840 Maple Street

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: TX

"840 Maple Street"

Written & Directed by Michel Gondry
Cinematography by Conrad W. Hall
Original Score by Jon Brion

Main Cast
Maggie Gyllenhaal- Elizabeth Kendrick
Tom Wilkinson- Samson Walker
Jeremy Sisto- Michael Kendrick
Elizabeth Perkins- Jessica Western
Matthew Broderick- Gary Western

Tagline: "Have you ever felt like someone‘s in your house?"

Synopsis: For 5 years, Michael & Elizabeth Kendrick have lived at 840 Maple Street in Santa Ana, California. Elizabeth is a somewhat successful psychiatrist while her husband Michael is a big shot lawyer for one of the most successful law firms in south L.A.. Their relationship has lost something in the last couple of months. Both of them are too afraid to say anything about it and Elizabeth has turned to her alcoholic sister Jessica and her uptight husband Gary for comfort. But what they don’t know is that 840 Maple Street has also been the address of Samson Walker for a little over 6 months now. Samson was once a surgical intern at a hospital but quit after watching his wife die in surgery. He lost everything, his house and all his money. He worked odd jobs his whole life after that until one day he saw Elizabeth watering her plants outside her house. He was fascinated by this young beauty who reminded him of his wife he lost so long ago. So when she left the house, he broke in and has lived in her house while the Kendrick’s were at work, and living in the attic and night. One day, Elizabeth got home early. Samson frantically hid in the pantry. 30 minutes later, Samson moved from the pantry and slowly headed for the stairs while Elizabeth watched T.V.. When he was just almost out of site, Elizabeth turned around to see the bottom of his feet. She saw this as a chance to freshen up her life. She called him back down to the living room. Samson told her his story and Elizabeth was so fascinated by this old homeless man and fell for him. It was the beginning of an affair. When she was sure Michael was asleep, she would sneak up to the attic to be with Samson. He made Elizabeth happier than she had ever been. But when Elizabeth got pregnant, the real problems arose.

What the Press would say:
Michel Gondry’s newest film 840 Baker Street is a breathtaking film about a woman who takes back her life by having an affair with an old homeless man who’s been secretly living in her attic. Gondry has directed this film perfectly with the perfect blend of comedy and drama. Elizabeth, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of the most original characters in recent cinema history. Maggie gives her best performance ever as the young psychiatrist who reclaims her boring life. She has proven that she will be among the greatest actresses to have lived. Maggie will certainly receive her first Oscar nomination and definitely her first win. Tom Wilkinson teams up with Michel Gondry once again with another brilliant performance. You forget that he’s homeless and old and learn to love him. Jeremy Sisto is also good as the husband who’s a little too involved in work to notice that his wife is sleeping with a hobo. Elizabeth Perkins stole every scene she was in as Jessica. Perkins is perfect as an alcoholic and is a lock for Best Supporting Actress. Rounding out the cast list is Matthew Broderick who nails the character Gary Western, a sort of real life Ned Flanders. This film is spectacular with a near perfect score from Jon Brion and the amazing cinematography of Conrad W. Hall, son of Academy Award Winning cinematographer Conrad L. Hall.
Hall has proven himself with some of the best cinematography for a comedy I’ve ever seen. Overall, 840 Maple Street is a masterpiece and is by far the best film of the year.

FYC-
Best Picture
Best Director- Michel Gondry
Best Actor- Tom Wilkinson
Best Actress- Maggie Gyllenhaal
Best Supporting Actor- Matthew Broderick
Best Supporting Actor- Jeremy Sisto
Best Supporting Actress- Elizabeth Perkins
Best Original Screenplay- Michel Gondry
Best Cinematography- Conrad W. Hall
Best Original Score- Jon Brion