Curtis Hanson | |
|---|---|
 Hanson at the 2007Tribeca Festival | |
| Born | Curtis Lee Hanson (1945-03-24)March 24, 1945 Reno, Nevada, U.S. |
| Died | September 20, 2016(2016-09-20) (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1970–2012 |
| Notable work | |
Curtis Lee Hanson (March 24, 1945 – September 20, 2016) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. Born inReno, Nevada, Hanson grew up inLos Angeles. After dropping out of high school, Hanson worked as photographer and editor forCinema magazine. In the 1970s, Hanson participated as a writer for the horror filmThe Dunwich Horror (1970) and made his directorial debut theB-MovieSweet Kill (1973), where he lacked creative control to fulfill his vision. While Hanson continued directing, he rose to prominence screenwriting critically acclaimed films such asThe Silent Partner (1978),White Dog (1982), andNever Cry Wolf (1983).
After working on projects that kept him unsatisfied, he decided that he should write and direct thriller films based on the success ofThe Silent Partner. Hence, he followed up withThe Bedroom Window (1987) where his writing and directing finally came to merge. By this point, his body of work made an impression on screenwriterDavid Koepp, who was convinced that he could handle the directorial duties for his script, which led toBad Influence (1990). Finally he directedThe Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), which was both a critical and commercial success.
Moving forward he directed the thrillerThe River Wild (1994), which grossed $94.2 million. Afterwards, he directed the acclaimedneo-noir crime filmL.A. Confidential (1997) earning him theAcademy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as nominations forBest Picture andBest Director. The film was also nominated for thePalme d'Or at the1997 Cannes Film Festival and is preserved by theLibrary of Congress in theNational Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
His next directorial effort was the critically acclaimed comedy-dramaWonder Boys (2000). Then came the hip-hop drama8 Mile (2002), starring rapperEminem and based on his life experiences. The film was a triumph with critics and at the box-office grossing $242.9 million. Finally the romantic comedyIn Her Shoes (2005), was also critically acclaimed and a financial success.
Prior to his 2014 retirement, due to poor health, Hanson directedLucky You (2007), andChasing Mavericks (2012), both had troubled productions and the final results did not come near his previous critical and financial accomplishments. Hanson's last significant directorial effort was theHBO television filmToo Big to Fail (2011) receiving nominations for thePrimetime Emmy Award forOutstanding Limited Series or Movie andOutstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie. Hanson died of natural causes in 2016.
Hanson was born inReno, Nevada, and grew up inLos Angeles.[1] He was the son of Beverly June Curtis, a real estate agent, and Wilbur Hale "Bill" Hanson, a teacher.[2][3][4] Hanson dropped out of high school, finding work as a freelance photographer and editor forCinema magazine.[5]
In 1970, Hanson is listed among the writers ofDaniel Haller'sThe Dunwich Horror, a film adaptation ofH.P. Lovecraft'sshort story.[6]
In 1973, Hanson wrote and directed his first feature,Sweet Kill starringTab Hunter.[7] The film came about when Hanson approached the executive producerRoger Corman about the possibility of writing and directing a film for him. Corman replied he might also be interested in a modern horror film along the lines ofPsycho (1960).[8][9] Hanson wrote the script originally with the killer as a female. Corman liked it but felt it was "a little too different" for the killer to be female so asked she be turned male.[10][11] According to Hanson, the film cost $130,000 and Corman was supposed to put up two-thirds of the money. After Corman decided to only put up a third, Hanson said "I went to my parents and persuaded them to put a mortgage on their home in order to finance this film."[9] After creative interference from Corman, Hanson later described the experience as a "very unhappy" one.[10]
That same year, Hanson, with the pseudonym Edward Collins, shot a film calledAnd God Bless Grandma and Grandpa. Producer Peter S. Traynor wanted to shoot new scenes. Which he did with actorDean Jagger, in 1974, who played a character named "Dr. Shagetz." It was renamedGod Bless Dr. Shagetz. In 1975, a litigation started between Traynor and the film's financial investors. It is rumored that with the nameGod Bless Dr. Shagetz, it had limited released in 1977. In 1983, a producer namedMardi Rustam, bought the films rights and shot new footage. In 1985, Rusham's version was released as a direct to video title nameEvil Town.[12]
In 1978, Hanson wrote and was an associate producer forDaryl Duke's Canadian filmThe Silent Partner.[13] The film came about when Hanson was being asked to direct b-level picture and decided to write something more ambitious. He said that "The Silent Partner was a film I wrote on spec. I was hoping to direct it but I didn't get the opportunity. But I ended up finishing the movie. I was brought back by the producers to do a week of pick-up shots and all of the post-production.[9]The Silent Partner did well in Canada both critically and financially, winning severalCanadian Film Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.[14][15] The film was asleeper upon its US release, with Brendon Hanley of the film databaseAllmovie noting that the film"...stands out as one of the best sleepers of the late '70s".[16]
