A good biopic has to come from a variety of areas. First, the subject has to be interesting enough to warrant a feature film. Then you definitely need a quality filmmaker to bring it to life. And finally, the cast really should be solid, otherwise the filmmaking and subject are all for naught. (Now, that I think about it, this is true of all films, but I digress.) All that to say, the cast and crew for the new film, “Raised Eyebrows,” sure does tick a lot of those boxes.
According to Deadline, Oren Moverman is set to direct and co-write a new biopic, “Raised Eyebrows,” about the twilight years of Groucho Marx. The film is based on the memoir of the same name from author Steve Stoliar, who is co-writing the film, and tells the story of a young man who starts to work for the aging, frail comedian from 1973 to 1977.
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Perhaps most exciting for film fans is the cast for the new feature. “Raised Eyebrows” is set to star Geoffrey Rush as Groucho Marx, alongside Sienna Miller and Charlie Plummer. Rush is probably best known for his Oscar-winning role in “Shine,” but has nabbed three more Oscar noms over the years. However, it must be said, the actor has been relatively quiet over the past several years, as he has been the subject of multiple sexual misconduct allegations. So, that’ll be interesting to watch, as the actor will no doubt have to deal with that backlash.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor and a responsibility and probably something else to work with this amazing cast on a story I hope will reintroduce the genius of Groucho Marx in a new, provocative, entertaining way all these years later,” Moverman said. “Steve Stoliar has given the world incredible insight into a bygone era. Done right, we will screw it up royally.”
Moverman is known as one of the best screenwriters working today. He’s also no slouch behind the camera, having directed features such as “The Messenger,” “Rampart,” “Time Out of Mind,” and “The Dinner.” “The Messenger,” in fact, earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Producer Miranda Bailey added, “After many years diligently working to get Steve’s brilliant, true story adapted for the screen, I’m thrilled that we found the perfect ensemble of actors to portray these rich yet complicated characters that Oren will, no doubt, masterfully bring to life. Even in a world that tells us ‘never meet your idols,’ Steve’s friendship with Groucho Marx, while filled with moments of heartbreaking humanity, proved to be an overwhelmingly positive and life-changing experience for him — an essence we hope to capture for our audience.”
It’s obviously still too early to know a release date for “Raised Eyebrows,” but regardless, the film seems like one that will have a lot of folks interested.