Anyone who has been forced to make ends meet will find the new film, "The Man from Elysian Fields," amusing.
Andy Garcia plays fledgling novelist Byron Tiller who -- unable to successfully pitch his second manuscript to his publisher -- plunges into a world of male prostitution, supposedly out of desperation to support his loving wife (Julianna Margulies) and young son.
The film suggest that because Tiller cannot sell his novel -- and because he once quit an advertising copywriter job on bad terms -- he is unable to work as a writer in any capacity and therefore must entertain the idea of being a male "escort." Unfortunately, we don't get to know Tiller well enough to understand why he would make this leap, which consequently, seems unreasonable. Surely he could have accepted an unglamorous writing job just to get by?
However, although Tiller's decision is unbelievable, it does allow us to enjoy Mick Jagger's character, Luther Fox. The two meet in a bar and Tiller is charmed by Fox after he claims to have read his bargain-bin first novel, "Hitler's Child."
After a single conversation, Fox offers Tiller the opportunity to work for him at a place called Elysian Fields, a male escort service that provides sex and companionship for wealthy women.
Tiller, although hesitant at first, decides to take Fox up on his offer. He doesn't, however, tell his wife about his new gig. Rather, he fibs that he's spending his evenings away from home sealing a deal with the Book of the Month people. Sadly, Margulies' character buys it.
{INSERT_RELATED}Fox assigns Tiller to Andrea (Olivia Williams), a young, beautiful woman who is married to one of Tiller's writing mentors, Tobias Talcott. Talcott is dying and has given Andrea his blessing to fulfill her sexual needs with other men. Tiller quickly becomes intertwined with both Talcotts, sexually with the Mrs. and professionally with the ailing Mr. who has clearly lost his inspiration and is in need of creative assistance.
The film is, at times, way too sentimental, even for mushy types, and much of it is unbelievable. But the acting, aside from the annoying Margulies, is good. Garcia does the best one could expect with a character that's underdeveloped and contrived and Jagger is perfect for the incredibly complex and mysterious character. His British accent is music to the ears, and as an actor, Jagger was able to transcend his image as the satisfaction-less rocker.
"The Man From Elysian Fields" opens Fri., Nov. 29 at the Oriental Theatre.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