In 1980, Hanson directedThe Little Dragons starringChris andPat Petersen.[17]
In 1982, Hanson was among the screenwriters ofSamuel Fuller'sWhite Dog. The film depicts the struggle of a dog trainer named Keys, who is black, trying to retrain a stray dog trained to make vicious attacks upon, and to kill, any black person.[18]White Dog was a 1970 novel,[19] whose story was purchased for use by Paramount in 1975, with Hanson selected to write the screenplay andRoman Polanski hired to direct. Before shooting commenced, Polanski hadlegal problems, leaving the production in limbo.[20] Over a span of six years, the project was given to various writers and producers.[20][21] By 1981, Hanson, back on board as the film's screenwriter, suggested thatSamuel Fuller be named the film's director as he felt Fuller was the only one available with the experience needed to complete the film on short notice, while still doing so responsibly with regard to the sensitive material.[20][21] The film was praised by critics, particularly for its treatment of racism and Fuller's directorial talents.[19][22][23]
In 1982, Hanson directedLosin' It, a teen-comedy starringTom Cruise, about teenagers going to Tijuana to visit a brothel.[24] Hanson explains that it was "not a happy experience. A picture I'm proud of the work we all did, but it was again taken away, retitled, re-edited and music was stuck in I didn't like."[11] The film received negative reviews from critics. It has an 18% score onRotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews.[25] It opened in 180 theaters in New York and Los Angeles, opening with $437,257 for the weekend; it grossed $1,246,141 domestically.[25]
That same year he was credited among the writers ofCarroll Ballard'sNever Cry Wolf.[26] The review aggregation websiteRotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 100% based on reviews from eighteen critics, with an average rating of 7.7 out of 10.[27] The film grossed in the US $27,668,764.[28]
In 1986, Hanson directed themade-for-televisioncrimedrama filmThe Children of Times Square.[29]
In 1987, Hanson directedThe Bedroom Window starringSteve Guttenberg,Isabelle Huppert, andElizabeth McGovern.[30] The film came about, while Hanson was only offered teen-comedies afterLosin' It and wanted to accomplish something likeThe Silent Partners.[9] He explains that, when he read the novelThe Witness byAnne Holden and tried to get the film rights. Already bought by Paramount, Hanson made a deal with them. Hanson says McGovern was his "only choice" for the part of Denise. Hanson decided to cast French actress Huppert for a part of an American character, who felt she added sophistication to the role. Hanson says Guttenberg was not his first choice for the lead but rather a suggestion by producerDino De Laurentiis, due to his popularity in comedies. Hanson agreed to cast Guttenberg, when he saw the actor's enthusiasm, and his eagerness to escape typecast.[31] Upon its original release, the film received mixed reviews from other film critics.[32][33][34] As of April 2021, the film holds a 70% rating onRotten Tomatoes with the consensus: "A likable cast and mostly solid story..."[35] Of the film Hanson concluded "that was the one where my writing and directing finally merged."[9]
In 1990, Hanson directedBad Influence, starringRob Lowe andJames Spader.[36] Hanson stated that the film bears similarities to his earlier movies,The Silent Partner andThe Bedroom Window. He said all are about a "character who takes a step out of line. In these pictures the guy is very guilty ... and his guilt gets him in deeper and deeper. Because he's guilty he pays a terrible price, but we feel better because he paid that price and he ends up with a strict moral code he didn't have at the start of the picture."[37] He explained that he got the directing duties because screenwriterDavid Koepp "was a big fan of a picture I had written calledThe Silent Partner. When he wroteBad Influence, which actually had elements in it that were kind of inspired byThe Silent Partner, I think this is something David would be the first to say himself, the people who financed the movie were going, "Who should we get to direct this?" As it happened, one of them was a big fan ofThe Bedroom Window and said, "Well, what about that guy?" and David went, "That's a great idea!"[11] During rehearsals, a sex scandal story broke about Lowe. "I don't believe in the theory that any publicity is good," said Hanson. "For Rob's sake and the picture's sake, I wish it had never happened. The story broke shortly before rehearsals and my reaction was completely selfish. I kept wondering, 'How does this affect the movie? How does it affect his performance?' It was like a carnival atmosphere around him."[38] Hanson said of the final result that "Bad Influence is a movie that I'm very proud of, actually. It was the first movie where I was pretty much, within the confines of budget and obvious considerations like that, I was pretty much able to follow through with this all the way to the end including the choice of music, right down to the end."[11]Bad Influence received mixed to positive reviews from critics. It holds a 65% rating onRotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews.[39]
In 1992 Hanson directedThe Hand That Rocks the Cradle[40] starringRebecca De Mornay andAnnabella Sciorra. The film opened on January 10, 1992, and grossed $7.7 million in its opening weekend.[41] The film lasted at #1 for four consecutive weeks and by the end of its run earned $88 million in the United States and Canada[42][43] and $52 million internationally,[44] for a worldwide total of $140 million.
