The Birthday Cake is a 2021 American crime thriller film directed by Jimmy Giannopoulos, from a screenplay by Diomedes Raul Bermudez, Shiloh Fernandez and Giannopoulos. It is the feature directorial debut for Giannopoulos, who previously directed short films and worked with Miley Cyrus, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, and others on music projects.[1] This is the last movie Paul Sorvino starred in at the time of his death on July 25, 2022.
The Birthday Cake | |
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Directed by | Jimmy Giannopoulos |
Screenplay by |
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Produced by |
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Starring |
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Music by | Jimmy Giannopoulos Tim Sandusky |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Screen Media Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Birthday Cake was released in the United States on June 18, 2021.[2]
Premise
editYoung Italian-American, Giovanni "Gio", reluctantly continues his family's annual tradition of bringing a cake to the house of his Uncle Angelo, a local crime lord, to mark the anniversary of his mob-connected father's passing ten years earlier. It is not long before he witnesses a murder along the way, that will force him to learn the truth behind his father's death and change his life forever.[3]
Cast
edit- Ewan McGregor as Father Kelly
- Shiloh Fernandez as Giovanni "Gio"
- David Mazouz as young Gio
- Val Kilmer as Uncle Angelo
- Lorraine Bracco as Sofia
- Ashley Benson as Tracey
- John Magaro as Cousin Joey
- Vincent Pastore as Vito
- Nick Vallelonga as Uncle Tiny Tony
- Marla Maples as Aunt Emma
- Emily Tremaine as Karen
- William Fichtner as Uncle Ricardo
- Jeremy Allen White as Tommaso
- Emory Cohen as Leo
- Franky G as Omar
- Ruben Rivera as Ramon
- Jose Jimenez as Julio
- Tyler Dean Flores as Flacko
- Penn Badgley as Peeno
- Luis Guzman as Jochee
- Aldis Hodge as Eagle
- Jake Weary as Agent Pete
- Clara McGregor as Diane
- Paul Sorvino as Uncle Carmine
- Joseph D’Onofrio as Bootsy
Production
editIn August 2019, it was announced that Ewan McGregor, Shiloh Fernandez and Val Kilmer joined the cast of the film. Producers include Diomedes Raul Bermudez of Purpose Films, Siena Oberman of Artemis Pictures and Danny Sawaf of Oceana Studios. Jamin O'Brien, Jason Weinberg and Greg Lauritano are executive producers. Cassius Corrigan is a Co-Producer. [3]
Reception
editOn Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 23%, based on reviews from 22 critics.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Ewan McGregor, Shiloh Fernandez, Val Kilmer to Star in Mob Drama 'The Birthday Cake'". The Hollywood Reporter. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
- ^ "Exclusive new photos from the biggest summer movies". USA Today. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer joining cast of 'The Birthday Cake'". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
- ^ "The Birthday Cake (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved December 4, 2021.