On Her Laurels

Author(s): Maia
Location: LA

"On Her Laurels"

Directed by Mark Rydell
Written by Dan Futterman & Mark Rydell
Original Score by Mychael Danna
Original Song “The Point of No Return” by Debbie Gibson
Cinematography by John Toll

Main Cast
Diane Lane as Cecilia Laurel/Hughes
Dan Futterman as Lou Hughes
Terrence Howard as Carl Davis
Lauren Ambrose as Liz Gator
Minka Kelly as Selma Sky
Kelli Garner as Danielle and Elise Hughes
Better Midler as Ebony Jones

Tagline: "Don’t take anything for granted"

Synopsis: Cecilia Hughes (Lane), a former singing diva who left her career to raise a family during the 80’s, struggles to make a comeback as the world that once worshipped her, today has almost forgotten her:In 1989, Cecilia Laurel was the #1 pop star in the world: her two records had gone multi platinum and her concert tour across America was selling out quickly. One day, everything changed: she became pregnant with her longtime manager and boyfriend Lou Hughes’ (Futterman) baby and she had to make a choice. Cecilia assumed her fans would remain loyal to her and she thought a brief hiatus wouldn't damage her career... 18 years later, housewife Cecilia’s twin daughters Danielle and Elise (Garner) had left for college and her relationship with Lou has started to weaken. When Liz Gator (Ambrose), a well-known young and lesbian DJ, takes one of Cecilia’s songs and makes it a big dance hit; Cecilia is offered a one-record deal offer by an independent company but is she prepared to compete in the cutthroat music industry, almost two decades later?

What the Press would say:
Returning from a noteworthy hiatus after “The Rose” and “For the Boys,” veteran director Mark Rydell brings his musical drama “On Her Laurels” to the big screen this Fall. Packed with passion and bliss to spare; this joyful tale of a retired singer who once took fame for granted and is now having an opportune comeback is one of the most satisfying films of 2007. Charming and captivating, Diane Lane possesses the appeal and confidence necessary to portray Cecilia during all the stages of her life: she glows during the 80’s musical numbers (dubbed by 80’s idol Debbie Gibson and written for the screen by composer Mychael Danna); she is heartwarming on her lonely and sedentary present life and finally, she becomes a joy to watch during her (attempted) comeback. Lane plays Cecilia as an uplifted spirit; her portrayal of a music icon is so convincing and committed that you can barely notice her lip-synching. Rydell realizes the power of his leading lady lies on her inner strength and charisma, not her actual voice, and he uses both to the film’s benefit with highly effective results. Lane is given lots of moments to shine by writer and costar Dan Futterman, who is also highly engaging throughout the film as Cecilia’s once supportive/now distant husband Lou. A special mention goes to Terrence Howard as the cocky producer Carl Davis, an obnoxious bigot who won’t let a “grandma” steal the spotlight from his protégé, spoiled pop sensation Selma Sky (Kelly). Howard is given the film’s funniest scenes and the actor lives up to the hard task of making his role, highly entertaining and sympathetic. Emmy-nominated actress Lauren Ambrose has the time of her life playing an eccentric, lesbian DJ who has become famous by posting her music online and Rydell´s muse Better Midler is back to business with a delightful supporting performance as Cecilia’s new producer: Ebony Jones, a short-tempered and washed-up 70’s idol with a substance abuse problem.Almost in the end, Rydell ingeniously places Cecilia in a whole new dilemma: now that she has recovered her fame and she has fulfilled her dreams, she must now decide if having an album on the Top 10 is truly what she wanted in the first place…Expect the Academy to fall in love with Cecilia and her comeback story and watch out for the film to receive the following nominations:

Best Picture (HFPA: Musical)
Best Director – Mark Rydell
Best Actress – Diane Lane
Best Supporting Actor – Terrence Howard
Best Supporting Actress – Bette Midler / Lauren Ambrose
Best Writing, Original
Best Original Character
Best Casting Choice
Best Crew