In 1994, Hanson directed the adventure filmThe River Wild starringMeryl Streep,Kevin Bacon, andDavid Strathairn.[45] It grossed $94,216,343 worldwide, earning $46,816,343 in the United States and Canada and $47,400,000 internationally.[46]
In 1997, Hanson directed the noir filmL.A. Confidential.[47] Prior to the Warner Brothers acquisition of theJames Ellroy novelL.A. Confidential, and his hiring as a writer and director, Hanson had been a long-time fan of the author. Regarding Ellroy's characters, Hanson said "What hooked me on them was that, as I met them, one after the other, I didn't like them — but as I continued reading, I started to care about them." Ellroy's novel also made Hanson think about Los Angeles and provided him with an opportunity to "set a movie at a point in time when the whole dream of Los Angeles, from that apparently golden era of the '20s and '30s, was being bulldozed."
Hanson was subsequently joined by screenwriterBrian Helgeland who had lobbied to be its writer prior to the hiring of Hanson. They worked on the script together for two years, with Hanson turning down jobs and Helgeland writing seven drafts for free. Relatively unknown Australian actorsRussell Crowe andGuy Pearce were cast in leading roles, Hanson explained that he wanted to "replicate my experience of the book. You don't like any of these characters at first, but the deeper you get into their story, the more you begin to sympathize with them. I didn't want actors audiences knew and already liked."[48] Hanson explained that due to the success ofThe Hand That Rocks the Cradle andThe River Wild, he was "able for the first time to initiate a picture that was a personal project from the get go. Not only initiate it, but follow through with the making of it in the way that I wanted to."[49]L.A. Confidential was a critical and commercial success. It grossed $126 million against a $35 million budget and received acclaim from critics, with praise for the acting, writing, directing, editing, andJerry Goldsmith's musical score.[50][51] It was nominated for nineAcademy Awards, includingBest Picture, winning two:Best Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger) andBest Adapted Screenplay. In 2015, theLibrary of Congress selectedL.A. Confidential for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[52][53][54]
In 2000 Hanson directedWonder Boys, a comedy drama starringMichael Douglas andTobey Maguire.[55] ActressElizabeth McGovern advised Hanson to work with screenwriterSteve Kloves. When he was given the writer's script forWonder Boys and was told that Michael Douglas was interested in starring, he "fell in love with these characters – and they made me laugh."[56][57] Hanson also identified with the main character and the "thing building up inside him: frustration, hunger, yearning, et cetera."[56] One of the challenges for Hanson was to take a plot that, as he put it, "is meandering and, apparently, sort of aimless," and a character that "does things that even he doesn't really know why he's doing them," and try to create a "feeling of focus" to keep the audience interested.[56] Another challenge the director faced was working in actual locations in very cold weather that was constantly changing.[56] Hanson also consideredRobert Downey Jr., who at the time had legal and personal problems, for a role.[58] Downey met with Hanson where they addressed his problems. The actor demonstrated a commitment to the project and Hanson hired him. Reportedly, Downey acted professionally for the entire shoot.[58] Hanson also contactedDante Spinotti about working on the film in November 1998.[59] In its opening weekend,Wonder Boys opened at No. 7 in the US and Canadian box office and grossed a total of US$5.8 million in 1,253 theaters. It went on to gross $19,393,557 there and $14,033,031 in other countries, for a worldwide total of $33,426,588. Based on a $55 million budget, the film was abox office bomb.[60] The film received largely positive reviews from critics.Rotten Tomatoes reports an 81% rating, based on 125 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. OnMetacritic, the film has a 73 out of 100 score, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[61]
In 2000, Hanson directed the music video "Things Have Changed" byBob Dylan.[citation needed] The song-writer Clinton Heylin wrote "Things Have Changed" to demonstrates a close knowledge of the filmWonder Boys, for which it was written. The lyrics make reference to "dancing lessons", "the jitterbug rag" and dressing "in drag", all of which feature in the plot of the film. Hanson recalled: "I learned that Dylan might be interested in contributing an original song… So when I came back from filming in Pittsburgh, Bob came by the editing room to see some rough cut footage. I told him the story and introduced him to the characters. We talked about Grady Tripp and where he was in life, emotionally and creatively. Weeks later a CD arrived in the mail".[62] For the music video, Hanson intercut footage of Dylan with sequences from the feature film, to suggest that Dylan was interacting with the film's characters.[citation needed]
