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
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
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
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
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.