Purple Violets (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer (WGA):

Edward Burns (written by)

Release Date:

20 February 2009 (Mexico)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A second chance for a first love.

Plot:

Patti Petalson (Blair) struggles with the pressure of becoming the next important American writer. |

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Selma Blair	...	Patti Petalson
Patrick Wilson	...	Brian Callahan
Edward Burns	...	Michael Murphy
Debra Messing	...	Kate Scott
Dennis Farina	...	Gilmore
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Max Baker	...	Mark
James Biberi	...	Elevator Operator
George Bryant II	...	Limo driver
Orlagh Cassidy
Rosemarie DeWitt	...	Murph's Hamptons fling
Heather Goldenhersh	...	Sassy Party-Goer
Peter Jacobson	...	Monroe - Real estate agent
Donal Logue	...	Chazz Coleman
Jay Patterson	...	Michael's Agent
Joe Pistone	...	Top Cat
Dmitry Pomirchy	...	Actor
Elizabeth Reaser	...	Bernadette
John Russo
Damon Stone
Peter Van Wagner	...	Mr. Sabatini
Bob Wiltfong	...	Bookstore Representative

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | Australia:M | Mexico:B

Company:

Wild Ocean Films

Trivia:

"Purple Violets" became the first feature film to premiere exclusively on iTunes.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the rain scene of Patti and Brian in the evening after dining together, a white BMW cabriolet is seen under the rain with its roof open.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-11-24)" (2007)

Purple Violets Is A Nice Addition to the Burns Collection

I have to say, I liked "Brother's McMullen" and "She's The One" when they came out and find them to be in the same New York Tradition as a lot of the other dying breed of New York Romance genre films. I also enjoyed that I could download it via iTunes instead of having to make a day of it to see it at one of the few theaters that still shows independent movies.

Although not his best work, I think Purple Violets is still a laudable addition to Burns filmography.

In regards to the comments by Micheal C., I think he must have recently gotten a parking ticket, or woke up in bumper to bumper traffic because clearly he isn't seeing the same film as others. As far as the story not making any sense...what in particular didn't make any sense? In one story line you have a woman who is dealing with a husband who is increasingly unavailable and dealing with emotions from a love of her past.

In another storyline you have an alcoholic lawyer who is making amends with his past, and maybe hoping that in addition to forgiveness he can find his way back into the heart of the love of his life. You may think that the story is unrealistic, a skeptic or jaded person might even find the whole romantic aspect to it dated, but it hardly is nonsensical.

As far as Characters being obnoxious and performers overacting, and script rife with clichés? This comment writer must have been watching the latest iteration of Peter Pan or Tarzan, but certainly not this movie. Ed Burns himself cannot be considered an over actor. If anything he is usually more cognitive than emotive. I think that all the players, save Messing, stay well within acceptable norms of behavior in regards to "overacting." The only character I found to be uniformly obnoxious is Donal Logue, who played Blair's British husband, and he was supposed to be obnoxious. Interesting note: I have only seen my sister's husband who is a chef cook once and I have eaten with them many times. The last thing they want to do when home is cook anymore. Finally as far as cliché goes, each romantic movie is going to have a bit of cliché in it. But there is always the aspect of character to make it at least something to follow and get into, and I think the characters in this movie offer that, and in fresh new ways. Besides, you really can't have it both ways, either a script makes no sense (not cliché) or is predictable (cliche) you can't have it both ways. I think the film balances some age old romantic plot devices with some new fresh commentary on various aspects of modern life.

As far as it being the worst movie the writer had seen all year, the comment writer must not get out much. I have seen many worse movies over the span of the year. Some I have forgotten, others I wish I could forget.

I don't think the writer of said comments actually watched the movie and seemed more annoyed by small aspects of it. For instance, his wife does not catch him masturbating to internet porn, but to 900 numbers. And although one can be annoyed at people with money carping about unhappiness, it does happen. Money does not make problems go away.

Hate to say this, but not all writers sit around and bat witticisms to one another while sipping Manhattans, and I bet there are many lawyers who don't get that much into their clients business. Finally, it is a movie, if you wanted it to be a true life biography about a writer watch Faulkner week on the history channel.

That being said, it takes all kinds.