Who Plays Who?

Gabriel Macht Samuel L Jackson Eva Mendes Scarlett Johansson Louis Lombardi Sarah Paulson Jaime King Dan Gerrity Frank Miller Stana Katic Arthur the Cat Dan Lauria Kimberly Cox Larry Reinhardt-Meyer Johnny Simmons Seychelle Gabriel Eric Balfour Michael Milhoan John Cade David Wiegand Chad Brummett Richard Portnow

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The Spirit/Denny Colt The Octopus Sand Saref Silken Floss Pathos, etc Ellen Dolan Angel Of Death Det Sussman Liebowitz Morgenstern Himself Dolan Damsel in Distress Officer MacReady Young Spirit Young Sand Saref Mahmoud Uncle Pete Mafioso Officer Saref Reporter Donenfeld

What Do The Critics Say

"The Spirit is absolutely a film that cranks the volume and goes for broke. It aspires to mint a leading man out of Macht, who may be a veteran of the New York stage and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama but has a Hollywood résumé of supporting roles and indie fare. The movie is the solo directorial debut of Frank Miller. The Spirit is a stylised visual swirl that instantly divided viewers into love-it,or, hate-it factions at screenings." LOS ANGELES TIMES "There are some scenes that are tremendously cool in the picture. If you can swallow the imitated style, it looks fantastic." Kevin Carr 7mM PICTURES "The Spirit floats between being an absurdist piece and an action film imbued with fantasy and myth. See it for its visual strengths, if nothing else." Jade Tyrrell FILMINK "Like the movie versions of Sin City and 300, The Spirit's visuals are faithful to the sequential art formula and to many of the source material's original panels. The movie's world shifts between monochromatic grays and browns (dotted by a single spot of red) and splintering black and white contrast". Ranylt Richildis WEBWOMBAT "Whatever happened to the caped heroes who kept an eye on the city's dark alleys and took out the bad guys with nothing more than a sock to the jaw? Frank Miller's jazzy The Spirit answers that question with a cocky wink and a grin. As in Sin City, each frame of The Spirit is more painted than filmed. It's a frankly gorgeous effect." Chris Barsanti FILMCRITIC.COM

"Miller loves women in an, "I eat red meat and have scars on my knuckles from punching monster trucks" kind of way. Like, pure testosterone ass worshipping dude-ry. Mendes and Paz Vega as Plaster of Paris sizzle (my city sizzles) and enhance the overall well-done design of the movie." The Salmon UNIQUE GEEK "Now that they've gone and made Batman all serious and good, the campy comics hero movie mantle has been taken up by The Spirit." Bob Strauss LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS "The style dazzles, evoking everything wonderful and terrible from film noir and combining it with a likable hero and wonderfully pulpy premise." Jason Heck KANSAS CITY STAR "It's a visual feast, with every image lovingly framed and lit (and mixed with special effects) so that there's always something interesting to look at." Daniel M. Kimmel WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE "A classic superhero story, with a square-jawed hero who knows how to take a punch and kiss a dame until she's weak in the knees." Chris Barsanti FILMCRITIC.COM "Not since Mike Hodges' Flash Gordon have so many idealised beauties paraded in extreme fetishwear for a Boy's Own movie: Eva Mendes redeems a "you've made a perfect ass of me" photocopied bottom joke, Scarlett Johansson dons hornrims and naughty nurse gear (she gets a Gestapo uniform too), Stana Katic sports the ultimate in tailored cop outfits, and Jaime King shimmers as a siren of death only heard by cops and sailors." Kim Newman CITYSEARCH

