Surviving Desire (1991)

Synopsis: Filmed for PBS's American Playhouse, Hal Hartley's one-hour romantic comedy focuses on Jude (Martin Donovan), a Dostoevsky-obsessed English professor whose life is turned upside down when he falls... Filmed for PBS's American Playhouse, Hal Hartley's one-hour romantic comedy focuses on Jude (Martin Donovan), a Dostoevsky-obsessed English professor whose life is turned upside down when he falls head over heels for Sofie (Mary Ward), one of his best students. As Jude negotiates the precarious terrain of their relationship, he seeks the advice of his bookish friend Henry, (Matt Malloy). In one scene, Jude writes "Knowing is not enough" on the chalkboard of his classroom--a statement that concisely sums up the film's central theme. This engaging featurette contains many of Hartley's quirky trademarks, including clipped philosophical discussions and seemingly spontaneous actions--in this case, Donovan's character suddenly breaking into a hilarious silent dance rountine. Also included are Hartley's short films THEORY OF ACHIEVEMENT and AMBITION. [More]

Starring: Martin Donovan, Mary Ward, Matt Malloy, Rebecca Nelson

Starring: Martin Donovan, Mary Ward, Matt Malloy, Rebecca Nelson

Director: Hal Hartley

Director: Hal Hartley
Screenwriter: Hal Hartley
Producer: Ted Hope, Jerome Brownstein
Composer: Ned Rifle

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