Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Purpose

  • 2002
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Purpose (2002)
Home Video Trailer from First Look
Play trailer2:05
1 Video
3 Photos
Drama

A software developer becomes a billionaire and is distracted by fame, greed and power, then must save his invention and company from a hostile takeover.A software developer becomes a billionaire and is distracted by fame, greed and power, then must save his invention and company from a hostile takeover.A software developer becomes a billionaire and is distracted by fame, greed and power, then must save his invention and company from a hostile takeover.

  • Director
    • Alan Ari Lazar
  • Writers
    • Ronnie Apteker
    • Alan Ari Lazar
    • Saki Missaikos
  • Stars
    • Ismael 'East' Carlo
    • Mia Farrow
    • Chris Howell
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alan Ari Lazar
    • Writers
      • Ronnie Apteker
      • Alan Ari Lazar
      • Saki Missaikos
    • Stars
      • Ismael 'East' Carlo
      • Mia Farrow
      • Chris Howell
    • 21User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Purpose
    Trailer 2:05
    Purpose

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast35

    Edit
    Ismael 'East' Carlo
    Ismael 'East' Carlo
    • Fisherman
    Mia Farrow
    Mia Farrow
    • Anna Simmons
    Chris Howell
    • Ted Otis
    Elena Evangelo
    Elena Evangelo
    • Claire
    John Light
    John Light
    • John Elias
    Gustavo Ruiz
    • Border Patrol Agent
    Ben Hernandez Bray
    Ben Hernandez Bray
    • Tijuana Policeman #1
    • (as Ben Bray)
    Jason Rodriguez
    Jason Rodriguez
    • Tijuana Policeman #2
    Megan Dodds
    Megan Dodds
    • Lisa Forrester
    Shaun Majumder
    Shaun Majumder
    • Victor
    Archie Kao
    Archie Kao
    • Kiko
    Paul Reiser
    Paul Reiser
    • Ben Fisher
    Jeffrey Donovan
    Jeffrey Donovan
    • Robert Jennings
    Zachary Kranzler
    Zachary Kranzler
    • Jim the Millionaire
    Peter Coyote
    Peter Coyote
    • Bernard Elias
    Concetta Tomei
    Concetta Tomei
    • Lily Elias
    Hal Holbrook
    Hal Holbrook
    • Tom Walker
    R.J. Chambers
    • Ranch Hand
    • Director
      • Alan Ari Lazar
    • Writers
      • Ronnie Apteker
      • Alan Ari Lazar
      • Saki Missaikos
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.21K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6frankcooperwitz

    A life without purpose is no life at all.

    I find the name of this movie highly compelling. It got me thinking about the purpose of my life. I think the message of this film is an important one. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but there is something significant to take away from this high-tech tale.

    I thought the photography in the movie was really stunning and I would love to see more moves with Mr. Donovan in them. He strikes me as being a real talent.

    I recognized the famous fisherman story cleverly woven into this movie. That is one of the best stories in the world. I am glad someone has paid tribute to this clever story.

    You should see this film when you are in a soul searching mood.
    mikedorfman2004

    Highly provocative.

    I saw this movie recently - I had heard about it via the grapevine and was not sure what to expect - I was very impressed. The art direction in this movie was excellent and the story line kept me interested all the way through. The main song that was featured a few times was very catchy. All in all I thought it was a highly provocative movie with an important message. We all need a sense of purpose.
    jamiebrodskey

    average film ... extraordinary soundtrack

    Truthfully, there is not a whole lot to say about Purpose. It is your typical dramatic, yet entertaining, exploration of a generation during the dot.com boom. But what is an otherwise middling film is incredibly enhanced by the awesome music.

    I believe that the director actually scored the film --- and while the score is cool, the really great music is found in the soundtrack. The music supervisor clearly culled through every musical nook and crannie to find these gems. In fact, the musical choices serve dual roles: it works effectively as backgorund mood and also really enhances the dramatic, comedic and emotional effects of the film. In some ways you could say that the musical soundtrack becomes a character in the film, much like a Greek chorus from the classic plays.

    Anyway, the film is fun and definitely worth watching. Paul Reiser, who I normally find annoying, is actually great in the role of Ben.

    Final Tally ---- Film 6 ---- Sound Track 10.
    9lior-6

    A truly unique and uplifting movie!

    A movie with a purpose! This movie is fresh, vibrant and fast paced. It tackles many social issues surrounding the moral and ethical values of our society. The struggle between good and bad is uniquely blurred, portraying the movie's hero in both roles. Commentaries on money, friendships and one's priorities are brilliantly intertwined into the intriguing plot. The viewer leaves the movie with a very powerful message that lingers on long after the credits have finished.... What is My purpose? Flameboy gives this one a Sizzling 9
    lafboy

    In a time of hype and a need for message...

    I liked this story very much, especially in a time where greed and money seem to be the front page themes of our national headlines lately. Purpo$e did a good job of posing the question to it's audience, "Why do you do what you do?" It looked amazing and the pace was sharp. I especially enjoyed Hal Holbrook as the Old Money Tycoon. Alan Lazar did a very good job in his feature debut and I look forward to his future projects.

    More like this

    The Tower
    4.5
    The Tower
    Dark Horse
    5.9
    Dark Horse
    I Do... Until I Don't
    4.4
    I Do... Until I Don't
    Touching Evil
    7.9
    Touching Evil
    Mr. Write
    3.7
    Mr. Write
    Strange Relations
    7.4
    Strange Relations
    Throwing Down
    8.1
    Throwing Down
    Rosemary's Baby
    Rosemary's Baby
    Final Draft
    6.8
    Final Draft
    The Secret Life of Zoey
    5.3
    The Secret Life of Zoey
    Bye Bye Love
    6.2
    Bye Bye Love
    Come Early Morning
    6.2
    Come Early Morning

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alan Ari Lazar's first and only film debut as a director, co-producer and co-writer. He also composed the film's soundtrack. Composing is his real job.
    • Soundtracks
      Yo Para Que
      Performed by Pepe Aguilar

      Written by Fato

      Used courtesy of Balboa Records

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1, 2002 (South Africa)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Purpo$e
    • Filming locations
      • Tijuana, Mexico
    • Production company
      • Earth Magic Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.