Porter
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Richard Longman
Molly Parker	...	Florence
Karry Brown	...	Lap Dancer
Alisha Klass	...	Pandora Stripper
Mel Gorham	...	Roxanne
Lisa Newlan	...	Porn Site Woman
Jason McCabe	...	Pete (as Jason Mccabe Calacanis)
Travis Miljan	...	Dog Owner
Jerry Sherman	...	Old Man
Carla Gugino	...	Jerri
Pat Morita	...	Taxi Driver
Balthazar Getty	...	Brian Pivano
Robert Lefkowitz	...	Motel Manager
John Lombardo	...	Gondolier

Also Known As:

The Centre of the World (UK)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:R(A) (cut) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:R | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:III | Italy:VM18 | Japan:R-15 | New Zealand:R18 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Jerri is yelling at Florence in the hotel room, the crew and equipment are reflected in the mirror.

Quotes:

Florence: What did you think? That I was falling in love with you?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Indie Sex: Extremes (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Black Cat Bone

. . .is it money? is it sex?

An extremely articulate and well-observed film from Wayne Wang, about what it means to have power - financial power, sexual power - and how shallow this power truly is, especially when it's detached from anything resembling true involvement, genuine passion. Both characters are obsessed with The Game, and they are both very good at it. Peter Sarsgaard and Molly Parker are both superb, letting us see enough of their characters' inner workings to completely understand them without showing too much, losing the edge. Each has what the other thinks he/she needs, and the film is basically a discourse on negotiation - what you will give up to get what you desire? Issues of control are central to the theme, and the cool thing is, both characters know it and they get off on that more than the actual sex itself.