In 2002, Hanson directed8 Mile a semi-biographicalhip hopdrama film about and starring rapperEminem.[63][additional citation(s) needed] According toPaul Rosenberg (Eminem's manager) bothQuentin Tarantino andDanny Boyle were considered to direct, while Boyle came close, Eminem felt he had a better connection with Hanson.[64] Hanson explained that his bond with Eminem began when they discussed their shared vision for8 Mile. Eminem’s admiration for Hanson’s earlier films,The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) andL.A. Confidential (1997), helped build trust. Hanson noted that Eminem didn’t want a vanity project; instead, he sought to be part of a meaningful film. Initially, Hanson was cautious about casting him, worried that Eminem’s reputation could be a liability. He recalled a remark from actorRussell Crowe, who had previously worked with Hanson, upon hearing about the project: “Good idea, Curtis. But who are you going to get to play Eminem?” highlighting the risk of whether Eminem could carry the film as an actor. Ultimately, Hanson was won over by Eminem’s natural charisma, particularly in his expressive eyes, a quality Hanson described as essential for engaging audiences and carrying the story. Hanson added that Eminem was involved in8 Mile from the project's inception, as writerScott Silver developed the script with him in mind. Early drafts, however, lacked a strong connection toDetroit and set Eminem’s character as a hotel bellboy. Hanson reworked the script to ground it in Detroit’s identity, moving the character to an automotive stamping plant, shifting the timeline to 1995, and adding elements like the local radio station and arson scenes emblematic of the city’s struggles. While Eminem’s input on the script was limited to initial discussions, Hanson collaborated with him closely during rehearsals, particularly on the rap battles, explaining their thematic significance as Eminem crafted lyrics, including the theme song “Lose Yourself.” Hanson emphasized authentic casting, bringing in Detroit locals and fostering a bond among the actors, most of whom were new to film. Their group name, 3 1/3, emerged organically during rehearsals, symbolizing Detroit’s 313 area code and a deeper commentary on identity and unity. For Hanson, the goal was to create an authentic portrayal of this world, finding performers who could fully embody their characters.[65] It received positive reviews, with critics praising the music and Eminem's performance. Review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes reports the film has 75% of 214 professional critics giving a positive review and a rating average of 6.7/10. Also a box office success, it opened at No. 1 in the US with $51.3 million grossed in its opening weekend and an eventual total of $242.9 million worldwide.[66]
Also in 2002, Hanson directedPiddler on the roof an episode of the sitcomGreg the Bunny.[67] Furthermore, he acted inSpike Jonze'sAdaptation.[68]
In 2005, Hanson directed thecomedy dramaIn Her Shoes, starringCameron Diaz andToni Collette.[69]In Her Shoes has received generally positive reviews from critics.Rotten Tomatoes reported that 75% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 164 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The film opened at #3 at the U.S. box office, raking in $10,017,575USD in its first opening weekend.[70] Its worldwide gross totaled $83,697,473.[70]
Hanson wrote, produced and directed the 2007 filmLucky You.[71] He developed the film with his producing partner Carol Fenelon, who was a regular competitor in poker tournaments. Hanson said, "Part of the reason for wanting to make the movie was that the poker world was different, interesting, and we had an affinity for it. But the other part of it was the emotional thing. The skills at the table — and in the movie business — are different from the qualities that you want running your personal life. That single-mindedness, the aggression, the duplicity or bluffing or whatever you want to call it, the lack of sympathy..."[72] The film was initially set for release on December 16, 2005.[73] However, the film sat on the shelf for two years and went through numerous release date changes as Warner Bros. mandated a half-dozen different cuts of the film in response to negative test screenings.[74][72] Opening the same weekend asSpider-Man 3,[75] the film debuted at $2.7 million in ticket sales; the lowest saturated opening week since 1982.[76] It finished its theatrical run with $8,382,477 in total worldwide revenue. The film received generally negative reviews from critics. It holds a 28% approval rating based on 141 reviews onRotten Tomatoes.[77][78]
In 2010, Hanson served as an executive producer forWin-Loss and episode of the television showThree Rivers.[79]
