I Am a Patsy

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

"I am a Patsy"

Directed by Alan Parker
Written by Steven Zaillian
Music by Giorgio Moroder

Principal Cast:

Lee Harvey Oswald: Matt Damon
Marina Oswald: Alison Lohman
George de Mohrenschildt: Xander Berkeley
Jeanne Mohrenschildt: Kristen Scott Thomas
Ruth Paine: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Michael Paine: Linus Roache
Jack Ruby: Kevin Pollack
Santo Trafficante: Christopher Walken
Carlos Marcello: Ray Liotta
JD Tippet: Thomas Haden Church

Tagline: To My Friend George, From Lee Oswald

Synopsis: The months leading up to November 22, 1963 George de Mohrenschildt, a worldly and charming oil geologist befriends the troubled Lee Harvey Oswald. Introducing Oswald into the Russian community of Dallas. As Oswald struggles with various jobs and holding onto a secret he cannot tell, organized crime and conspirators set events in motion that will change their friendship, their lives and the nation forever.

What the press would say:

Sometimes the truth is that simple. Director Alan Parker's takes the memoirs of George de Mohrenschildt to life, accompanied with Zaillian's organized crime conspiracy, one more cleaner and realistic than anything Oliver Stone could conjure up. Matt Damon delivers a pitch-perfect and brave performance of Lee Harvey Oswald with a sense of dark passion, alienation and vulnerability. Alison Lohman and Kristen Scott Thomas bring to their women behind the men performances a sense of dedication and understanding. But it's Xander Berkeley's charismatic turn as the wealthy and sociable George de Mohrenschildt that steals the show. He takes in Lee Oswald like a stray puppy, thinking he can save what he believes is a misunderstood, and intelligent soul. Finally breaking out from the supporting character actor mold lost in the background, Berkeley channels a charming nature to a point where you start thinking the events of November 22, 1963 in Dallas Texas won't even take place. But underneath all the hope, lies the inevitable. Christopher Walken delivers a subdued and demanding performance as old school mob boss Santo Trafficante, a supposed mastermind behind one of the scariest events of the 20th century. Forget the conspiracy theories and what you think you believe. The brilliance to this film is in it's character studies. Alan Parker plays the 'good versus evil' better than anyone showing Lee Oswald's downfall as something tragic instead of something pathetic and lost. Dare to watch it and sympathize. The Academy might just do that making it this year's bold and controversial front runner.

Best Picture
Best Director: Alan Parker
Best Actor: Xander Berkeley, Matt Damon
Best Actress: Alison Lohman
Best Supporting Actress: Kristen Scott Thomas
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Walken
Best Adapted Screenplay: Steven Zaillian
Best Score: Giorgio Moroder
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Cinematography