A Slipping Down Life
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Toni Kalem
Jason Russell Waller
Mike Keller
Kevin Stack
Bruno Kirby
Gary Ragland
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Evie Decker is a painfully timid young woman whose monotonous life consists of living with her reclusive widower father and working a dead-end job at a rundown amusement park. Evie's quiet existence is shattered when she hears a late-night radio interview with a struggling musician named Drumstrings Casey. Evie is fascinated with his seductive voice and sultry lyrics, and convinces her best friend, Violet, to go with her to the local roadhouse to see him perform. Seeing him in person, Evie becomes even more mesmerized by the handsome and brooding musician. During one of Drum's shows, Evie's growing infatuation blends into obsession when she becomes so entranced by his singing that she actually cuts his name into her forehead with a piece of glass. She considers this her first step towards taking more control of her life. The incident brings her to Drum's attention, and he and his manager David Elliot decide to use her as a marketing gimmick at future shows. Evie's total faith in Drum's talent inspires and intrigues him, while her role as his "muse" imparts Evie with uncharacteristic self-assurance. The physical attraction between Evie and Drum increases as their emotional need for one another becomes more and more apparent. The inspiration they find together, to break out from the confines of low expectations and the ordinariness of small town life, begins to conflict with the pursuit of their individual dreams. Together or apart, they must decide which path will lead to the fulfillment of their newfound strength.
Director
Toni Kalem
Cast
Jason Russell Waller
Mike Keller
Kevin Stack
Bruno Kirby
Gary Ragland
Marshall Bell
Chris Warner
James Harrell
Jimmy Englund
Brian Prendergast
Michael Ramos
Curt Bisquera
Margaret Bowman
Guy Pearce
Sara Rue
Tom Bower
Norman Bennett
Brian Stack
Mozelle Moses-felder
Jeff Mcmillion
Jason Kavalewitz
Vincent Prendergast
Mike Hynes
Irma P. Hall
Jamie Dickerson
Keith Mcdermott
Lew Temple
Lili Taylor
Harv Morgan
Dan Bennett
Billy Harvey
Kirk Watson
Shawnee Smith
Veronica Cartwright
Johnny Goudie
Topher Glenn
Jo Ann Farabee
David Hack
Tony Frank
Clea Duvall
Eric Tatuaka
Floyd Freeman
John Hawkes
Doris Gramm
Crew
Anna Abbey
Allyson Aborn
Pembrooke Andrews
Abby Antweil
Diane Bailey
Richard Barron
Michael Barrow
Dave Bennett
Sarah Benson
Adam Brewer
Levon Broussalian
Bart Brown
Lance Brown
Lance Brown
Steven Brown
Jeff K Brunello
Morgan Campbell
Dwight Cary
Mike Cearley
Dominick Certo
Young Choi
Tom Christopher
Kelley Collopy
Charlie Coulter
Dustin Cox
Kyle Craig
Tracy Craytor
Cathy Crisp
Theda Cunningham
Catie Curtis
Paul Curtis
Pud Cusack
Derinda Dallas
Michael Dalman
Regina Defreitas
Michael Dodge
Scott Duncan
Joe N Dye
Susan Elkins
Kate E Emmert
Krista Ernst
Cecil D. Evans
Marci Evers
Ramona Fabregas
Gregory Faucett
Jo Anne Finan
Marc Fishman
Elisabeth Flaum
Kristi Fleming
Sam Fleming
Steve Fossler
Christine C Fransen
John A Frick
Patricia A Fullerton
Rachel Funcheon
Joe Gallien
Daniel Gerst
Dawn Good
Wayne Gordon
Daniel Grant
Daniel Grant
Henley Green
Todd Green
Rebecca Hanck
Courtney Harrell
Jody Haselbarth
Jonathan Hennessey
Joe Henry
Joe Henry
Greg Herzenach
Peter Himmelman
Mike Hitch
Robyn Hitchcock
Karen N Horowitz
Edison Jackson
Randy Jacobs
Rob Janecka
Margaret Johnson
Vicki Johnson
Erick Jolley
Jason Ray Jurica
Eric Justen
Toni Kalem
Shawn Kennelly
K J Kernan
Alan Kerr
Crystal Kieth
Suzanne Koneful
Kurt Kornemann
Val Kuklowsky
Scott Lane
Harry Lapham
Paul T. Leblanc
Ross Levinson
Corey Lieberman
Robin Lieberman
Stephen Light
David A Little
Joseph Lockwood
Greg Lomas
David Long
Jennifer Long
Keith Markinson
Sean Maxwell
Miles Andrew Mccauley
Jay F Mccuin
Geoff Mcfetridge
David Mcgill
Dennis Meehan
Maria L Melograne
Tim Monich
Randy E Moore
Richard Moore
Orlando Mora
P. K. Munson
Dany Navarette
Thomas Nellen
Lonnie Nelson
Deana Newcomb
Sally Nicolaou
Daniel Norton
Wendy O'brien
John Papsidera
Darren Patnode
Drew Patrizi
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Emily Pryor
Beth Puorro
Richard Raddon
Leeann Radeka
Katherine Rees
Christopher Regan
Matthew Richardson
Mike Robins
Ted Rosenblatt
Craig Ross
Ira Rubnitz
Dave Sanders
Phil Schriber
Dan Scolnik
Bobby Sconci
Russell Scott
Charles Seale
Beth Sepko
Ron Sexsmith
Peter Simonite
Mark Simos
Kevin Sims
Kerri Smeltzer
Rusty Smith
Frederick H Stahly
Bill Stevens
Miker Stovall
Scott Streetman
Christopher Stull
John C. Stuver
Wallace Symms
Andy Taub
Jesse Tellez
Eric Thompson
Spring Thornton
Kathleen Townes
Tim Travis
Katie Tull
Anne Tyler
Pete Verrando
Chris Violette
Tim Walston
Tim Walston
Wilburn W White
Chad Whitman
Hughes Winborne
James Wright
Terri L. Wright
Tanya R Yarbrough
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Spring May 14, 2004
Released in United States on Video October 19, 2004
Released in United States 1999
Released in United States January 1999
Released in United States April 1999
Shown at Gen Art Film Festival (Opening Night) in New York City April 28 - May 4, 1999.
Shown at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival April 15-20, 1999.
Feature directorial debut for writer/actress Toni Kalem.
Completed shooting August 12, 1998.
Began shooting July 6, 1998.
Released in United States Spring May 14, 2004
Released in United States on Video October 19, 2004
Released in United States 1999 (Shown at Gen Art Film Festival (Opening Night) in New York City April 28 - May 4, 1999.)
Released in United States January 1999 (Shown at Sundance Film Festival (in competition) in Park City, Utah January 21-31, 1999.)
Released in United States April 1999 (Shown at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival April 15-20, 1999.)
