Posted on 08/16/2009 9:02:05 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Filming just wrapped on "Casino Jack," in which Kevin Spacey plays jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Having gotten a peek at Norman Snider's deft script, we can tell you that some of its real-life characters have cause for concern.
The screenplay paints George W. Bush and Karl Rove as much chummier with Abramoff than they've acknowledged. ("How you doing there, buff guy?" Bush asks the black-hatted con artist in one Oval Office scene.)
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay comes off worse. Cigar-smoking DeLay, played by Spencer Garrett, is seen golfing with Abramoff on that infamous junket to Scotland. He also enjoys the Polynesian scenery on the Mariana Islands, where Abramoff solicits his protection for American textile manufacturers, who, we see, are running sweatshops. Dining together at Abramoff's D.C. restaurant, Abramoff tells DeLay: "Tom, you'll never get a check in this restaurant." Says DeLay: "Good. … You're my dearest friend, Jack."
Reached at their Texas home, DeLay's wife, Christine, who accompanied him to the Marianas, fumed: "The Justice Department didn't find one e-mail that Tom and Jack exchanged! And yet they were supposed to be so close. They said Jack gave him cigars. He never did."
Bob Ney, former U.S. representative from Ohio, also takes his licks in a scene where Abramoff asks him to speak in the House on behalf of Abramoff's client, Suncruz Casinos. When Ney asks for "a pass on this one," Abramoff snaps,
"After the dollars I've funneled into you this year? I don't think so."
Ney, who served time for his role in the Abramoff influence-peddling scandal, quibbles that he didn't go to Scotland on the same trip as DeLay and only endorsed the casino "in the Congressional Record." But he admits he had "improper" dealings with Abramoff.
Mostly, he's pleased to be portrayed by Jeff Pustil. "I was afraid they'd pick some fat old guy," laughs Ney. The script ends with Abramoff in prison, writing a letter to Bill Clinton, apparently in the hope of winning the ex-President's help in gaining early release.
Director George Hickenlooper, who had five jailhouse interviews with Abramoff (Spacey came to one), says the "charismatic charlatan" told him he did write to Clinton. "Jack feels betrayed by Bush and the Republicans," says Hickenlooper. "He knows their skeletons. He thinks that's why Bush turned down the Justice recommendenation for a reduced sentence. He's too dangerous to let out."
Ten people will see this movie.
Five will be actors who have a part in it. The other five will be their mothers.
Another Bush-bashing Hollywood bomb-to-be. For it’s investors, it’s a thereputic write-off. For everyone else, it’s more “all the movies suck.” Yawn.
But it may get 10 Academy Awards.
I’m waiting for Hollywood to come out with the movie about the Obama/Rezko land deal. I’m sure they’re in production right now/sarc.
Afterall, there were only republicans in goverment in those days. The democrats werent even thought of yet.
Oh, this will just make so much money—LOL
Off the top of your head can you tell me what movie won Best Picture last year?
I’m waiting for the movie about our guys kicking ass in Iraq.
"The Gay Vaqueros" ?
Or was that the year before?
Bash Bush HomoWood style ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Pray for America
You could make a great film about Democrats’ corruption. Pick any era.
And his Kevin’s boyfriends over at the Huffington Post.
Oh, get over your hatred for President Bush already! These people just cannot let go.
I haven't heard that mentioned in 2 days.
Kevin Spacey’s career has gone steadily downhill, kinda like his idol Obama.
Well, if it's been written down in a script...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.