| Mr. Jealousy | 
 enlarge | Actors: Nico Baumbach, Peter Bogdanovich, Joel Castleberg, Chris Eigeman, Yvette Brooks Grant
Studio: Fox Lorber
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $5.39
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Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 39508
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 100
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Letterbox
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: FLVD5165D
ISBN: 1572527005
UPC: 720917516523
EAN: 9781572527003
ASIN: 1572527005
Theatrical Release Date: June 5, 1998
Release Date: March 7, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
Stoltz is obsessed with his girlfriends ex in this fresh romantic comedy. Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 01/23/2007 Starring: Eric Stoltz Annabelle Sciorra Run time: 100 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
It's not surprising that Mr. Jealousy didn't do well in theaters. The main character is obsessive and a liar, and by the end there's no guarantee that he's made any certain progress--which is part of what makes Mr. Jealousy such a sharp, insightful movie. The plot is entertaining to begin with: Lester (Eric Stoltz), a blocked writer, becomes obsessed with one of his girlfriend Ramona's former boyfriends, Dashiell (Chris Eigeman), who's recently published an enormously successful book and become a celebrity author. By chance, Lester discovers that Dashiell is taking group therapy; Lester joins the group and pretends to be his friend Vince (Carlos Jacott). When Vince learns about this, he insists that Lester tell him everything that goes on so that he can undergo therapy by proxy. The lies compound until Lester's relationship with Ramona (Annabella Sciorra) hangs by a thread. The writing is clever, yet never at the expense of the reality of the characters. Lester's jealousy is portrayed with almost excruciating details that make it both genuine and funny. The women in the film are not as developed as the men, but the performances are strong throughout. Fans of writer-director Noah Baumbach's first film, Kicking and Screaming, will not be disappointed. Maybe in the more intimate setting of video Mr. Jealousy will find the audience it deserves. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
A not-quite-conventional romantic comedy February 25, 2007
"Mr. Jealousy" is a romantic-comedy made by writer/director Noah Baumbach between two significantly more successful films - "Kicking and Screaming" and "The Squid and the Whale." If it represents a misstep or a continuation of a sophomore jinx (started with the other film he made between K & S and S & W, something called "Highball"), it still has lots to recommend it.
Set in Manhattan, the film explores the lives of several characters as they navigate the hurdles of romantic relationships while struggling to reach greater emotional maturity. The eponymous character, played by Eric Stoltz (also the film's producer) is the story's focus as he gives free reign to his jealousy, reacting to a history of perceived and actual betrayals, and along the way goes to amusingly great lengths to unearth the secrets of his new lover's heart. His behaviour is unsurprising within the context of the film but a bit of a deviation from the usual terrain of the romantic-comedy genre.
Compared to the more successful films made by Baumbach, which I mentioned in the opening paragraph, "Mr. Jealousy" is neither as loose nor as satisfying because it seems more locked in by the conventions of its genre. The ending in particular is weak as the story gets resolved in an entirely predictable manner. The film also suffers from performances which are merely competent rather than inspired (as Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney are, for example, in "The Squid and the Whale"). Despite these criticisms, it's a film that is worth seeing because of the wit and accuracy with which it looks at the destructive effects of jealousy. You probably won't laugh out loud watching it but might smile in recognition. It's a film that should not just be of interest for fans of Baumbach's other work but also anybody who wants to see a romantic comedy with a twist.
 Intelligent and provacotive January 14, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Mr Jealousy is a film that isn't for the mainstream. Maybe because it is very well written and the acting is earthy and sharp. Not for the masses; the dialog is very intelligent and the story is sincere yet laced with humor. If you're looking for that feel of an independent film that would make a European film enthusiast smile, this is a good one. If you like the Last Days of Disco or Kicking and Screaming or Metropolitan, you'll like Mr Jealousy as well.
Sharp, witty, right on target November 16, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Filmmaker Noah Baumbach nails the thing with jealousy and obsession dead on in this really sharp comedy. What makes this so much fun is the obviously high level of intelligence on display throughout the entire film. The movie hit home pretty hard; I recently met a beautiful woman I totally wigged out over and thanks to my obsessive behavior, she dropped me--not like a hot potato, but instead a volcanic one. (I hung my head for a couple of weeks after that).
Sigh. Lester, the obsessive guy in this film--played by Eric Stoltz--is so caught up in his own need to know he calls his girlfriend three times on one of the nights she says she wants to be alone, then jogs over to her house sometime after midnight. (Nothing like a wild imagination to get the better of you...sigh again). His girlfriend Ramona (Annabella Sciorra, in a perfect piece of casting) is beautiful but also pretty blithe about things and in fact, on the night in question, Lester may have had reason to think something was up...
Complicating matters is one of Ramona's ex-boyfriends, Dashiell (another well-cast role--Chris Eigemann, who does pompous and arrogant 30 something year old better than anyone in the known universe). Dash is a writer (surprise!) and has already published a book of short stories--and writer is a 'thing' Lester aspires to, although now he's a substitute teacher, and not a very good one at that.