The Inside Story It’s a moonlit night in Central City, and a call comes in to the Spirit. Some sort of shady deal is about to go down at the mudflats near the waterfront, involving an old, sunken cargo ship and the city’s most terrifying criminal, the Octopus. The Spirit leaps into action, but the Octopus is only too happy to battle him until both men are several steps beyond punch-drunk. Meanwhile, the Octopus’ ice-cold accomplice, Silken Floss, is headed back to their underground headquarters with one of two mysterious treasures looted from the bottom of the sea. As the smoke clears, one cop is dead and another is barely clinging to life. The Spirit should be dead too: he’s been shot, knifed and kicked to kingdom come several times over. And while his steady sweetheart, top surgeon Ellen Dolan is there to stitch him back together, the Spirit knows he’ll heal up just fine, and fast. What he doesn’t know is why. However, there’s no time to ponder that riddle. As long as the Octopus is still at large, no one in Central City is safe. "The Spirit" brings together two visionaries in the art of graphic storytelling: Frank Miller, the creator of such edgy contemporary classics as "Sin City", "300", and "The Dark Knight Returns"; and Will Eisner (6/3/1917 - 3/1/2005), a pioneer of the modern American comic book after whom the Eisner Awards were named. Eisner broke the comic book mold when he introduced "The Spirit" in 1940; now Miller achieves a similar feat with "The Spirit", a comic book movie that looks like no other before it. Miller cites Eisner as one of his greatest and earliest inspirations. "I first encountered Will Eisner’s comics when I was thirteen years old, and I thought he was the hot new guy," Miller says. "The work was about 40 years old but it looked fresher and newer than anything I’d seen before." Eisner was barely into his twenties and already at the forefront of the new comic book movement when he created "The Spirit" as a weekly, stand-alone newspaper insert. The series not only accelerated the comic’s artistic evolution from the three and four-panel strips of the ;funny pages; it became the incubator for a host of formal and narrative innovations. While invincible costumed crusaders like Batman and Superman were making waves, Eisner created a masked hero in a suit, tie, gloves and fedora, with no superhuman powers to his credit. He was neither millionaire nor alien, just a onetime cop named Denny Colt widely believed to be dead. "The Spirit" was very much an adult character, with a wry sense of humor, an eye for the ladies, and an unswerving devotion to Central City, the gritty urban melting pot he called home. Miller had begun working in comic books when he met Eisner for the first time, at a party in New York City. "I was writing and drawing one of my first issues of 'Daredevil' for Marvel Comics," Miller recalls. "Eisner took a look at the opening page and immediately told me what was wrong with it. We started arguing about the use of the caption on it, and that began a debate that ran for twenty five years about how to make comics and how they work." Did they get on? "We had a very fiery, healthy relationship and a very dear friendship. I learned a lot from him." Producers Deborah Del Prete ("The Wedding Planner") and Emmy Award winner Michael Uslan ("Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?") are both lifelong comics enthusiasts. In 1992, Uslan (Tim Burton’s "Batman"), acquired the rights to "The Spirit" from Eisner. In making the deal with Eisner ("Sheena, Queen of the Jungle"), Uslan ("The Dark Knight" & "National Treasure") recalls that he made a simple, sincere promise: "I swore to Will that nobody would touch "The Spirit": not a company, not a person; unless they were willing to respect the property and do it the right way." Almost a decade later, actor Dan Lauria introduced Uslan to Del Prete and her producing partner Gigi Pritzker ("The Phantom of the Opera"). Del Prete was intrigued when she learned of Uslan’s background in comic book properties telling Michael, "Look, I’ve always wanted to make a comic book movie. We’re independent filmmakers. We can develop things on our own. I’ve been looking for that kind of movie." Uslan did not see the Odd Lot folks for a long time after. In 2004, when he was still frustrated in his 'Spirit' quest, he went to a meeting with Del Prete. He was determined to make his 'Spirit' pitch. "We had a lovely conversation." He remebers her saying: "You finally brought me something! What did you bring me?" "Deb, I’m bringing you the greatest creative work to ever come out of the comic book industry in the last seventy years," Uslan responded. Del Prete looked at Uslan and said, "Don’t tell me you have the rights to "The Spirit"?" Uslan looked up into the sky and I said, "Mama, I’m home!" Del Prete was the first person who knew about "The Spirit"! It was a magic moment. When it came to a potential writer for a 'Spirit' movie, Frank Miller was on Odd Lot’s A-list. In many ways, Miller was an inheritor of Eisner’s mantle and Del Prete and Pritzker were determined to seek him out. When Eisner died in January 2005 at the age of eighty seven, Odd Lot asked Uslan, who would be attending the memorial in New York City along with Miller, to approach Miller about writing and directing the film. At first Miller passed, after all: how could he touch the work of the master, his friend and mentor? But after careful and respectful consideration he called back, telling them: "I can’t let anyone else touch it." Miller’s commitment added an even greater sense of occasion to the production. "You