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WHERE THE
SIDEWALK ENDS
“Erin is definitely a product of her environment, which isn’t a good one, but she has the capacity to be a wonderful, intelligent and sensitive human being,” says Jovovich. “Because of her surroundings, however, she’s been repressed and coerced into lying and being pretty manipulative, which makes her more fun to play: there are so many rich layers.
“She can never imagine life with Hoop, even though she leads him to believe otherwise. For her, it’s about lying, scheming and manipulating him for her benefit. But with Jack, it’s more real - something Erin hasn’t experienced before. There’s a lot of sexual tension in the air when they’re together. Jack’s a real man, an honest person she can look up to; she’s also comfortable enough with him to be herself.”
For the Ukrainian-born, US-raised actress who shot to fame with her role as Leeloo in The Fifth Element, the alien who is simultaneously seductive, violent and shy, the initial attraction of the film was the script and the director. But Jovovich soon realised there was a third very good reason for being in The House on Turk Street. “When I discovered all the people who were involved,” she chuckles, “it was like a big cherry on top.”
Gang leader Stellan Skarsgård with Jovovich
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All the cast members pay tribute to Rafelson’s relaxed yet disciplined approach - something all the more necessary given that much of the action takes place on a single composite set: the house of the title, which was built in a converted Canadian Air Force hangar in a studio facility at St Hubert, just outside Montreal. “It had to be done properly,” says Rafelson, “and to have open space and architectural curiosity.”
As for the cast, Rafelson is only too happy to return their compliments. “Samuel Jackson brought a lot of dignity and a touch of vulnerability to his role,” he says, “and Milla has great beauty and intelligence: she had not done this sort of character before and hasn’t yet learned how to be lazy or obvious, so it was a great role for her. Stellan’s natural intellect and an unfailing need to experiment helped illuminate the dark corners of his character. Joss has a great voice, an 18-inch neck and gentleness escaping from his power. Doug is a very smart actor, prepared to see all sides of his pathology, including loneliness and sweet ambition. As for Grace, her character needed to carry a gun and be extremely witty. She enlarges any role she is given with searing insight.”
“Bob and his stellar cast have created a true piece of art for us,” sums up delighted producer Maxime Remillard. “The House on Turk Street is old-time movie-making with modern production values. The cinematography of Juan Ruiz-Anchia is nothing short of superb: pleasing to the eye and a thrill to watch. This type of film is something fans don’t get the chance to see very often any more, and I’m glad we are able to treat them to it.”
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THE HOUSE ON TURK STREET
Peter Hoffman presents a Seven Arts, ApolloMedia,
Remstar production
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Prod: Sam Perlmutter, David Braun, Maxime Remillard, André Rouleau, Herb Nanas, Barry Berg; Exec prod: Julien Remillard, David E Allen, Frank Hubner, Jan Fantl; Dir: Bob Rafelson; Scr: Steve Barancik, Christopher Canaan, adapted from the story by Dashiell Hammett; Ph: Juan Ruiz-Anchia; Prod des: Paul Peters; Cost des: Mary Claire Hannan; Ed: William Scharf; Casting: Victoria Burrows, Scott Boland; Mus: Jeff Beal.
With Samuel L Jackson (Jack Friar), Milla Jovovich (Erin), Stellan Skarsgård (Tyrone), Doug Hutchison (Hoop), Joss Ackland (Thomas Quarre), Grace Zabriskie (Isabelle Quarre).
International distribution:
Seven Arts International.
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