THE MOVIE PAGES presents NICOLAS CAGE & ROSE BYRNE in KNOWING knowing.htm

What Do The Critics Say?

"Knowing is a biblical epic by any measure, if not by label, and a work of deep significance on many levels, ranging from a longing for divine intervention in this self-destructive world, to mind stretching sci-fi. Alex Proyas has taken what began as a fairly basic sci-fi concept built on the idea of a 50 year time capsule, to heights of psychological and visceral bravado."
Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE
"I must admit that, going into this movie, I was hoping for something different from Alex Proyas, the famed director of The Crow and Dark City, and something different is what I got! A whirlwind of devastation, spookiness, and downright "huh?" What more could you ask for?"
ATOMIC POPCORN
"A strange blend of apocalypse fantasy and Christian uplift, Alex Proyas’ follow up to I, Robot is every bit as beautiful as we’d expect."
Sara Schieron BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE
"I started out loathing this movie. I thought the director had flipped out and was taking the long way 'round to get to the point. By the time it was over, and I had gasped out loud at its amazing finale, I knew I wanted to see it again."
Linda Cook QUAD CITY TIMES
"Alex Proyas' high concept mystery thriller asks whether life has a purpose or whether it is just a series of coincidences: randomness or determinism. Out of the classroom, Cage's astrophysics professor John Koestler believes 'Shit just happens'. Plenty happens during the 122 minutes of Knowing, the film stands up as a solid escapist cinematic experience enhanced by its chilling symbolism, filled with tension and thrills, fabulous special effects and a monumentally big scale ending."
Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE

"The screenplay touches on fears of ecological and infrastructural collapse while also providing a distressing yet reassuring (you know, like the Flood) biblical parable for an increasingly skeptical nation. It earns my endorsement not because it's coherent but because it's so over the top it kept me engrossed for its full 122 minutes."
John Beifuss COMMERCIAL APPEAL
"Frankly, all of Knowing feels daring and deliberate, as if Proyas wanted to purposely undermine the expectations of the standard popcorn pandering. That it succeeds so well shows what this unsung artform hero is really made of."
Bill Gibron FILMCRITIC.COM
"Alternately ludicrous, eerily plausible and just a tad overreaching, the film shares its finer points with shortcomings and comes up with an overall cinematic experience more ambitious than most big-budget special effects extravaganzas."
Dustin Putman THE MOVIE BOY
"It's all very creepy, satisfyingly so."
Bill Goodykoontz ARIZONA REPUBLIC
"It's the movie Keanu Reeves' Day the Earth Stood Still remake wished it could have been. Trendy or not, Proyas knows science fiction and he’s delivered a capable sci-fi film with a few stunning set pieces and more than a little thought behind it. It’s entertaining and engrossing. Don’t dismiss it."
Joshua Tyler GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
"Knowing is among the best science-fiction films I've seen: frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome. The film has sensational special effects, which again I won't describe. The film is beautifully photographed by Simon Duggan, the Marco Beltrami score hammers or elevates when it needs to, and Richard Learoyd's editing is knife-edged"
Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

