Chrystal (2004)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Ray McKinnon

Writer:

Ray McKinnon (written by)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Life is hard. Love is simple.

Plot:

Sixteen years after the accident that claimed his son's life and permanently injured his wife, a man returns to his home in search of redemption. |

Plot Keywords:

Redemption | Musicologist | Random Sex | Car Chase | Going Home

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton	...	Joe
Lisa Blount	...	Chrystal
Ray McKinnon	...	Snake
Harry Lennix	...	Kalid
Walton Goggins	...	Larry (as Walt Goggins)
Grace Zabriskie	...	Gladys
Johnny Galecki	...	Barry
Colin Fickes	...	Hog
Max Kasch	...	Shorty
James Intveld	...	Charlie Cato
Kathryn Howell	...	Miss Mabel
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Pa Da
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ed Corbin	...	Ned
Eddie King	...	Roamer
Janet Arvia	...	Extra (uncredited)
Cheri Leffew	...	Extra (uncredited)

Directed by
Ray McKinnon

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Ray McKinnon		written by

Produced by
Lisa Blount	....	producer
Walton Goggins	....	producer (as Walt Goggins)
Bruce Heller	....	producer
Anthony Katagas	....	co-producer
Anthony Katagas	....	line producer
David Koplan	....	producer
Ray McKinnon	....	producer
Peter E. Strauss	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Stephen Trask

Cinematography by
Adam Kimmel		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Myron I. Kerstein
Ann Trulove

Casting by
Emily Schweber
Sarah Tackett

Production Design by
Chris Jones

Art Direction by
David Hedge

Set Decoration by
Elizabeth Keenan

Costume Design by
Kelli Jones

Makeup Department
Patricia Androff	....	key makeup artist
Philip Ivey	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Jonathan Manzo	....	production manager
Jonathan Manzo	....	unit production manager
Jamey Pryde	....	post-production supervisor
Jonathan Strauss	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mariela Comitini	....	second assistant director
Carrie Fix	....	assistant director

Art Department
Richard Moran	....	assistant property master
Ian Savage	....	swing

Sound Department
Lance Brown	....	sound re-recording mixer
Dane A. Davis	....	supervising sound editor
Scott Edelson	....	boom operator
Stephanie Flack	....	supervising dialogue adr editor
Paul Hackner	....	sound editor
Jim Hawkins	....	sound mixer
Matt Hedges	....	sound editorial coordinator
Eric Lindemann	....	supervising sound editor
Dana Merwin	....	sound production assistant
Eryne Prine	....	foley supervisor
Nathan Whitehead	....	first assistant sound editor

Special Effects by
Drew Jiritano	....	special effects supervisor
Neil Ruddy	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Scott Dougherty	....	visual effects executive producer: Furious FX
Bill Gilman	....	digital compositor: Furious FX
David Lingenfelser	....	visual effects supervisor: Furious FX

Stunts
Roy Farfel	....	stunt driver

Camera and Electrical Department
John Barr	....	camera operator
John Barr	....	gaffer
George Bianchini	....	Steadicam operator
Tony Bryan	....	gaffer
Paul DeMarte	....	first assistant camera
Anne Joyce	....	still photographer
Jamie Lagerhausen	....	key grip
Dave Muskeni	....	electrician
David Richardson	....	best boy grip
Dan Schroer	....	second assistant camera

Casting Department
Brad Gilmore	....	casting assistant
Ben Hynum	....	location casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eileen Doss	....	wardrobe assistant
Stacey Hughes	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Gilbert Carreras	....	color timer
Rachel Goodlett	....	assistant editor
Matt Maddox	....	editorial production assistant
Dana Merwin	....	post-production coordinator

Music Department
Don Fleming	....	music supervisor
Damon Intrabartolo	....	conductor
Damon Intrabartolo	....	orchestrator
Shie Rozow	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Rick Damazio	....	transportation captain

Other crew
John 'Biff' Atkinson	....	production assistant
Ashley Bearden	....	assistant production office coordinator
Daniel Coss	....	location manager (as Danny Coss)
Chad R. Davis	....	stand-in
Charlie Dicus	....	production assistant
Guin Dill	....	animal trainer
Charlotte Franklin	....	accounting production assistant
E.J. Friedman	....	production assistant
Chris Gibson	....	assistant location manager
Tony Grat	....	production assistant
Mike Hill	....	production assistant
Peter Hutchison	....	production accountant
Clark McCutchen	....	production attorney
Ryan Melnechuk	....	key set production assistant
P. Claire Pertalion	....	production office coordinator
Kerry Leigh Pittenger	....	production secretary
Stephanie A. Purdy	....	animal trainer
Michael Taylor	....	script supervisor
Ashley Rebecca Welch	....	production assistant
Carl 'Rocky' Lee Wright III	....	stand-in: Johnny Gallecki, Kingston

Production Companies

• Chrystal Productions
• Ginny Mule Pictures
• Panache Pictures

Distributors

• First Look International (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• First Look International
• Palisades Pictures (2004) (USA) (all media)

Special Effects

• Furious FX

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Danetracks  sound design & editorial
• Paws for Effect  animals by
• Pivotal Post  Avid editing equipment provided by

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, nudity, drug content, violence and language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Arkansas, USA

Company:

Chrystal Productions

As rich and complex as Ozark culture

This remarkable and completely unique film had me on the edge of my seat from the moment I heard the haunting music playing on a cello in the opening scene. I knew from the choice of this instrument when most would use a banjo or other traditional instruments common to mountain culture, that I was in for many surprises. The entire score was brilliant.

Ray McKinnon's script and direction is so original and painfully real and passionate. Just when the reality is too much to bear he makes you laugh so hard your belly aches. The acting by the entire cast, including that wonderful dog as broken as the family, is perfection. The fight scene is a ballet and nobody since Peter O'Toole moves as well as Ray McKinnon with such self-abandonment.

His performance as Snake is at once very funny and terrifying. Lisa Blount gives a performance of a lifetime. It is a difficult role which could easily have been one dimensional or overdone but she brings subtlety, nuances and richness to this character that is so fragile that you just want to reach into the screen and comfort her.

Billy Bob Thornton breaks your heart with his strong portrayal of the husband so consumed with guilt that he sets up a situation to allow himself to be beaten into a pulp to be punished for his sin.

The location and production design captures the Ozarker's uncommon and palpable sense of place and the junk sculpture in the yard is such a touching metaphor for a broken family welded together, with hope to heal and create a future. The last moment will take your breath away. I hope this film gets a chance to be seen by everyone. I feel grateful to have discovered it.