Cast: Edward Norton (also producing), Evan Rachel Wood (thirteen), David Morse, Rory Culkin, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Pena, Muse Watson Writer/Director: David Jacobson (Dahmer) Filming: post production; started Feb 29 in Los Angeles at a budget of $8 million; filming completed in May 2004 Release Date: May 5, 2006 limited release Summary: Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley, the project revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman (Wood). [Hollywood Reporter summary.] Morse plays Wood's father, while Burstyn plays the foster mother of Norton's character. Additional Info:"Down in the Valley" was part of the Sundance Institute's annual screenwriting lab. Official site: downinthevalleyfilm.com (U.S. release), UK official site downinthevalley.jp (Japan), France official site .

Image Gallery

Production Notes

Video Clips

Pre-order Down in the Valley DVD

News

Sep 14 2006 The film will be available on DVD on September 26. According to THINKFilm (the film's distributor), the special features include: Filmmaker and actor Q&A, Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer, etc.

Considering how much preparation time and work EN puts into his films, I'm always a little disappointed when a DVD release does not have a commentary track. However, this is an independent film, so I imagine that the limited special features are a matter of budget. At the same time, EN has had a lot to say about the state of independent filmmaking today and a commentary on his first independent film would have been a good forum. Down in The Valley was a product of the Sundance Institute's screenwriting lab. It's surprising to me that the Sundance Institute hasn't done more to spotlight the film as a success story that began under their program (yet another one of my nonproductive tangents). Pre-order Down in the Valley DVD

May 1 2006 MovieWeb has posted some video clips from the film

Apr 28 2006The trailer has now been posted on Down in the Valley official website and on Apple's Movie Trailer site [Thanks to Brent for the info!!!]

Apr 27 2006 The May issue of Interview Magazine with EN and Evan Rachel Wood on the cover is now on the newsstands and the spread on them is huge! Lots of pics and an interview with each. I've posted the scans. May Interview Magazine

RollingStone.com has posted a favorable review of Down in the Valley RollingStone review

Apr 25 2006 THINKFilm's website now includes a new poster (see below). They also have put up Down in the Valley official website (for the U.S. release). It has bios, production notes, a gallery, and a list of dates as to when the film will open in certain cities, where which is invaluable to a limited release. But one thing really bothers me: with less then 10 days to go, the trailer is "Coming Soon". Don't they want to encourage people to see the film? Never fear, the UK site (Icon Films) a trailer posted (it opens there May 26) plus some pics from the film and a weird front pic (see below) that I hope they're not using for the U.K. poster. You can also check out a different trailer at the Japanese Valley site. There is also a French Valley site .

Apr 22 2006 Several articles have come out on EN or the film itself: Total Film May 2006, Baltimore Magazine May 2006, Entertainment Weekly Summer Movie Preview, Total Film June 2006

Apr 16 2006 Also, a new version of the Down in the Valley poster can be found here. This differs from the one from Cannes [Thanks to J for the info!!].

The ThinkFilm official website has a list of dates as to when Down in the Valley will make it to specific theaters (go to Down in the Valley page and click tickets and showtimes section). The film is coming out as a limited release. It looks like May 5th, it will only be in NYC while on May 12th it will start playing more cities, including lucky for me, Baltimore.

Apr 15 2006 The struggle to find a U.S. distributor is the subject of Edward Norton and the Shoot-Out at the Indie Corral

Mar 9 2006 The release date has been pushed back from April 21 to May 5.

Feb 14 2006 Entertainment Weekly reports that the release date is April 21 [Thanks to Justin for the info!!!].

Jan 23 2006 The THINKFilm official website now has the Down in the Valley release date as April 2006. Since this film is going to be a limited release, the date which it will come to your local theater will vary.

Jan 13 2006Just in from the Hollywood Reporter: Down in The Valley has just snagged a distributor. This sounds like a late afternoon deal since the article is dated Jan 14. It will have a limited release in the spring. When we get a more definite release date, I'll post it. The article is below

'Valley' gets pickup from ThinkFilm

NEW YORK -- ThinkFilm has nabbed North American rights to the Edward Norton/Evan Rachel Wood romantic crime drama "Down in the Valley." The film from writer-director David Jacobson will have a limited release in the spring. The Element Films production centers on a disaffected high school senior from the San Fernando Valley (Wood) who encounters a mysterious cowboy type (Norton). The two bond in the face of objections from the girl's sheriff father (David Morse), who is concerned over disparities in their ages and backgrounds. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Edward on this labor-of-love," ThinkFilm head of U.S. theatrical Mark Urman said Friday, referencing Norton's role as a producer. "They're a very daring company and have a great knack for communicating with audiences about challenging films," Norton said of ThinkFilm. The deal was negotiated by ThinkFilm executive vp acquisitions and business affairs Randy Manis and Element Films chief operating officer Marc Schaberg.(Gregg Goldstein)

Jun 10- The Jewish Journal has an article on director David Jacobson. 'Down' on the Valley

Jun 9 - I've posted the Down in the Valley press book which contains a good amount of detail on the making of the film in the Production Notes. It also contains a synopsis which you might chose to avoid altogether since it contains a massive amount of PLOT SPOILERS.

