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Writer Paul Auster made his solo directorial debut with this romantic drama that combines myth and realism in a form of storytelling that is both simple and complex. Izzy Maurer is a jazz saxophonist whose life is permanently changed when he is hit by a stray bullet. After his recovery, Izzy can no longer play and falls into a depression. He stumbles across the body of a stranger and ends up with the dead man’s briefcase. Inside, he discovers a mysterious stone which leads him to Celia Burns, an aspiring actress and listener of his music. Together, they discover the power of the stone and the threat of those who want it, as the story takes a dark and surprising turn into the Pandora’s Box of Izzy’s soul. Cast includes Harvey Keitel, Mira Sorvino, Willem Dafoe, Gina Gershon and Vanessa Redgrave.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
310947
Language
English
Audience classification
MA
Subject categories
Feature films → Feature films - United States
Music & Performing Arts → Jazz music
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)