In 2011, Hanson directed the television filmToo Big to Fail, based on the 2009Andrew Ross Sorkin bookof the same name about the beginnings of the2008 financial crisis. The film was produced by Hanson's production company Deuce Three Productions forHBO.[citation needed] The film received 11 nominations at theEmmy Awards, with Hanson being nominated for "Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special" and "Outstanding Miniseries or Movie."[80]
Also in 2011, Hanson producedDavid Frankel's filmThe Big Year.[81]
His last film was to beChasing Mavericks in 2012.[82]Michael Apted received director credit alongside Hanson after he took over as director during the last 15 days of principal photography, while Hanson recovered from complications arising from recent heart surgery.[83] OnRotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 32% based on 81 reviews, with an average rating of 4.90/10. The site's consensus states: "It's sweet, gentle, and affably modest, butChasing Mavericks is ultimately pulled under by an unconvincing script and a puzzling lack of energy."[84]
In 2014, he served as an executive producer for theFX pilotHoke,[85] which wasn't picked up for a series.[86]
Hanson later retired from film work and was reported to havefrontotemporal dementia.[5][87]
Within his career, he was an active member of theDirectors Guild of America, he was a member of the Creative Rights Committee, the President's Committee on Film Preservation, and the Film Foundation.[88]
Hanson had a son named Rio, with his partner Rebecca Yeldham.[89] In 2016, Hanson died of natural causes at hisHollywood Hills home at the age of 71.[5][87] It was later reported that Hanson suffered from a rare terminal condition known asfrontotemporal degeneration which he had been suffering with for "some time".[90] Hanson was unaware of his condition as lack of awareness of the presence of the disease is a symptom in and of itself.[90]
Hanson said that he was heavily influenced by the directorsAlfred Hitchcock andNicholas Ray. In an interview with the New York Times in 2000, Hanson stated that Ray's filmIn a Lonely Place was among many that he watched in preparation for the filming ofL.A. Confidential.[91]
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Sweet Kill | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1980 | The Little Dragons | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1982 | Losin' It | Yes | No | No |
| 1987 | The Bedroom Window | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1990 | Bad Influence | Yes | No | No |
| 1992 | The Hand that Rocks the Cradle | Yes | No | No |
| 1994 | The River Wild | Yes | No | No |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2000 | Wonder Boys | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2002 | 8 Mile | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2005 | In Her Shoes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2007 | Lucky You | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2012 | Chasing Mavericks(withMichael Apted) | Yes | Yes | No |
Other film work
| Year | Title | Producer | Writer | Other | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The Dunwich Horror | No | Yes | No | Co-writer with Henry Rosenbaum and Ronald Silkosky |
| 1978 | The Silent Partner | Associate | Yes | No | |
| 1982 | White Dog | No | Yes | No | Co-writer withSamuel Fuller |
| 1983 | Never Cry Wolf | No | Yes | No | Co-writer withSam Hamm and Richard Kletter |
| 1987 | Evil Town | No | No | Yes | Footage from unfinished filmGod Bless Dr. Shagetz[92] |
| 2002 | Adaptation | No | No | Yes | Cameo |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Yes | No | No |
| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Children of Times Square | Yes | No | Yes | Television film |
| 2002 | Greg the Bunny | Yes | No | No | Episode "Piddler on the Roof" |
| 2010 | Three Rivers | No | Yes | No | Episode "Win–Loss" |
| 2011 | Too Big to Fail | Yes | Yes | No | Television film |
| 2014 | Hoke | No | Yes | No | Pilot |
Over his career he received theAcademy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as nominations for theCannes Film Festival'sPalme d'Or, threeBritish Academy Film Awards, twoGolden Globe Awards, and twoPrimetime Emmy Awards. Hanson became one of the five directors (alongsideQuentin Tarantino,Steven Soderbergh,David Fincher, andBarry Jenkins) to ever sweep "The Big Four" critics awards (LAFCA,NBR,NYFCC,NSFC).[93]
| Year | Title | Academy Awards | BAFTAs | Golden Globes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | ||
| 1994 | The River Wild | 2 | |||||
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | 9 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2000 | Wonder Boys | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 8 Mile | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2005 | In Her Shoes | 1 | |||||
| Total | 13 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 13 | 2 | |
Curtis Hanson's professional papers are held by the Margaret Herrick Library at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California.[96]
