John came to Hollywood to get that one big break in life. Years have passed since and all he has to show for are a menial job, unpaid bills and airhead friends and he's getting sick of it al... Read allJohn came to Hollywood to get that one big break in life. Years have passed since and all he has to show for are a menial job, unpaid bills and airhead friends and he's getting sick of it all. Is there a way out of this downward spiral?John came to Hollywood to get that one big break in life. Years have passed since and all he has to show for are a menial job, unpaid bills and airhead friends and he's getting sick of it all. Is there a way out of this downward spiral?
- Director
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- Awards
- 1 win total
James Le Gros
- Mike, Jr.
- (as James LeGros)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Featured reviews
One of those rare movies...
that takes you in completely. I can't help but noticing that many people praise Sean Astin. I agree, he is wonderful in that role. He makes the audience feel with him. But still I think this is definetely Rory Cochrane's Movies. His performance is so incredibly good, that I saw that movie three times in a row. There never was any doubt that Mr. Cochrane is a very, very talented Actor, but he just shine's out in "the low life". Yes, the movie is somewhat depressing, but it's Cochrane's play to thank for, that the viewer can still enjoy the whole movie. I really can't believe that I just recently saw it for the first time. To bad there might never be a DVD, finally a movie worth buying. bibi Germany
A little sleeper that wakes you up
Fine performances and a believable story revolve around a Yale graduate who is stuck in a rut of temp jobs. His bland friends can't help him get on his feet but a strange new roommate whom he thinks he can't stand actually brings out the life that he has pent up inside. At first glance this film may seem slow, a bit dark, and even depressing, but when examined as a whole after completion it really is a little slice of art with stand out performances from Cochrane, Sedgwick, and Astin.
Well worth watching
I highly recommend you see this film. The story revolves around one mans struggle to be unaffected by those around him no matter how much they care or try to help . The characters are very well rounded and all serve a purpose (we'll have no throw away characters here thankyou!) The acting is suburb and Rory Cochrane delivers , as usual , a well rounded performance perfectly capturing the stoic struggle with subtlety and intelligence. Sean Astin is at his nerdy best with strong support by Ron Livingston .
Well worth a look.
Well worth a look.
Entertaining ...
The characters don't interact with each other very well, but separately they are very interesting. I especially liked Sean Astin's Andrew, a lonely twenty-something with a penchant for 80s power ballads. James LeGros is up to his usual standards as Michael Schroeder, Jr., the landlord who sends his temps to do everything from plumbing to evictions.
I usually like Rory Cochrane, but either his character wasn't written all that well (probably the case) or he didn't do it very well. At the end you're more interested in Andrew's fate than anyone else's.
I usually like Rory Cochrane, but either his character wasn't written all that well (probably the case) or he didn't do it very well. At the end you're more interested in Andrew's fate than anyone else's.
demands respect and appreciation
The low life is a film that will no doubt leave you depressed and just for that, you know that this film is well made and very successful in it's aim. It's purpose is to portray the low lives of society, the people who are the 'scum' or the under-dogs of the world, the people we always look down on and give dirty looks. This film tells us that there is a reason for them being the way they are and provokes real sympathy. Sean Astin is the strongest link in this film, one can't help but feel so sorry for his character...all he wants is a friend. Viewers will find themselves hanging out for scenes with him. The low life is a very good film, realistic and thought-provoking....not uplifting, but thats how it should be.
Did you know
- TriviaRory Cochrane and Renée Zellweger appeared in Dazed and Confused (1993), Love and a .45 (1994), and Empire Records (1995).
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $45,436
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,589
- May 12, 1996
- Gross worldwide
- $45,436
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