<<< January 31 - February 2, 2003 >>>

Born in 1964 and brought up in an Irish-Catholic, suburban New York family, Matt Dillon was cherry-picked out of junior high to be cast in his first film, OVER THE EDGE (1979), Jonathan Kaplan’s gruelingly honest portrait of teen alienation. His cocky, tough guy charm and dark, incendiary good looks quickly led to more roles in such films as Tony Bill’s MY BODYGUARD (1980) and Tim Hunter’s TEX (1982). For a while Dillon seemed destined to be pigeonholed as a James Dean-esque misunderstood youth for the 1980’s, with explosive roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s RUMBLE FISH and THE OUTSIDERS (both 1983). His delightful comic performance in FLAMINGO KID (1984) showed part of his amazing range as an actor, followed by his breakout performance as the stoned title character in DRUGSTORE COWBOY (1989).

Since then he’s proven himself wonderfully adept at comedy dark (TO DIE FOR) and bright (THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY), as well as multi-dimensional roles in such offbeat dramas as THE SAINT OF FORT WASHINGTON and neo-noirs like THE BIG TOWN and the exhilaratingly perverse WILD THINGS.

We are very pleased to welcome Matt Dillon to the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian for a showcase of some of his finest films as actor, as well as a special sneak preview of CITY OF GHOSTS, his debut film as director!

Friday, January 31 – 7:30 PM

Special Sneak Preview!

CITY OF GHOSTS, 2002, MGM/UA. Matt Dillon’s debut film as director is not only an impressively intricate tapestry of hothouse intrigue, but, as co-written by Dillon and frequent David Lynch collaborator Barry Gifford, a dazzling evocation of what was best in the works of Graham Greene and Joseph Conrad. Dillon stars as Jimmy Cremming, a con man on the lam who travels to Cambodia in search of Marvin (James Caan), his mentor whom he believes has bilked him out of his share in an elaborate insurance scam. What he encounters is a quicksand pool of subterfuge and labyrinthine betrayal. With Stellan Skarsgard, Natascha McElhone and Gerard Depardieu. Discussion following with director Matt Dillon.

THE FLAMINGO KID, 1984, 20^th Century Fox, 100 min. Dir. Garry Marshall. Matt Dillon’s seemingly effortless gift for comedy is spotlighted for the first time in this charming coming-of-age saga as he portrays Jeffrey, a frustrated teen intoxicated with the country club lifestyle where he works. Richard Crenna is the poker playing, high-rolling car dealer he idolizes, much to the chagrin of Jeffrey’s father (Hector Elizondo). Life lessons are learned when Jeffrey discovers his role model may not be all he’s cracked up to be. An immensely likeable entertainment and one of Dillon’s most popular early films. Discussion following with actor Matt Dillon.

Double Feature:

DRUGSTORE COWBOY, 1989, Artisan, 100 min. Devilishly charming Matt Dillon is the head honcho of a quartet of ne’erdowell addicts (the superb Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and Heather Graham round out the foursome) who support their habits by robbing drugstores in the mid-1970’s northwest. Director Gus Van Sant expertly shifts his matter-of-fact tone from humorous to gutwrenching, proving a potent force to be reckoned with in his first major film. The picture that made critics stand up and really take notice of Matt Dillon’s multi-faceted talent. With James Remar as Dillon’s cop nemesis and William Burroughs as a junkie ex-priest.

WILD THINGS, 1998, Columbia, 108 min. Dir. John McNaughton. Part teen femme fatale fable and part amour fou epic, WILD THINGS bristles with so much razor tongued dialogue and subversive plot twists, you’ll have to pay close attention to keep your mind from twisting into a pretzel by the devastating climax. Matt Dillon once again proves his versatility in the by turns sympathetic and detestable role of a high school teacher accused by Neve Campbell and Denise Richards of sexual abuse. Beware – absolutely no one is who they appear to be in this brilliant southern gothic neo-noir. Co-starring Kevin Bacon, Bill Murray, Robert Wagner and Theresa Russell. Discussion between films with Matt Dillon.

Sunday, February 2 – 4:00 PM

OVER THE EDGE, 1979, Warner Bros., 95 min. Director Jonathan Kaplan, ably supported by a searing screenplay by Tim Hunter and Charles Haas, delivers one of the most painfully honest and human depictions of misunderstood teen frustration ever made. Upwardly mobile Colorado parents neglect their kids while adding finishing touches to their idealized planned community, a situation that finally mushrooms into a full-blown youth riot. In his film debut, Matt Dillon is instantly recognizable star material as the wildest of the repressed teenagers. He leads an exceptionally talented young cast that also includes Michael Eric Kramer, Pamela Ludwig and Vincent Spano. Discussion following with actor Matt Dillon and co-screenwriter Tim Hunter.

Sunday, February 2 – 7:00 PM

Double-Feature:

THE SAINT OF FORT WASHINGTON, 1993, Warner Bros., 108 min. Tim Hunter (TEX, THE RIVER’S EDGE) directs this sympathetic portrait of down-on-their-luck homeless New Yorkers with Matt Dillon as an untreated schizophrenic with aspirations as a photographer who encounters an unlikely guardian angel in broken down Vietnam vet, Danny Glover. Ving Rhames is memorably bigger-than-life as Little Leroy, a bully who zeroes in on Dillon for abuse. With Nina Siemaszko, Rick Aviles.

TEX, 1982, Walt Disney, 103 min. Dir. Tim Hunter. Excellent S.E. Hinton adaptation with Matt Dillon as a rambunctious troubled teen who rebels against older brother Jim Metzler’s guidance when their mother dies and their father abandons them. A remarkably flavorful and honest-slice-of-life with support from Ben Johnson, Meg Tilly and Emilio Estevez. Discussion between films with actor Matt Dillon and director Tim Hunter.