The Inside Story A single father desperately trying to defend his only child and a half-century old encoded message written by a young schoolgirl may be all that stand in the way of impending global disaster in the captivating, spectacular, sci-fi thriller "Knowing". From the moment they heard Ryne Douglas Pearson’s ("Mercury Rising") idea for the screenplay, producing partners Jason Blumenthal and Todd Black knew they had an unforgettable story to tell. "We spent eight years developing the script," recalls Blumenthal ("The Weather Man"). "We bought it as an original pitch. Ryne had an idea that started with a time capsule that was buried in the 1950s and then unearthed in the present day. The capsule contains a series of predictions that would come true. We knew immediately we had something very special." For the last five years, the partners have been working with Alex Proyas, the acclaimed director of I, Robot, to develop the idea into a feature film. "With a pitch, you never know how the final screenplay is going to turn out," says Blumenthal ("Seven Pounds"). "The story has changed in small places, but the larger overall themes have always remained the same. The idea of the time capsule and the predictions was such an intriguing and unique idea that we knew we had something to build on. It’s as exciting to us today as it was eight years ago. And seeing it come to life is amazing." Proyas was chosen to direct "Knowing" based on the singular filmmaking style he has honed since his 1994 breakthrough film, "The Crow". "We knew we found the right director in Alex," Blumenthal recalls. "His vision for this picture far surpassed anything that we could ever realize on the page. He brought in a whole host of scientific, spiritual and philosophical ideas that helped bring the script together." For Blumenthal, real-life events of the past eight years have caused a shift in what he sees as the most compelling aspects of the film. Initially he was intrigued by the concept of the time capsule: "I remember hearing about them as a kid. It sounded so sci-fi and out there, and when I realized that it was something that was going to be opened many years from that date, I was hooked. When I’m looking at ideas I want to develop, I look for things that have an emotional connection for me, and that one did it for me." Then during the development period, Blumenthal’s life changed dramatically. "Eight years ago I was not a father. I have two young children now. And at its core, the movie has become a parent and child story. That central family issue is very important to me and many other people on this film." He describes the film as "an edge of the seat psychological thriller with special effects that are going to blow your mind. But it’s more than that. This movie poses the ultimate question: How far would you go to protect your child? Would you be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice? That’s an intense idea. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you guessing at every turn. It’s a story that people will want to talk about because it poses many questions that will stay with them when they leave the theater. And for me, those are the best stories to tell." For 1999 Bram Stoker Award winner Proyas ("Dark City"), that meant finding a balance between the over-the-top action and visual effects of a top-flight thriller and the nuanced emotional journey of his characters. "For me, every film is a big film," he says. "I, Robot was a hugely complex technical exercise, but every film has its own levels of complexity. The great thing about "Knowing" is that is it has this bedrock of emotions and human interaction. Reality is what this story is all about what. We don’t ask you to suspend disbelief."

"Everything that we’ve addressed in this could possibly happen," Proyas ("Garage Days") notes. With their ideal director lined up, a finished script in hand and a studio ready to finance the project, the filmmakers set out in search of their lead actor. "At that point, the most important part became finding our hero," says Blumenthal. "Who’s the guy who will carry us through?" Iternational superstar Nicolas Cage brings the air of an event to every project he tackles. His commitment and dedication have made him one of the most sought-after actors in the world. "We always knew that Nic Cage was the perfect person to play this part,” says Blumenthal. "Nic brings an intensity, but at the same time an accessibility, to this character that most actors couldn’t deliver. I also think Nic believes in many of the themes we address in this movie. I also believe there’s something about the role and the story that speaks to him emotionally because he’s the father of a young son." " 1996 Oscar ® winning actor Nicolas Cage ("Leaving Las Vegas"), who plays Professor John Koestler, compares the script to an enduring American icon. "The script reminded me of one of Rod Serling’s "Twilight Zone" teleplays, and the powerful feeling that those shows had. It’s a science fictionmystery-thriller, but there are also some intensely dramatic moments." Cage and Proyas both jumped at the chance to collaborate on the project. "I had wanted to work with Nicolas for a long time," says the director. "It is always exciting to finally get to work with someone you’ve always wanted to work with." For Cage, the combination of the unique and provocative script and Proyas in the director’s chair made "Knowing" an irresistible opportunity. "It can be a challenge to find original stories and outlooks. Alex is an original, an artist with a different point of view." Cage, who has a Star on Walk of Fame Motion Picture at 7021 Hollywood Blvd, found the role of John Koestler particularly satisfying from an emotional standpoint. "He’s remarkably devoted to his son and he has the added pressure of raising him alone. We don’t see the concern that fathers have for their children often enough in movies. That’s another one of the reasons I wanted to do this film." Australian actress Rose Byrne’s career has included big-budget blockbusters such as "Troy" as well as acclaimed small-scale projects such as, "I Capture the Castle" with Bill Nighy. "Rose and I had wanted to work together for a while," says Proyas. "She brings such depth to everything she does on screen. That’s especially important in this film because much of what people are thinking and feeling is not always expressed with words." Long-time admirer of Proyas’ work, Byrne ("The Rage In Placid Lake") says the chance to work with the director was "a huge draw. I’ve really enjoyed working with Alex. He knows exactly what he wants, and he’s very compassionate towards his actors. He’s very much about the story and the characters." 2000 Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup winner for "The Goddess of 1967", agrees that it is hard to place "Knowing" in a single genre, a quality she sees as one of the film’s strengths. "The storyline unfolds really cleverly and the time capsule is fascinating. This is not just a straight thriller or a straight horror or a straight science fiction film. It’s a dead-even combination of those things." "It’s a movie that has the ability to change people’s minds," says Cage ("Con Air" & "National Treasure"). "I remember seeing The China Syndrome as a boy and it made me very aware that nuclear energy was a power to be respected. This calls people’s attention to issues that we can all affect in some way. The end of the world is on people's minds."

