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Welcome to Mooseport

April 12, 2024

Welcome to Mooseport is a 2004 American political satire comedy film directed by Donald Petrie, and starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman in his final film role. It was filmed in Jackson's Point, Ontario and Port Perry, Ontario.

Welcome to Mooseport
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDonald Petrie
Screenplay byTom Schulman
Story byDoug Richardson
Produced byTom Schulman
Marc Frydman
Basil Iwanyk
Starring
CinematographyVictor Hammer
Edited byDebra Neil-Fisher
Music byJohn Debney
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • February 20, 2004 (2004-02-20) (United States)
  • July 22, 2004 (2004-07-22) (Germany)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United States
  • Germany
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million[2]
Box office$14.6 million[2]

Plot edit

Former President of the United States Monroe "Eagle" Cole retires to his vacation home in the town of Mooseport, Maine, to escape from his ex-wife Charlotte. Harold "Handy" Harrison is the town's local hardware store owner and plumber. Handy’s job keeps him so busy that he has neglected his relationship with his girlfriend and the town veterinarian Sally Mannis, who is on the verge of dumping him.

After the death of the town mayor, the town council decides to approach former president Cole about running for the office. Cole agrees because, if he is mayor, his Mooseport house can serve as his office and, therefore, can no longer be divided up or sold off in his divorce settlement. As a surprise to Cole, Handy’s name has also been entered into the race. When Harrison finds out Cole is running, he decides to withdraw, until he witnesses Cole make a pass at Sally. Handy believes that, by becoming mayor, he can show Sally he is a mature decision maker and win back her heart.

Tempers rise following the arrival of Cole's ex-wife and campaign spoiler Charlotte. Cole's team, led by long-time executive secretary Grace Sutherland and presidential aide Will Bullard, bring in strong support in the form of campaign strategist Bert Langdon, who is looking for excitement since Cole's retirement. As the campaigns progress, Cole and Handy both become obsessed with winning the race at all costs, although Handy refuses to resort to cheating. Cole realizes that in all his years of campaigning this may be his toughest as he is taking on a genuinely honest everyman.

On the night before the election, both candidates urge the voters to vote for the other candidate by saying that neither of them will vote for themselves. Handy keeps his promise, but Cole votes for himself. Upon the revelation that Cole won by one vote, his conscience gets the better of him and he concedes the match to Handy. However, Handy lies that he voted for himself as well, and declines office, making Cole end up as mayor. Handy later reveals to Sally that he conceded the election because Cole needs the mayorship more than he does and that all he really wanted was to propose marriage to her, which he does. As Handy is proposing to Sally, Monroe also proposes to Grace. Bert tells Handy that he ran an excellent campaign and offers to be his campaign manager for Governor of Maine, which Handy shows some interest in when he realizes a governor has certain authority over mayors.

Cast edit

Production edit

In October 2002, it was announced that Ray Romano and Dustin Hoffman were in negotiations to star in the Rod Lurie directed comedy Mooseport and written by Tom Schulman for Intermedia Films.[3]

In February 2003, it was announced Lurie had exited the film and negotiations with Hoffman had broken down leaving Romano still attached and Donald Petrie stepping in to take over for Lurie.[4] The following March, it was announced that Gene Hackman had been cast opposite Romano.[5]

Reception edit

Box office edit

The film opened theatrically on February 20, 2004, in 2,868 venues, earning $6,775,132 and ranking fourth in the domestic box office.[6] The film ended its run twelve weeks later on May 13, 2004, having grossed $14,470,947 domestically and $144,152 overseas, for a worldwide total of $14,615,099. Based on a $30 million budget, the film was a box office bomb.[2]

Critical response edit

Welcome to Mooseport received generally negative reviews from critics. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 13% score, based on 144 critics, with an average rating of 4.2/10. The site's consensus states: "A bland comedy that squanders a talented cast."[7] On Metacritic, the film holds a 33 out of 100 rating, based on 36 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[8]