have Will Eisner, literally one of the creators of comics. Then you have the man who is the absolute leading icon of comics today, Frank Miller; who was Will’s protégé, peer, friend and battle-partner. That’s a coup," Del Prete explained. "What I wanted to capture in "The Spirit" was implicit in Eisner’s work," says Miller ("RoboCop 3" & "Elektra"). "The Spirit himself was a bit of a cad. While he had Ellen Dolan as his sweetheart, he had such an eye for the ladies. But the true love of his life is Central City, and she’s always there to be his real soul-mate." But, and there's always a but, as Miller points out: "As the Spirit brings order to the world, the Octopus brings chaos. As the Spirit seeks to help people, the Octopus seeks to enslave them," Miller notes, adding, "He’s also categorically nuts." When it came to casting the films lead actor, the production team decided on a different tack. They didn't want a big name actor in the role. Why? "We wanted the Spirit to be simply the Spirit to the public," Del Prete revealed. Gabriel Macht was cast as 'The Spirit'. Miller was impressed. "He makes a great Spirit in the film noir tradition." "The Spirit can do things that other cops can’t do and his physical strength is quite amazing. On the flip side, he’s a clumsy guy and the way that Eisner drew him, he’s tripping over stuff all the time. That’s part of what makes him charming," Macht ("Behind Enemy Lines" & "Because I Said So") says. The prospect of working with Miller would attract an impressive roster of actors. When it came to casting the arch-villian he Octopus, Miller had only one actor in mind: two time Independent Spirit Award winner (1995 & '98) Samuel L Jackson ("Pulp Fiction" & "Eve's Bayou"). "I had to look for the best conceivable villain around. He was my first and only choice for the part." Jackson, who played Agent Augustus Gibbons in "xXx I & II", appears to be both impressed and honoured. "The fact that Frank wanted me to be the Octopus is a source of pride for me," Jackson ("S.W.A.T." & "Snakes On A Plane") notes. Jackson took the Octopus to nearly operatic dimensions as a villain who revels in his role and enthusiastically dresses the part. "The Octopus is a bit theatrical; he puts on costumes and changes guises according to his whim," says Jackson. "He is a very smart individual: or, as he refers to himself, a criminal mastermind." Right! And deluded with visions of ruling the world too. 2003 Venice Film Festival Award winner Scarlett Johansson ("Lost In Translation") was cast as the Octopus's cold-hearted aide-de-camp and protégée, Silken Floss. Johannson ("The Other Boleyn Girl" & "Vicky Cristina Barcelona") describes Floss as, "very, very smart and easily bored. Silken’s there for the ride, helping this crazy guy with his drug trade and wearing cool clothes. None of it is real for her. Part of that is probably because she’s dipping into her drug supply all the time. It’s a strange phase in her life and who knows what will happen next?" Eva Mendes ("Training Day" & "We Own The Night") was cast as the pivotal character of Sand Saref, the only woman capable of breaking the Spirit’s heart. Miller found in Mendes an actress "as haunting and as gorgeous as the original brush illustrations." "Saref is really just a broken little girl. She’s decided the only things she can count on are really expensive jewels. She loves shiny things, as she calls them," Mendes (who played Matilda in "My Brother the Pig") explains. "The Spirit" reunites Mendes with her "My Brother the Pig" co-star Johansson, who played Kathy Caldwell in that film. Ellen Dolan is the daughter of Central City’s police commissioner and the onetime fiancée of Denny Colt. Gorgeous and gifted actress Sarah Paulson ("Down With Love" & "Serenity") was cast as Dolan. "I think Ellen tries to distract herself from the sadness she has over losing the fiancé she loved so much," Dolan says. "Like her father, she buries herself in her work. And she becomes obsessed with tending to and taking care of the Spirit, making sure that he is well and healed." Miller tailored the role of Lorelei Rox (the Angel Of Death) for Jaime King (Goldie in "Sin City"). She was thrilled to be reunited with the writer/director, who has become a close friend. "Frank is so highly creative, and this script was unlike anything I've ever read before. It was a sexy film noir, but also all these other things: romantic, sinister, fun and edgy." Spanish stunner Paz Vega , multiple award winner for her role as Lucia in 2001's "Sex and Lucia" (hire or buy it on DVD) and who would, in 2004, charm cinemagoers when she appeared as Flor Moreno in "Spanglish", was cast as Plaster of Paris. "I love comics, and to work with Frank Miller was a dream come true," she said. Stana Katic ("Quantum Of Solace") plays Morgenstern, the rookie cop who is dazzled by the Spirit. "Morgenstern admires the Spirit," she said. "Once she meets him: well, he’s just the cat’s meow and she develops this fantastic crush." Commissioner Dolan is played by Dan Lauria ("The Waiter"), a film buff with a home library of some four thousand tiles titles. Miller revealed: "As Dolan, Dan exudes authority, weariness and concern. In some ways, he’s my favorite character because he’s my encapsulation of Will Eisner himself in a bad mood." The cloned brotherhood of cheerful henchmen, Logos, Pathos, and Ethos (collectively known as Phobos), are played by Louis Lombardi ("24"). "Frank and Deborah told me they had a great role for me>" What was it? "It’s a guy who gets killed 50 times, and I thought, Wow. This is gonna be exciting!" Synopsis