Jun 1- Screen Daily has posted a favorable review.

May 26- There was a press session at Cannes for Down in the Valley. JoBlo has posted a Q&A with EN as well as one with director David Jacobson.

May 24- Another Down in the Valley interview was aired, this time on May 18 on the show "Arte". Unfortunately, there is no video, but Fleur was kind enough to transcribe this interview as well.

"Comment – Telling about the incursion of an ambiguous character inside a Californian family, Down in the Valley disintegrates the American Dream. Modern western, mad cowboy and motherless family are the ingredients of a society that is out of phase with its environment and in which everyone has difficulties to find its place.

David Jacobson – There is not a strong sense of community or society anymore in America. It’s more about the individual and the individual rights. The cowboy is really the body of that.

Edward Norton – America has so much of its identity represented in the ideal of the western mythology. I think that the film examines what has happened to that spirit. You get the strong sensation in the film of people trapped in modernity.

David Jacobson – I’m not someone who wants to argue about the "perfect nuclear family" with husband and wife and three children. But I definitely think there is a lack of parenting - with actual parents but also a social level of parenting, helping children to grow up and sort of learn who they are.

I have my own political take on "is Harlan a good or a bad man?" but I want the viewer to have the ability to struggle with that question: "was he good or was he bad?". In a sense I think that’s a more mature way of seeing the world, to see that kind of complexity and ambiguity."

also May 24- On May 14, there was a panel discussion among filmmakers at Cannes where they talked about making independent films. It was described in the Variety article "Indies: A matter of vision". There was one relevent comment: "And David Jacobson, the director of 'Down in the Valley,' said that his star Ed Norton fully supported the helmer's vision and helped steer the pic through the financial waters."

May 17 PM update - IndieWire's Critic Notebook included the following comment on the film

The truth of a mysterious stranger's identity is also unveiled in David Jacobson's psychological drama "Down in the Valley," a showcase for a topnotch turn from Edward Norton as a charismatic sociopath, ably supported by a glowing Rachel Evan Wood. The film fumbled around interminably, though, in search of its ending.

Tomorrow's Newsday has a story on both Down in the Valley and "The King." Here's an excerpt:

In "Down in the Valley," Jacobson (who debuted with the serial killer bio-pic "Dahmer") gives us Edward Norton as a self-styled South Dakota cowboy whose gift of gab is surpassed only by his shooting and roping skills.

Norton's sensationally seductive performance keeps the film's simmering violence under wraps as his character romances a willful Los Angeles valley girl ("Thirteen's" Evan Rachel Wood) and chums it up with her impressionable younger brother (Rory Culkin) over the objections of their cop father (David Morse).

Things get nasty after a time, but not in ways that you might be able to anticipate. Norton, whose breakout role was as a soft-spoken sociopath in "Primal Fear," has a way with guys whose tender exterior conceals a demon within.

May 17 - The Le Grand Journal video is now online (it sould come through automatically through the link, if not it's labelled "SAMEDI 14 MAI" on the lower left side of the page). EN's appearance lasts the full program (approx 22 minutes) with the major part of the interview conducted at the beginning. Fleur was kind enough to provide a translation of the interview. The interview includes a clip from the film, a confrontation between EN and David Morse in front of Rory Culkin. There is also a clip of Evan Rachel Wood thanking EN which must have been done either before or after the photocall - she is sitting in front of what looks to be a poster of the film, similar to the pic below (from L.A. Film Festival). Le Grand Journal video [Thanks again to Fleur for letting me know about the interview and for providing the translation. Thanks also to Stéphanie for letting me know that they had posted the video]

I checked the entertainment news programs last night and while there was Cannes coverage, not one even mentioned EN or the film. EN was not so lucky in Entertainment Weekly's Cannes 2005: Midway Report, which took a swipe at both the film and the afterparty.

May 16 - EN was a guest on Le Grand Journal Saturday night. EN talked about film and other topics Le Grand Journal EN appearance [Thanks again to Fleur for the English translation!!!]. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to have been a press conference at Cannes for Down in the Valley. So I'm not expecting any in-depth articles to come out post Cannes, unless interviews were given to individual journalists instead of the pack. Variety has this useless story about the premiere afterparty, but it includes a nice pic 'Valley' girls descent on fete. Today's Hollywood Reporter has an article about the market at Cannes. "U.S. distributor response was mixed on several much-anticipated festival titles, including Dominik Moll's 'Lemming,' Atom Egoyan's 'Where the Truth Lies,' Kim Ki-duk's 'The Bow,' Marco Tullio Giordana's 'Once You're Born You Can No Longer Hide' and David Jacobson's Edward Norton starrer 'Down in the Valley.'" HR: Majors' buys boost slow market. Hopefully, the film's fate will be decided soon. I've added more pics from the film to the Gallery. I'll add photos on the Cannes premiere as they become available.

