In a 60-year career that’s seen him turn up in key supporting roles in hits like “Alien,” “Top Gun,” and “M*A*S*H*,” Tom Skerritt finally gets a starring role in a movie.
The acclaimed actor is front-and-center in “East of the Mountains,” playing a retired heart surgeon who keeps his terminal cancer diagnosis a secret from his daughter and bottles up his emotions after the death of his wife. He drives into the Cascade Mountains of Washington, alone except for his dog and a shotgun, determined to take his own life while he’s out in the wilderness. Soon into the fateful journey, his car breaks down and strands him, but the kindness of strangers and memories of his childhood rescue him in more ways than one. The film was an endurance test for the 88-year old Skerritt. It’s also, amazingly, the first time the character actor has played...
The acclaimed actor is front-and-center in “East of the Mountains,” playing a retired heart surgeon who keeps his terminal cancer diagnosis a secret from his daughter and bottles up his emotions after the death of his wife. He drives into the Cascade Mountains of Washington, alone except for his dog and a shotgun, determined to take his own life while he’s out in the wilderness. Soon into the fateful journey, his car breaks down and strands him, but the kindness of strangers and memories of his childhood rescue him in more ways than one. The film was an endurance test for the 88-year old Skerritt. It’s also, amazingly, the first time the character actor has played...
- 10/1/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran character actors rarely get the chance to shine in a leading film role, especially in the twilight of their careers. Which makes it a special treat to see Tom Skerritt seize the opportunity and run with it in this adaptation of David Guterson’s best-selling 1999 novel East of the Mountains. Playing a terminally ill man intent on ending his life on his own terms, Skerritt delivers the sort of late-career defining performance that serves as an overdue reminder of the terrific work he’s been delivering for nearly six decades.
The 88-year-old actor — his deeply lined face exemplifying ...
The 88-year-old actor — his deeply lined face exemplifying ...
- 9/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
For the last sixty years, few actors have been as reliable an onscreen presence as Tom Skerritt. Bearded-yet-buttoned-up, handsome-yet-approachable, the 88-year-old has built an accomplished career playing sturdy, steadfast leaders. For decades, Skerritt has been the ideal supporting actor—highlights including M*A*S*H, Alien, Top Gun, and A River Runs Through It. His new film, East of the Mountains, provides a plum leading role of which he makes the most.
Skerritt plays Ben Givens, a retired surgeon still mourning the death of his wife. Against the wishes of his only daughter (Mira Sorvino), Ben chooses to go on a days-long hunting trip with his trusty dog Rex as his sole companion. What his daughter doesn’t know (and what nobody else knows) is that Ben has terminal cancer. In the opening scene he produces his father’s old rifle and considers killing himself. This hunting trip is meant to be the final thing.
Skerritt plays Ben Givens, a retired surgeon still mourning the death of his wife. Against the wishes of his only daughter (Mira Sorvino), Ben chooses to go on a days-long hunting trip with his trusty dog Rex as his sole companion. What his daughter doesn’t know (and what nobody else knows) is that Ben has terminal cancer. In the opening scene he produces his father’s old rifle and considers killing himself. This hunting trip is meant to be the final thing.
- 9/22/2021
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
"I'm not sure my health is your business..." Quiver Distribution has unveiled an official trailer for an indie journey into the wilderness film titled East of the Mountains, the latest from filmmaker S.J. Chiro (also of Lane 1974). This first premiered at the Seattle Film Festival earlier this year, and opens in September for those interested. Based on the best-selling novel by David Guterson When retired heart surgeon Ben Givens learns that he has terminal cancer, he takes his beloved dog and heads back to his boyhood home in Eastern Washington, determined to end his life on his own terms. Ben's journey, though, takes an unexpected turn, and becomes an adventure against which he pits himself with characteristic stoicism, determination, and wit. Tom Skerritt stars as Ben, with a small cast including Mira Sorvino, Annie Gonzalez, and Wally Dalton. This really isn't the best trailer, but I still think this film...
- 8/20/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
From Alien to Mash to Contact to Harold and Maude to Top Gun, Tom Skerritt has impressed with numerous supporting turns as one of Hollywood’s preeminent character actors. Now, after a career spanning six decades, he’s finally nabbed a leading role in the modern western East of the Mountains. Following a premiere at Seattle International Film Festival earlier this year, it’ll open in theaters on September 24, and we’re pleased to debut the exclusive trailer.
In the S.J. Chiro-directed film, Skerrit plays a retired heart surgeon and recent widower who learns he has terminal cancer. Determined to navigate his final days on his own terms, he travels back to his boyhood home in Eastern Washington with just his dog in tow—but his journey does not go as planned. Based on David Guterson’s best-selling novel, East of the Mountains is shot around the Columbia basin...
In the S.J. Chiro-directed film, Skerrit plays a retired heart surgeon and recent widower who learns he has terminal cancer. Determined to navigate his final days on his own terms, he travels back to his boyhood home in Eastern Washington with just his dog in tow—but his journey does not go as planned. Based on David Guterson’s best-selling novel, East of the Mountains is shot around the Columbia basin...