James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying that "Welcome to Mooseport's satirical edge is dull and pitted, the screenplay is overlong and uninteresting, the comedy is soft and shapeless, and the actors perform like they're on a sitcom. There's not a whole lot to like about Welcome to Mooseport, and, considering how lively real politics can be these days, you're likely to get more entertainment from watching two hours of CSPAN."[9] William Arnold of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer complimented Hackman's "detailed, delightful, comic performance that never quite disintegrates into caricature", but wrote that "the quality of the writing is nowhere near the standard of Hackman's performance, and the movie around him (...) too often substitutes sight gags involving geriatric nudity and fornicating canines for wit." In addition, Arnold felt that Ray Romano "just doesn't have the stuff to bring off a role that requires a Jimmy Stewart or Tom Hanks. He's supposed to be overshadowed by his nemesis, of course, but Hackman chews him up and spits him out so effectively that the movie is glaringly lopsided."[10] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film three out of four stars, writing: "Whether the movie works or not depends on the charm of the actors. Hackman could charm the chrome off a trailer hitch. Romano is more of the earnest, aw-shucks, sincere, well-meaning kind of guy whose charm is inner and only peeks out occasionally. They work well together here, and Tierney does a heroic job of playing a character who doesn't know how the story will end, when everybody else, in the cast and in the audience, has an excellent idea."[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "Welcome to Mooseport (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. March 4, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Welcome to Mooseport (2004)". Box Office Mojo. May 13, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Topliners goose 'Moose'". Variety. October 15, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "Fox gooses 'Moose' with Petrie". Variety. February 27, 2003. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Hackman topping 'Moose' ticket". Variety. March 16, 2003. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  6. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for February 20-22, 2004". Box Office Mojo. February 23, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  7. ^ "Welcome to Mooseport (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  8. ^ "Welcome to Mooseport reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  9. ^ Berardinelli, James. "Welcome to Mooseport". ReelViews. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Arnold, William (February 20, 2004). "Hackman shreds Romano's performance in cheesy 'Mooseport'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  11. ^ Ebert, Roger (February 20, 2004). "Welcome to Mooseport". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 13, 2017.

