Virginia Film Festival

Barry Levinson’s film adaptation of Philip Roth’s penultimate novel lays bare the dwindling acting career of Simon Axler (Pacino), a 67 year old actor who struggles to remove performance from his personal life. An over-the-top swan dive from the stage lands him a 30-day stint in a psychiatric hospital. Released on the condition that he Skypes weekly with his psychiatrist, he retreats to his secluded Connecticut home where he starts a heated affair with the young Pageen (Gerwig), the lesbian daughter of his old actor friends. Complicated by Pageen’s slew of colorful, jealous exes and their age difference, this tragic comedy explores an actors’ struggle to revitalize himself and his waning career, brought to life by Pacino’s brilliant performance. Discussion with director Barry Levinson

Presented by Regal Entertainment Group