- 8/18/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Drama based on novel from Snow Falling On Cedars author David Guterson.
Premiere Entertainment Group (Peg) will launch Cannes Marché virtual talks at the Cannes Marché next week on drama East Of The Mountains starring Tom Skerritt and Mira Sorvino.
The star of Alien and Top Gun plays a retired heart surgeon with terminal cancer who gets involved in an adventure when he takes his dog back to his boyhood home in eastern Washington to end life on his own terms.
Sorvino, whse credits include Mighty Aphrodite and The Replacement Killers, plays the daughter who isn’t told of her father’s cancer.
Premiere Entertainment Group (Peg) will launch Cannes Marché virtual talks at the Cannes Marché next week on drama East Of The Mountains starring Tom Skerritt and Mira Sorvino.
The star of Alien and Top Gun plays a retired heart surgeon with terminal cancer who gets involved in an adventure when he takes his dog back to his boyhood home in eastern Washington to end life on his own terms.
Sorvino, whse credits include Mighty Aphrodite and The Replacement Killers, plays the daughter who isn’t told of her father’s cancer.
- 7/2/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Quiver Distribution has acquired “East of the Mountains,” starring beloved veteran secondary actor Tom Skerritt, seen in “Alien,” “Top Gun,” and “Mash,” in his first lead role where he plays opposite Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite”) and Annie González (“Gentefied”).
Directed by S.J. Chiro (“Lane 1974”), produced by Jane Charles (“Sold”), and written by Thane Swigart (“Furious Angel”), “East of the Mountains” is based on a best-selling novel by David Guterson, author of “Snow Falling on Cedars.”
Quiver distributes to worldwide audiences via VOD retailers like iTunes, Google Play, and Netflix. It has scored some success from theatrical distribution in the U.S. – such as on the summer drive-in release of Kevin James genre movie “Becky,” and “Crisis,” starring Gary Oldman and Evangeline, which it opened in theaters on Feb. 26 nursing to the No. 1 spot in independent box office charts.
For “East of the Mountains,” Quiver plans a Sept.
Directed by S.J. Chiro (“Lane 1974”), produced by Jane Charles (“Sold”), and written by Thane Swigart (“Furious Angel”), “East of the Mountains” is based on a best-selling novel by David Guterson, author of “Snow Falling on Cedars.”
Quiver distributes to worldwide audiences via VOD retailers like iTunes, Google Play, and Netflix. It has scored some success from theatrical distribution in the U.S. – such as on the summer drive-in release of Kevin James genre movie “Becky,” and “Crisis,” starring Gary Oldman and Evangeline, which it opened in theaters on Feb. 26 nursing to the No. 1 spot in independent box office charts.
For “East of the Mountains,” Quiver plans a Sept.
- 6/24/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and Rory Culkin are set for supporting roles opposite lead AnnaSophia Robb, and Hannah Murray and Michael Gaston (The Man in the High Castle) will recur in Emma, a scripted horror series for Quibi.
Produced by Dark Castle Entertainment and Propagate, Emma follows the dark journey of a young woman (Robb) down on her luck and pregnant under mysterious circumstances. She must deal with the increasingly disturbing effects of her pregnancy and the potential conspiracy surrounding it.
Character details are being kept under wraps. The series is currently in production.
Mary Harron (Alias Grace) directs and co-executive produces. Emma is written by Ben Ketai, who also executive produces alongside Alex Mace and Hal Sadoff with Dark Castle Entertainment and Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, Greg Lipstone and Rodney Ferrell with Propagate.
Produced by Dark Castle Entertainment and Propagate, Emma follows the dark journey of a young woman (Robb) down on her luck and pregnant under mysterious circumstances. She must deal with the increasingly disturbing effects of her pregnancy and the potential conspiracy surrounding it.
Character details are being kept under wraps. The series is currently in production.
Mary Harron (Alias Grace) directs and co-executive produces. Emma is written by Ben Ketai, who also executive produces alongside Alex Mace and Hal Sadoff with Dark Castle Entertainment and Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, Greg Lipstone and Rodney Ferrell with Propagate.
- 11/19/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Seann William Scott’s “Already Gone” and “High Strung: Free Dance” get releases, and Tom Skerritt, Mira Sorvino and Chloe Coleman get cast.
Acquisition
Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to the Seann William Scott road drama “Already Gone,” executive produced by Keanu Reeves, Variety has learned exclusively.
Christopher Kenneally directed from his own script with Rainmaker Films producing. The film, which also stars Shiloh Fernandez, Justine Skye and Tyler Dean Flores, will be released in theaters and on demand on Aug. 16.
Flores plays a lonely teenager in Coney Island who uses his graffiti to escape from his abusive stepfather, portrayed by Scott. The teenager is in love with his stepfather’s girlfriend and they flee together to Colorado after the stepfather tries to pimp her out.
The film is produced by Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Productions, Russell Geyser of RainMaker Films,...
Acquisition
Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to the Seann William Scott road drama “Already Gone,” executive produced by Keanu Reeves, Variety has learned exclusively.