This is the story of Denny Colt, a murdered cop who is mysteriously reborn as the masked crime fighter called the Spirit . Denny's life was shaped by his desire to become a cop and, as a teenager, his love for the beautiful Sand Saref. Life was good for the young loves, until fate stepped in. When Saref's father was gunned down, love and dreams were shattered. Determined to keep his beloved Central City safe, the Spirit pursues the city’s villains from the shadows and seeks to remove to the worst of them all: the psychotic megalomaniac known as the Octopus. Yet as busy as his ongoing mission keeps him, the dashing crusader always manages to make time for beautiful women, though he never quite knows if they want to seduce, love or kill him. But there is one lady who'll never betray him, and to whom he'll always be true: Central City, the proud old metropolis where he was born: twice.

The Verdict "OK, I'll say it: Frank Miller probably wasn't the best choice as Director fot "The Spirit". But that doesn't mean I'm going to write it off. I can well imagine comic fans sitting there through the first 10 minutes of the film and thinking: where the hell is this heading; or, this is a poor man's version of "Sin City". But thanks to some of the hottest, kick-arse chicks and a wickedly camp performance from Samuel L Jackson, by films end I was hoping they'd at least give it one more shot and follow "The Spirit" up with a sequel. And yes, given the material I feel Gabriel Macht gives a pretty good performance. "The Spirit" won't satisfy everyones tastes, but it is worth having a look at if you're into comic book adaptations. Very colorful. Recommended. 3 STARS." Crew Bytes "THE SPIRIT" was .......
directed by Frank Miller ["Sin City"]; screenplay by Frank Miller ["300" and "Sin City"]; art direction by Rosario Provenza ["Bratz: The Movie"]; costume design by Michael Dennison ["Mona Lisa Smile", "World Trade Centre" and "Mirrors"]; set decoration by Gabrielle Petrissans ["Buried Alive", "Undead or Alive" and "The Burrowers"]; edited by Gregory Nussbaum ["The Spirit"]; cinematography by Bill Pope ["The Matrix I, II & III" and "Spider-Man 2 & 3"]; original music by ]twelve time BMI Award winner David Newman ["Throw Momma from the Train", "The War of the Roses" and "Are We There Yet?"]. Run Time 102 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2009 - Hoyts Distribution - All Rights Reserved ©2009 All Rights Reserved The Movie Pages - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark Laws Apply.