David Owen Russell (born 20 August 1958 in New York) is an American film director and screenwriter. He directed and wrote Three Kings and the existential comedy I ♥ Huckabees. Earlier films include independent films Flirting with Disaster and Spanking the Monkey. Russell was born in Larchmont, New York to a Jewish father and an Italian Catholic mother. He graduated from Amherst College in 1981, majoring in political science and English. Hollywood Reporter recently announced that Russell will co-write a political satire by the name of Nailed with Al Gore's daughter, Kirsten Gore. The movie revolves around the character of Sammy Joyce (played by Jessica Biel) who gets accidentally shot in the head with a nail by a clumsy workman, eliciting wild sexual urges. The uninsured Joyce goes on a crusade to Washington to fight for the rights of the bizarrely injured. She meets an immoral congressman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who takes advantage of her sex drive and capitalizes on her crusade as Joyce heads into her own career in politics.[1]
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Controversy
Three Kings
In 1999, news spread of Russell and George Clooney nearly having a fistfight on the set of Three Kings. After tensions on the set had been steadily increasing, Clooney confronted Russell with the intention of defending the crew. According to a 2000 Playboy[1] interview with George Clooney, he got into a fight with Russell on the set of Three Kings because of the way Russell was treating his crew. According to Clooney, Russell was demeaning the crew both verbally and physically. Clooney felt this was out of line and let Russell know by saying:
| “ | David, it's a big day. But you can't shove, push or humiliate people who aren't allowed to defend themselves. | „ |
Russell then taunted Clooney by saying:
| “ | Why don't you just worry about your fucked-up act? You're being a dick. You want to hit me? You want to hit me? Come on, pussy, hit me. | „ |
Russell then grabbed Clooney by the throat and Clooney "went nuts." Russell eventually apologized and filming continued, but Clooney describes the experience as "...the worst experience of my life."
I ♥ Huckabees
Not long after this, an altercation occurred at a Hollywood party between Russell and director Christopher Nolan[2] . During preproduction for Russell's film I ♥ Huckabees, Jude Law abandoned his commitment to the project to instead take a role in Nolan's upcoming film The Prestige[2]. Russell retaliated at a Hollywood party by headlocking Christopher Nolan while calling shocked onlookers "a shower of bitches". Almost immediately afterward, Jude Law left Nolan's project and returned to Russell's film.[3]
Russell also had conflicts with Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman during the filming of I ♥ Huckabees, video of which has surfaced on video sites such as YouTube[4]. These conflicts were first reported in a 2004 New York Times [3] article by Sharon Waxman in which she describes him calling Tomlin "...the crudest word imaginable, in front of the actors and crew." Additionally Waxman witnessed the following which is corroborated by the leaked videos:
| “ | Mr. Russell ends his tirade by sweeping his arm across a nearby table cluttered with production paraphernalia. He storms off the set and back on again, continually shouting. Then he locks himself in his office, refusing to return. | „ |
Waxman also comments to the effect that Russell made an effort to destabilize the actors to improve their performances, a task which was not altogether opposed. The set was characterized as emotionally charged, with Russell begging nothing but his dream for the film from the actors, who were sometimes driven to their wits' end after hours of takes. The noted instance circulated on the internet was one such dramatic exchange. Shortly afterwards, Tomlin remarks that she and Russell are "fine", saying:
| “ | I'd rather have someone human and available and raw and open. Don't give me someone cold, or cut off, or someone who considers themselves dignified. | „ |
Filmography
Director
- Nailed - announced
- The H-Man Cometh (2008) - announced
- Soldiers Pay (2004)
- I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
- Three Kings (1999)
- Flirting with Disaster (1996)
- Spanking the Monkey (1994)
- Hairway to the Stars (1990)
- Bingo Inferno (1987)
Writer
- Nailed - announced as co/writer with Kirsten Gore
- The H-Man Cometh (2008) - announced
- I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
- Three Kings (1999)
- Flirting with Disaster (1996)
- Spanking the Monkey (1994)
- Bingo Inferno (1987)
Awards and nominations
- Sundance Film Festival for Spanking the Monkey in 1994
- Audience Award
- Independent Spirit Awards for Spanking the Monkey in 1994
- Best First Feature
- Best First Screenplay
- Independent Spirit Awards for Flirting with Disaster in 1996
- Best Director (nominated)
- Best Screenplay (nominated)
- Boston Critics Association for Three Kings in 1999
- Best Feature
- Best Director
- Writers Guild of America Awards for Three Kings in 1999
- Best Original Screenplay (nominated)
Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- Is good friends with film directors Alexander Payne and Spike Jonze. Jonze had played the character Conrad Vig in Three Kings.
- Played a dinner guest of Susan Orlean in the 2002 Spike Jonze film Adaptation.
References
- ^ Weinraub, Bernard: George Clooney interview, Playboy, 2000
- ^ Nolan wants 'Prestige'.
- ^ a b The Nudist Buddhist Borderline-Abusive Love-In: 2004 New York Times Article.
- ^ Director David O. Russell flipping out on I Heart Huckabee'sYouTube.
External links
- David O. Russell at the Internet Movie Database
- "The 'Quirky' New Wave". Alternate Takes