External links edit

April 12, 2024
welcome, mooseport, 2004, american, political, satire, comedy, film, directed, donald, petrie, starring, romano, gene, hackman, final, film, role, filmed, jackson, point, ontario, port, perry, ontario, theatrical, release, posterdirected, bydonald, petriescree. Welcome to Mooseport is a 2004 American political satire comedy film directed by Donald Petrie and starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman in his final film role It was filmed in Jackson s Point Ontario and Port Perry Ontario Welcome to MooseportTheatrical release posterDirected byDonald PetrieScreenplay byTom SchulmanStory byDoug RichardsonProduced byTom SchulmanMarc FrydmanBasil IwanykStarringRay Romano Gene Hackman Marcia Gay Harden Maura Tierney Christine Baranski Rip TornCinematographyVictor HammerEdited byDebra Neil FisherMusic byJohn DebneyProductioncompanyIntermedia FilmsDistributed by20th Century FoxRelease datesFebruary 20 2004 2004 02 20 United States July 22 2004 2004 07 22 Germany Running time110 minutes 1 CountriesUnited States GermanyLanguageEnglishBudget 30 million 2 Box office 14 6 million 2 Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Reception 4 1 Box office 4 2 Critical response 5 References 6 External linksPlot editFormer President of the United States Monroe Eagle Cole retires to his vacation home in the town of Mooseport Maine to escape from his ex wife Charlotte Harold Handy Harrison is the town s local hardware store owner and plumber Handy s job keeps him so busy that he has neglected his relationship with his girlfriend and the town veterinarian Sally Mannis who is on the verge of dumping him After the death of the town mayor the town council decides to approach former president Cole about running for the office Cole agrees because if he is mayor his Mooseport house can serve as his office and therefore can no longer be divided up or sold off in his divorce settlement As a surprise to Cole Handy s name has also been entered into the race When Harrison finds out Cole is running he decides to withdraw until he witnesses Cole make a pass at Sally Handy believes that by becoming mayor he can show Sally he is a mature decision maker and win back her heart Tempers rise following the arrival of Cole s ex wife and campaign spoiler Charlotte Cole s team led by long time executive secretary Grace Sutherland and presidential aide Will Bullard bring in strong support in the form of campaign strategist Bert Langdon who is looking for excitement since Cole s retirement As the campaigns progress Cole and Handy both become obsessed with winning the race at all costs although Handy refuses to resort to cheating Cole realizes that in all his years of campaigning this may be his toughest as he is taking on a genuinely honest everyman On the night before the election both candidates urge the voters to vote for the other candidate by saying that neither of them will vote for themselves Handy keeps his promise but Cole votes for himself Upon the revelation that Cole won by one vote his conscience gets the better of him and he concedes the match to Handy However Handy lies that he voted for himself as well and declines office making Cole end up as mayor Handy later reveals to Sally that he conceded the election because Cole needs the mayorship more than he does and that all he really wanted was to propose marriage to her which he does As Handy is proposing to Sally Monroe also proposes to Grace Bert tells Handy that he ran an excellent campaign and offers to be his campaign manager for Governor of Maine which Handy shows some interest in when he realizes a governor has certain authority over mayors Cast editRay Romano as Harold Handy Harrison Gene Hackman as Monroe Eagle Cole Marcia Gay Harden as Grace Sutherland Maura Tierney as Dr Sally Mannis Fred Savage as Will Bullard Rip Torn as Bert Langdon Christine Baranski as Charlotte Cole Wayne Robson as Morris Gutman Reagan Pasternak as Mandy Gutman June Squibb as Irma John Rothman as Stu Jayne Eastwood as Lucy Decker Juan Chi Chi Rodriguez as himself Richard Romano as Handy s bar buddy Jon Manfrellotti as Reporter Edward Herrmann uncredited as Avery HightowerProduction editIn October 2002 it was announced that Ray Romano and Dustin Hoffman were in negotiations to star in the Rod Lurie directed comedy Mooseport and written by Tom Schulman for Intermedia Films 3 In February 2003 it was announced Lurie had exited the film and negotiations with Hoffman had broken down leaving Romano still attached and Donald Petrie stepping in to take over for Lurie 4 The following March it was announced that Gene Hackman had been cast opposite Romano 5 Reception editBox office edit The film opened theatrically on February 20 2004 in 2 868 venues earning 6 775 132 and ranking fourth in the domestic box office 6 The film ended its run twelve weeks later on May 13 2004 having grossed 14 470 947 domestically and 144 152 overseas for a worldwide total of 14 615 099 Based on a 30 million budget the film was a box office bomb 2 Critical response edit Welcome to Mooseport received generally negative reviews from critics On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film received a 13 score based on 144 critics with an average rating of 4 2 10 The site s consensus states A bland comedy that squanders a talented cast 7 On Metacritic the film holds a 33 out of 100 rating based on 36 reviews indicating generally unfavorable reviews 8 James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film one and a half stars out of four saying that Welcome to Mooseport s satirical edge is dull and pitted the screenplay is overlong and uninteresting the comedy is soft and shapeless and the actors perform like they re on a sitcom There s not a whole lot to like about Welcome to Mooseport and considering how lively real politics can be these days you re likely to get more entertainment from watching two hours of CSPAN 9 William Arnold of the Seattle Post Intelligencer complimented Hackman s detailed delightful comic performance that never quite disintegrates into caricature but wrote that the quality of the writing is nowhere near the standard of Hackman s performance and the movie around him too often substitutes sight gags involving geriatric nudity and fornicating canines for wit In addition Arnold felt that Ray Romano just doesn t have the stuff to bring off a role that requires a Jimmy Stewart or Tom Hanks He s supposed to be overshadowed by his nemesis of course but Hackman chews him up and spits him out so effectively that the movie is glaringly lopsided 10 Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times awarded the film three out of four stars writing Whether the movie works or not depends on the charm of the actors Hackman could charm the chrome off a trailer hitch Romano is more of the earnest aw shucks sincere well meaning kind of guy whose charm is inner and only peeks out occasionally They work well together here and Tierney does a heroic job of playing a character who doesn t know how the story will end when everybody else in the cast and in the audience has an excellent idea 11 References edit Welcome to Mooseport PG British Board of Film Classification March 4 2004 Retrieved January 21 2016 a b c Welcome to Mooseport 2004 Box Office Mojo May 13 2004 Retrieved January 21 2016 Topliners goose Moose Variety October 15 2002 Retrieved November 26 2022 Fox gooses Moose with Petrie Variety February 27 2003 Retrieved November 26 2022 Hackman topping Moose ticket Variety March 16 2003 Retrieved November 26 2022 Weekend Box Office Results for February 20 22 2004 Box Office Mojo February 23 2004 Retrieved January 21 2016 Welcome to Mooseport 2004 Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved January 21 2016 Welcome to Mooseport reviews Metacritic Retrieved January 21 2016 Berardinelli James Welcome to Mooseport ReelViews Retrieved October 13 2017 Arnold William February 20 2004 Hackman shreds Romano s performance in cheesy Mooseport Seattle Post Intelligencer Retrieved October 13 2017 Ebert Roger February 20 2004 Welcome to Mooseport Chicago Sun Times Retrieved October 13 2017 External links editWelcome to Mooseport at IMDb nbsp Welcome to Mooseport at Box Office Mojo Welcome to Mooseport at Rotten Tomatoes Welcome to Mooseport at Metacritic nbsp Raymond Romano interview for Welcome To Mooseport at the Wayback Machine archived September 29 2007 archived from the original at Moviehole net Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Welcome to Mooseport amp oldid 1186150797, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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