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Cosi - DVD

SKU: 5165126 | Release Date: 5/6/2003

Rating: R for Adult Situations, Adult Humor

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Rating: R for Adult Situations, Adult Humor
Format: DVD
Theatrical Release: 1996
Length: 100 minutes
Screen Formats: Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9 TV
Genre: General Comedies
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Synopsis

In this Australian comedy, adapted by Louis Nowra from his own play and updated from a '70s to a '90s setting, a Sydney slacker gets the chance to stage an opera, but his cast is assembled from the ranks of the mentally ill. After a long stretch sponging off his law-student girlfriend Lucy (Rachel Griffiths), college dropout Lewis (Ben Mendelsohn) fakes his way into a job doing occupational therapy with a group of asylum inmates. Although his original assignment is to stage a variety show, manic-depressive patient Roy (Barry Otto) soon hijacks the project and convinces Lewis to helm an adaptation of his favorite opera, Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti. Lewis' unlikely cast ranges from psycho firebug Doug (David Wenham) and scruffy loudmouth Sandra (Kerry Walker) to depressive, dirt-obsessed Ruth (Pamela Rabe) and self-effacing drug addict Julie (Toni Collette). Given the dearth of acting and singing experience among these players, Lewis opts to translate the piece from Italian to English and stage it as a play with only a few pieces of music. The show still proves to be more than its director bargained for -- despite the dubious assistance of his friend Nick (Aden Young), an actor/director who's currently staging his own over-the-top production of Diary of a Madman. Although Cosi reteams Muriel's Wedding co-stars Collette and Griffiths, their characters here never share a scene. The production also includes former Men at Work singer Colin Hay in a featured role, plus cameos from Greta Scacchi and Paul Mercurio (who appeared alongside Otto in Strictly Ballroom). ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Version Details

Languages/Sound

Eng

Screen Formats

Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9 TV

Additional Features

Dolby Digital Surround Sound Widescreen (1.85:1), enhanced for 16 x 9 televisions

Chapters

Side #1 --
1. The New Guy [7:54]
2. Martin and Lewis [4:00]
3. Who Speaks Italian? [5:43]
4. Drama is Therapy [4:39]
5. Cats Flamb� [4:33]
6. I Quit [6:35]
7. Field Trip [3:09]
8. Getting to Know You [3:25]
9. Fire! [3:09]
10. Password [5:42]
11. Maestro [5:48]
12. My Dream [8:55]
13. All You Ever Needed [2:31]
14. Aim for the Stars [1:07]
15. Curtain Up! [11:00]
16. Stand By Me [6:24]
17. Finale [2:21]
18. Credits/Wagner [7:56]

Cast

David Anthony - Knucklehead
Paul Chubb - Henry
Tony Llewellyn-Jones - Jeff Kirner
Paul Mercurio - Auditioner
Ben Mendelsohn - Lewis
Robin Ramsay - Minister for Health
Robert Noble - Mens Ward Nurse
Barry Otto - Roy
Michael Robertson - Cussing Patient
Toni Moran - Painter
David Wenham - Doug
Toni Collette - Julie
Greta Scacchi - Auditioner
Kerry Walker - Sandra
Jacki Weaver - Cherry
Aden Young - Nick
Pamela Rabe - Ruth
Rachel Griffiths - Lucy
Colin Friels - Errol Grier
Lawrence Woodward - Electrician
Brian Ellison - Rigger
Colin Hay - Zac
Henry Maas - Bernard Goldman

Crew

Director: Mark Joffe
Production Designer: Chris Kennedy
Camera Operator: Ellery Ryan
Costume Designer: Tess Schofield
Producer: Timothy White
Executive Producer: Bob Weinstein ,Harvey Weinstein
Casting: Alison Barrett
Songwriter: Stephen Endelman
Editor: Nicholas Beauman
Art Director: Hugh Bateup
Producer: Richard Brennan
Executive Producer: Phaedon Vass
Sound/Sound Designer: John Schieflbein
Screenwriter: Louis Nowra
First Assistant Director: Euan Keddie
Special Effects: Ray Fowler
Associate Producer: Lyn Gailey
Production Designer: Christopher Kennedy
Play Author: Louis Nowra
Producer: Tim White

Cosi: AMG Review
Brian J. Dillard , AMG

Although its love-triangle subplot is underwritten and its attempts to riff on Mozart's themes of romantic inconstancy seem half-baked, this likable little comedy transcends its hokey premise thanks to its fine ensemble acting and its frequently hilarious script. By mashing together elements of several different formulas -- crazy-people-are-funny comedy, underdog-triumphant melodrama, and let's-put-on-a-show pizzazz -- Louis Nowra's script gets to have it every which way. We root for the pathetic protagonists at the same time we're laughing at their tics. We thrill at the glamour of the footlights and the greasepaint even as we wait for the next mentally ill pratfall. As usual with movies about crazy people, the insane get all the best lines and laughs -- particularly Barry Otto as the aria-obsessed Roy and Kerry Walker as the lovably vicious Sandra. As the token drug abuser, Toni Collette gets to show some grave-faced restraint -- and show off her impressive pipes on renditions of several time-worn pop hits. Unfortunately, fellow Muriel's Wedding vet Rachel Griffiths gets stuck with a thankless role as the protagonist's unsupportive girlfriend. Otherwise, the ensemble fires on all cylinders. Despite such flaws, however, director Mark Joffe strikes a delicate balance between character-driven humor, Waiting for Guffman-style parody, and old-fashioned razzle-dazzle. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

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Cosi - DVD

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Cosi - DVD

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Synopsis

Version Details

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Related Movies

Order Support

Community

Product Support

Credit Cards

Reward Zone® Program

Corporate Info

More Best Buy Sites

Need help? We're available 24/7 at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289)