Christopher Kenneally directed from his own script with Rainmaker Films producing. The film, which also stars Shiloh Fernandez, Justine Skye and Tyler Dean Flores, will be released in theaters and on demand on Aug. 16.
Flores plays a lonely teenager in Coney Island who uses his graffiti to escape from his abusive stepfather, portrayed by Scott. The teenager is in love with his stepfather’s girlfriend and they flee together to Colorado after the stepfather tries to pimp her out.
The film is produced by Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Productions, Russell Geyser of RainMaker Films,...
- 6/13/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar and Golden Globe winner Mira Sorvino and Emmy winning actor Tom Skerritt have been tapped to star in a film adaption of the East of the Mountains novel by David Guterson, who wrote the screenplay with Thane Swigart. Sj Chiro (Lane 1974) is directing the piece, which is slated to go before cameras in Seattle and Columbia Plateau in eastern Washington this month.
The story follows a retired heart surgeon and recent widower Ben Givens (Skerritt), who has recently learned he has terminal cancer. Determined to end his life on his own terms, Ben leaves his daughter (Sorvino) behind and sets off on a journey into Washington State’s Columbia Basin, where the people he meets, and the events that unfold, compel him further into life even in the face of death.
Guterson, Jane Charles, Mischa Jakupcak, and Jennessa West are producing East of the Mountains with Stephen G. Hall...
The story follows a retired heart surgeon and recent widower Ben Givens (Skerritt), who has recently learned he has terminal cancer. Determined to end his life on his own terms, Ben leaves his daughter (Sorvino) behind and sets off on a journey into Washington State’s Columbia Basin, where the people he meets, and the events that unfold, compel him further into life even in the face of death.
Guterson, Jane Charles, Mischa Jakupcak, and Jennessa West are producing East of the Mountains with Stephen G. Hall...
- 6/12/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In 'Top of the Lake', a young girl takes her fate into her own hands by walking into a beautiful lake among the mists of New Zealand's most stunning landscape. Brutish, unreconstructed men come into contact with wounded but defiant women. There is currently no happiness, only mystery. Jane Campion's back in business.
'Top of the Lake' marks Jane Campion's return to form for the small screen
The good news is the distinctive filmmaker has joined the merry throng of big names who've realised that the most creative, satisfying work is to be found in the world of television, and brought us a drama set among the swirling mists of her native New Zealand's South Island. Of course, 't'hey're' already asking if this will do for Queenstown what The Killing's done for Denmark...
Elisabeth Moss ('Mad Men', 'West Wing') is a detective...
'Top of the Lake' marks Jane Campion's return to form for the small screen
The good news is the distinctive filmmaker has joined the merry throng of big names who've realised that the most creative, satisfying work is to be found in the world of television, and brought us a drama set among the swirling mists of her native New Zealand's South Island. Of course, 't'hey're' already asking if this will do for Queenstown what The Killing's done for Denmark...
Elisabeth Moss ('Mad Men', 'West Wing') is a detective...
- 7/15/2013
- by Caroline Frost
- Huffington Post
?Snow Falling on Cedars?, written by David Guterson, adapted for the stage by Kevin McKeon, and directed by Kevin McKeon is set to be presented by Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (Cats) March 18 - April 10, 2010, at the Nevada Theatre. Auditions for the show will take place on Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Callbacks by invitation: Monday, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.. Auditions are set to be hled at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City. Rehearsals will commence on February 8, 2010.
- 10/18/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
?Snow Falling on Cedars?, written by David Guterson, adapted for the stage by Kevin McKeon, and directed by Kevin McKeon is set to be presented by Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (Cats) March 18 - April 10, 2010, at the Nevada Theatre. Auditions for the show will take place on Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Callbacks by invitation: Monday, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.. Auditions are set to be hled at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City. Rehearsals will commence on February 8, 2010.
- 10/17/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
?Snow Falling on Cedars?, written by David Guterson, adapted for the stage by Kevin McKeon, and directed by Kevin McKeon is set to be presented by Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (Cats) March 18 - April 10, 2010, at the Nevada Theatre. Auditions for the show will take place on Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Callbacks by invitation: Monday, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.. Auditions are set to be hled at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City. Rehearsals will commence on February 8, 2010.
- 7/13/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
At one point or another, everybody wants to get away from it all. But there are levels; one man's long walk on the beach is another man's faked-death journey into isolation and backwoods survival. There's a romance to the latter that comes hand-in-glove with its arrogance, a lure of simplification that implies freedom and a rejection of social responsibility. The journeys of individuals like Christopher McCandless (the real-life protagonist of Into The Wild) invite contempt and admiration in equal measure, but whether they're demonized or worshipped, the questions they raise remain. What would drive someone to leave everything behind for isolation, discomfort, and death? And just how broken does society have to become before such a choice seems like the only sane response? In his new novel, The Other, David Guterson (Snow Falling On Cedars) attempts to address these issues through the story of two young men going in...
- 6/26/2008
- by Zack Handlen
- avclub.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.