still May 16- I received an email from Vanilla about Peter Salett composing the score. This seemed strange since back in December, Nathan Larson was hired for the job. Sure enough, petersalett.com has it on the main page and when I rechecked the HR review, Salett is credited. Peter Salett previously contributed songs to Keeping the Faith and the Maldonado Miracle (directed by Salma Hayek). Edward interviewed Salett for an Interview Magazine June 2004 article

May 14 PM - The Variety review is more complimentary [although the writer calls Wood's character "Tove" instead of "Tobe" throughout the body of the review]. The review contains some plot points (so be forewarned).

May 14- The first photos are up from the Down in the Valley photocall. Many more photos are sure to come. The first review, from the Hollywood Reporter, has been posted. Unfortunately, it's not too kind. Hopefully, this will be the exception rather than the norm. HR review

May 11- Today's Variety reports that the film will open the Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs June 16-26. The article also includes a new pic

May 5 -The Cannes Film Festival schedule is out. The film will be shown on May 14.

May 4 -Ioncinema.com has posted new pics [Thanks to Eric for the info!!!]

Apr 19- Down in the Valley will be shown out of competition in the "Un Certain Regard" category of the Cannes Film Festival. No word as to whether EN will be able to take time off from filming to appear for the premiere. The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 11-22.

Jan 21- Composer Nathan Larson reported the following on his website nathanlarson.com (updated Jan 2)

"I’ve begun work on a project called DOWN IN THE VALLEY, directed by David Jacobson, produced by and starring Mr. Ed Norton. I suspect this will turn out well. It's got kind of a lyrical, existential modern Western"

Dec 1- Composer Nathan Larson (Dirty Pretty Things) has been hired. Nathan Larson to score Ed Norton vehicle. Also, check out his website nathanlarson.com.

Oct 15- Premiere November 2004 page 36 has an article on the film with info on the development and filming as well as a pic First Look: Down in the Valley. Also, a press release yesterday on one of Element Films's other projects mentions that Valley is (still) in post-production

May 25- Down in the Valley has completed filming and is now in post production [Sources: Variety film production chart (updated May 12), Element Films May 17 press release (on an unrelated project). Thanks to everyone who emailed this info!!!]

EN and Evan Rachel Wood filming Down in the Valley April 7, 2004
Source of above images: Mavrix Photo

Articles

'Valley' girls descent on fete. Variety May 16, 2005

Variety Review: Down in the Valley. Variety, May 15, 2005

Hollywood Reporter Review: Down in the Valley. Hollywood Reporter, May 15, 2005

First Look: Down in the Valley. Premiere Magazine November 2004

Burstyn Rides Into 'Valley' with Norton. Hollywood Reporter April 2, 2004

Players: Bruce Dern, Rory Culkin, David Morse. Variety March 12, 2004

Norton, Wood 'Down' with Jacobson pic. Variety February 2, 2004

Norton, Wood taking indie 'Valley' trip. Hollywood Reporter February 2, 2004

Norton, Wood 'Down' with Jacobson pic

By DANA HARRIS, Variety February 2, 2004

Sundance screenwriting lab script set for Feb. 29 start

Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood will star in "Down in the Valley," to be directed by "Dahmer" helmer David Jacobson.

Element Films will produce and fully finance the project, which Norton will also produce. Budgeted around $8 million, it's set for a Feb. 29 start in Los Angeles.

Written by Jacobson, "Down in the Valley" was part of the Sundance Institute's annual screenwriting lab last June. It's a dark tale that features a father who must contend with his wild child of a teenage daughter and her dangerous boyfriend.

In addition to Norton, pic will be produced by HSI Entertainment's Stavros Mejros and Adam Rosenfelt with Holly Wiersma ("Wonderland"). Element principal Sam Nazarian serves as executive producer.

This is Norton's first picture to be made outside the studio system. He previously produced "Keeping the Faith" and co-produced "The 25th Hour."

Wood, who most recently starred in "Thirteen" and "The Missing," will next be seen opposite Kevin Costner in "The Upside of Anger."

Element is a Samy Boy Entertainment/HSI Entertainment company. Although Element draws some financing from the Louisiana Institute of Film Technology and the Louisiana Economic Development Corp. financing facility LA Squared, this production falls outside that arrangement.

Element also produced "Home of Phobia," which premiered at last month's Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Screening program.

Edward Norton and Evan Rachel Wood are teaming to topline the indie drama "Down in the Valley" for "Dahmer" director David Jacobson. Shooting starts Feb. 29 in Los Angeles, with Element Films -- the combined company of Samy Boy Entertainment and HSI Entertainment -- fully financing. Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley, the project revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman (Wood). Jacobson developed the project -- budgeted at less than $10 million -- at the Sundance Lab. (Chris Gardner)

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