"We have the power to do it ourselves. The question is, what do you do with that responsibility?" "Movies with apocalyptic themes are particularly resonant with audiences because of the environmental issues the world is dealing with, says Byrne ("Two Hands" & "My Mother Frank"). "It’s a constant human desire to want to understand as much as we can about how long we're going to be around," she said. "People have been trying to figure it out forever. And whether it's Mayans or Muslims or Hindus, everyone has a theory on what's going to happen." Byrne was selected after an audition process that spanned several continents. "There was just something about Rose," says Blumenthal. “She has a freshness. From day one, Alex was sure she was the right choice. As he says, she has a real humanity. You can feel the pain and emotion that she's going through as she is discovering that these predictions that have set this story in motion started with her mother years ago." Byrne says working with Cage always carried the promise of the unexpected. "It was a blast. Nic is incredibly passionate bout what he’s doing. You don’t really know what to expect. He really threw a curveball at me in our first scene. We rehearsed it and discussed it, and then he came at it another way, which was really thrilling to figure out. It turned the scene from being quite gentle and subtle into something that was really his character losing it a little bit. It’s exciting to work with Nic because his mind is always one step ahead." For his part, Cage was impressed by his leading lady’s onscreen authenticity. "Rose is tremendously real," he notes. "She has the emotions required to make the situations in the film so palpable that people in the audience have to go with it. Rose has that ability to draw it as though it’s actually happening." Two very young actors, Chandler Canterbury and Lara Robinson, shouldered critical roles in "Knowing". The filmmakers went on a major talent hunt for the young actor who would play Caleb Koestler. Chandler Canterbury, who lives in Texas was nine years old when the film was shot. He had already won a Young Artist Award for his appearance on the television drama "Criminal Minds" and worked with Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Jude Law in "Repossession Mambo". "I did my first audition on videotape and my mom sent it on the Internet like every other actors. Then they asked me to read the whole script so I could learn more about my character." Ten year old Australian actress Lara Robinson took on two challenging roles in the film. She plays both Lucinda, the little girl who starts everything, as well as Abby, who is Lucinda’s granddaughter and one of the keys to the mystery. "I liked playing two characters in the movie. They were totally different. Lucinda was fun because she’s scary and sad and weird. And Abby’s fun because she’s normal." Of her co-star Canterbury, she says, "I would describe Chandler as a good actor. But he’s definitely a boy. He would ask me things like, would I shave my head for a movie? Or would I want to take my eyebrows off for a movie? Would I want to get rid of an eye for a movie? And I would say no to all those questions." "Lara and Chandler both were amazing in the way they understood what it takes to make a movie," says Blumenthal. "They’re great because they’re real kids. The minute we yell cut, they’re back to just being kids. They’re playing and having a good time and they enjoy it." "Knowing" was shot with the Red One Camera, the latest in lightweight high resolution digital technology. "We were looking for a very immediate quality for our picture and this is virtually identical to film," says DOP Simon Duggan. Synopsis

