I Heart Huckabees (2004)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

David O. Russell

Writers (WGA):

David O. Russell (written by) &
Jeff Baena (written by)

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

An existential comedy

Plot:

A husband-and-wife team play detective, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, the happy duo helps others solve their existential issues, the kind that keep you up at night, wondering what it all means.

Plot Keywords:

Coincidence | Elevator | Hit In The Face | Sudanese | Man Wearing Wig

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jason Schwartzman	...	Albert Markovski
Isabelle Huppert	...	Caterine Vauban
Dustin Hoffman	...	Bernard
Lily Tomlin	...	Vivian
Jude Law	...	Brad Stand
Mark Wahlberg	...	Tommy Corn
Naomi Watts	...	Dawn Campbell
Angela Grillo	...	Angela Franco
Ger Duany	...	Mr. Stephen Nimieri
Darlene Hunt	...	Darlene
Kevin Dunn	...	Marty
Benny Hernandez	...	Davy
Richard Appel	...	Josh
Benjamin Nurick	...	Harrison
Jake Muxworthy	...	Tim

Also Known As:

I Love Huckabee's (USA) (working title)
I Love Huckabees (USA) (alternative title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and a sex scene.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | French | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Brazil:18 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Netherlands:AL | Iceland:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | South Africa:13LS | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Ireland:15 | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

777 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

In March 2007, two videos appeared on the Internet showing on-set arguments between David O. Russell and Lily Tomlin. In one video, during filming of the office scene, Tomlin was annoyed at his direction and Russell snapped, calling Tomlin several foul names and even went so far as to knock over parts of the set. Dustin Hoffman can be seen walking away, hoping not to get involved. In the other video, while filming a scene in a car, Tomlin screams obscenities at Russell and gives him the middle finger. She also screams at Hoffman and Naomi Watts when they ask her to continue the scene. The car scene is not in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Bernard and Vivian are in Brad and Dawn's Kitchen, Brad says, "This is not why I hired you." and has his arms crossed. In the next shot, a wide shot of the two couples, Brad has one hand in his pocket and the other by his side.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Albert Markovski: Motherfucking cocksucker motherfucking shit fucker what am I doing? What am I doing? I don't know what I'm doing. I'm doing the best that I can. I know that's all I can ask of myself. Is that good enough? Is my work doing any good? Is anybody paying attention? Is it hopeless to try and change things? The African guy is a sign, right? Because if he isn't, than nothing in this world makes any sense to me. I'm fucked! Maybe I should quit. Don't quit! Maybe I should just fucking quit. Don't fucking quit! I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to fucking do anymore! Fucker! Fuck shit!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "20 to 1: Scandals & Sensations (#5.2)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

You Can't Take It with You

I loved it, but you probably won't

I have to agree with the reviewer who said this film will appeal to a very narrow audience.

If you are a philosophy major or just a major black-clad espresso drinker, you'll probably resent the movie for "dumbing down" existentialism. If you're a regular person looking for a regular comedy to enjoy, please, trust me, skip this film.

But if you're philosophically curious, acquainted with Camus, and like a little vertigo with your comedy, run, do not walk, and pick up this film. For that narrow group, and by no means are they an elite, this is the ultimate feel-good film.