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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
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    10

    Featured reviews

    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.
    bsbfsu

    Well-told rags to riches story for the Cyber generation

    How do you measure success? By winning "the game"? This film does an excellent job of posing that question in the milieu of smart, driven, talented 20something cyberkings who make (and lose) it all in a high tech high stakes poker game. Who's bluffing and who's really got what it takes? "Purpose" is smart, funny, fast paced and right on top of its subject matter.
    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
    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.
    7edge-7

    Pretty true account of a dot.com story

    Purpose, as a whole, does a good job of showing how money, power, and life in the fast lane during the dot.com boom in San Francisco can corrupt even those with good intentions. Jeffery Donovan (Robert) is great as the smooth talking deal closer that visionary John Elias (newcomer John Light) hires to help start the company. Paul Reiser, hardly recognizable as the mentor and friend to John, is funny and adds a lot to the film. Mia Farrow looks stunning, yet believable as the financial mogul out to make some money off the new company. Hal Holbrook and Peter Coyote add to the film, if nothing else than recognizable faces and steady acting. The film looks amazing, with fantastic shots of San Francisco and creative interiors that dominate the new money internet offices. Could be a sleeper hit if all the people who lost their jobs in the dot.com bust want to re-live it. It has a deep meaning behind the story of quality over quantity. I'd recommend it.

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    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

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    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

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