1959. A group of William Dawes Elementary School students, are asked to draw pictures of how they preceive the future will look. These will be stored in a time capsule for 50 years. But little Lucinda Embry's paper, is rows of apparently random numbers. It's now 2009. Students retrieve and examine the capsule’s contents. A young boy is handed an envelope: it is the little girls. Caleb’s father, astrophysics professor John Koestler will make a startling discovery: the encoded message predicts the dates and death tolls of every major disaster of the past 50 years with pinpoint accuracy. He discovers it foretells three more catastrophes: the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale. His efforts to alert authorities falls on deaf ears. Enlisting the help of Diana Wayland (daughter of the prophetic message’s author), he embarks on a heart-pounding race against time to prevent the ultimate disaster.

The Verdict

"Even though he constantly comes accross as dour looking and, despite the fact that he doesn't always play endearing characters, it's fair to say there's something very special about Oscar ® winning actor Nicolas Cage. That something special is simple: the roles he plays and the films he appears in, appeal to audiences. Audiences love him, because he's always capable of turning us around. Film critics may not like his films, but audiences, those of us who put the bums on seats, certainly seem to. "Knowing" is another film where initially, it's hard to find much to like in his character, single dad John Koestler. He's overprotective and a little too fond of the booze. But in typical Cage fashion, he turns it around. Despite what many of the critics are saying, "Knowing" is a very good film. The ride is to the spectacular ending is thrilling. The special effects are sensational. The storyline and the apocalyptic ending will cause many to confront their mortality: especially those who have children and grandchildren. It also shows that given the fragile world we live in, we are vulnerable to cataclysmic forces we have no control over. "Knowing" is a film many will want to see again. See it on the biggest screen possible, so that you feel the maximum effect, especially during the much publicized plane and train segments. The final scenes will leave you gob-smacked. Very recommended. 4 STARS." Who Plays Who?

Nicolas Cage
Chandler Canterbury
Rose Byrne
Lara Robinson
D.G. Maloney
Danielle Carter
Alethea McGrath
David Lennie
Nadia Townsend
Alan Hopgood
Adrienne Pickering
Joshua Long
Tamara Donnellan
Travis Waite
Ben Mendelsohn
Gareth Yuen
Lesley Anne Mitchell
Liam Hemsworth
Raymond Thomas
Rody Claude
Alyssa McClelland
Ali Ammouchi
Giovanni Bartuccio
Menik Gooneratne
Marc Lawrence

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John Koestler
Caleb Koestler
Diana Wayland
Lucinda Embry/Abby Wayland
The Stranger
Miss Taylor (1959)
Miss Taylor (2009)
Principal Clark (1959)
Grace Koestler
Rev Koestler
Allison
Younger Caleb
Lucinda's Mother
Lucinda's Father
Phil Beckman
Donald
Stacey
Spencer
Teacher
Patrolman
Flight Attendant
Man in Duffle Coat
Transit Officer
Woman with Baby
Train Driver

The Production Team

Director
Screenplay

Story & Adaptation
Producers

Original Music
Director of photography
Film Editor
Casting
Production Designer
Art Direction
Costume Designer

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Alex Proyas
Ryne Douglas Pearson/Juliet Snowden
Stiles White/Stuart Hazeldine
Ryne Douglas Pearson & Alex Proyas
Todd Black/Jason Blumenthal
Alex Proya/Steve Tisch
Marco Beltrami
Simon Duggan
Richard Learoyd
Gregory Apps & Teresa Redlin
Steven Jones-Evans
Sam Lennox
Terry Ryan