With a team of strong actors, a hilarious script by Erica Beeney, and an evocative soundtrack, directing duo Efram Potelle and Kyle Rankin have hit the nail on the head with THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS. A clever and wonderfully nostalgic coming-of-age movie that does not fail to entertain, it achieves something close to Wes Anderson's brilliant RUSHMORE. Kelly Ernswiler (Shia LaBeouf) is a 17-year-old expert in the art of war, uncomfortable in his own skin except for those shining moments when he is reenacting historic battles or viciously critiquing his poor history teacher for a watered-down understanding of Gettysburg. Kelly is a bundle of thwarted ideas and insights that he chalks up to living with his artist Mom (Kathleen Quinlan), who is short on homemaking skills, and recovering drug addict father (William Sadler), who occasionally invites the local homeless to sleep on their couch. When Kelly becomes the target of a school bully (Billy Kay), his rich-kid friend Bart (Elden Henson) helps him wage a grand-scale counterattack. Even more trouble bubbles up when Kelly develops an inappropriate and obstinate infatuation with Bart's Yale grad-school sister Tabby (Amy Smart). A product of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Project Greenlight, BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS is a unique success due to Potelle's graceful teetering between smart-ass exterior and inner fragility.
Theatrical Release: August 22, 2003 (LA/NY)
Distributor Notes: The Battle Of Shaker Heights
From executive producers Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and producer Chris Moore, THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS is the uniquely funny and touching comedy at the center of HBO's highly entertaining series PROJECT GREENLIGHT. For troubled high school senior Kelly Ernswiler (Shia LaBeouf -- CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE, DISNEY'S HOLES), life is war -- or at least an incredible simulation. With all the difficulties in his real life, Kelly has found just one true escape: Losing himself in fantasy reenactments of World War II's epic battles. Then he strikes up an unlikely friendship with fellow reenactor, preppy Bart Bowland (Elden Henson -- DUMB AND DUMBERER), and Kelly's life is set to explode in ways he never expected! Also starring Amy Smart (ROAD TRIP) and Kathleen Quinlan (APOLLO 13) in a winning cast of Hollywood favorites -- here's your chance to enjoy the final cut of the film millions watched come together in the second hit season of PROJECT GREENLIGHT.
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Executive Producer
Chris Moore:
Review 1:
"...[The filmmakers] create an intriguing character..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.64 12/12/2003
Review 2:
"[With] some nice performances and amusing moments..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.25 12/05/2003
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