Dash and Lester clash in a group therapy session, and how Lester got to the session is all part of Lester's obsession. The therapist, played by director Peter Bogdanovich in a surprise piece of casting, interestingly reflects Ramona's blitheness but of course applied to the field of psychotherapy rather than personal relationships. Lester's friend Vince and Vince's fiancee Lucretia also are on hand as a kind of snappy Greek chorus to both Lester and Ramona.
The main thing is that Baumbach really knows how to write very smart witty dialogue. He's a master at this, and that's what makes Mr. Jealousy a lot of fun to watch. It would be hard to find another 90s American comedy as sharp as this one--except, of course, Baumbach's OTHER 90s comedy, Kicking and Screaming. Interestingly enough, Eigemann (the Dashiell character) is a stock actor in Whit Stillman's films (Metropolitan, Barcelona) and there is some similarity between Stillman and Baumbach. But for my money, Baumbach is the man to beat.
Highly recommended--especially if you like sharp pungent comedy (with some real roaance as well).
Urban Comedy November 12, 2006
After watching Noah Baumbach's film Kicking & Screaming, I was inspired to search out his forgotten comedy Mr. Jealousy starring the irrepressible Eric Stoltz and stunning Annabella Sciorra (I really enjoyed her turn on The Sopranos). Aside from Stoltz, there are some other holdovers from Kicking & Screaming including Chris Eigeman (who inexplicably seems to have only appeared in the films of Baumbach and Whit Stilman) and Carlos Jacott. It is one of those sophisticated, witty, urbane comedies (ala Woody Allen) where everyone seems so intelligent and with it, doing interesting things in New York. Stoltz is an aspiring writer who meets Sciorra, an Art History doctoral candidate and as his character has shown in the past has become obsessed with her past. In that sense it shares the same basic premise of Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy, where the past life of one's lover becomes an obsession. In this case drives Stoltz to stalk and follow her ex-boyfriend, and successful writer, Dashiell Frank into therapy. I found the fact that they were so open about past lovers at the beginning of the relationship as a bit too shall we say-"European"? However, the comedic highpoint is where Stoltz chastises Sciorra for going to bed with him too early in their relationship, to which she asks if he's jealous of himself. The music was done by Luna front man Dean Wareham (who also has a cameo), and one of my favorite tracks by Luna, "Chinatown", appears in the film.
 Human Nature Misunderstood. July 17, 2005
3 out of 11 found this review helpful
Noah Baumbach hit paydirt back in 1995 with Kicking and Screaming, but in Mr. Jealousy, which he also directed and wrote, he does not offer his audience anywhere near the same complexity of character or plot. He also makes some glaring errors in regards to human nature. Eric Stoltz plays Lester who is supposed to be a man plagued by obsession and jealousy. However, Stoltz as always, is cool and engaging which means that he was a poor choice for the role. His demeanor is not in keeping with someone who is a jealous neurotic as he presents as being relaxed and anxiety free.
Regardless of personality impressions, we witness early on that Lester has partaken in some strange adventures over the course of his life's romantic relationships. Eventually, he enacts a most bizarre stunt involving an ex-boyfriend and group therapy during the film's climax. The audience is supposed to laugh at Lester because our society views jealousy as being a pathological trait, yet this is just another example of the way that human nature is misunderstood.
Yes, the O.J. Simpson brand of jealousy is pathological and anti-social; however, sexual jealousy in itself is quite adaptive and useful in the lives men. Were we not sexually jealous, our days would be spent raising other men's children and laboring to support women who shame and cuckold us. Furthermore, I would argue that a man who experiences no jealousy in regards to his mate/wife/girlfriend/whatever, is a man who is not in love.
Baumach completely mishandles his main character. In the opening sequence, he reveals that Lester was scarred by infidelity in his youth, yet his reaction to his girlfriend cheating on him is most civilized by any standard. Nearly all men would find such an event as traumatic as Lester did. Indeed, his present choice in girlfriends, Ramona, is a scandalous tramp, and his jealous feelings in regards to her would be universally shared. When one meets such a woman, the best thing to do is to break up with them because they will be an unending source of misery for whoever is dumb enough to become vested in their welfare. Not only is Ramona not "marriage material", she's not even "girlfriend material." She's a walking case of syphilis. Most calamitous for the film's message, is that Lester is correct to be so worried about her because she proves his worst fears true. If anything, the lesson we learn is that Lester is not jealous enough. Paradoxically, once the unthinkable happens, his reaction is not that of an obsessive and haunted man at all. He responds like a kind and friendly metrosexual. Instead of screaming at her, he is respectful and apologetic. That he would even speak to her in the closing scene at all is nothing short of astounding. Lester is everything that our post-feminist society prays for in its fabricated housecat men. His is a life to be abhorred. The movie ends up delivering a flawed contradictory message regarding the behaviors of men.
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