FILMMAKER MAGAZINE | Fall 1997: PRODUCTION UPDATE

PRODUCTION UPDATE

Crossing Delancey and Hester Street director Joan Micklin Silver has just wrapped her latest. Called A Fish in the Bathtub, the film's a romantic comedy which stars real-life mates Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara as a Queens couple whose 40-year marriage is under siege. Sam's been tough to live with since his retirement, and when he comes home with a fish he insists on keeping in the bathtub, Molly's frustration boils over. She flees to their son's house and embarks on several dates with a new beau from her driver's-ed-for-seniors class. As Sam stalks the prospective suitor and Molly rearranges her daughter-in-law's kitchen, their children try to mediate, but their own romantic crises get in the way. "It falls into a special category of film I like very much -- human comedy," says Joan Silver. "It's real, wrenching and strikes a chord."

Silver's working with her own husband of 40 years, Fish producer Raphael (Ray) Silver, who collaborated with Toronto writing team Jonathan Silverstein and David Chudnovsky on the shooting script. The Silvers have partnered on Crossing Delancey, Between the Lines, and originally Hester Street, which Ray financed through investors drawn from contacts he'd made in his real estate career. When Hester Street scored high in Critics' Week at Cannes in 1975 but distributors tagged it as a "Jewish film," the Silvers took it out themselves with guidance from Jeff Lipsky. "I called up John Cassavetes, who I didn't know, and he said, 'Distribute it yourself,'" says Ray. "That was probably the most significant call I've made in the film business."

Fish was shot on location in Queens and Brooklyn on a 30-day schedule this past April and May. The film should be done by Christmas and will feature a new song from Dean Wareham, headliner of New York cult band Luna. Wareham's married to the Silvers' youngest daughter Claudia, also a director now set to make her feature debut with Lisa and Lisa (IFFM No Borders '96). All rights are available.

Cast: Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Marc Ruffalo, Jane Adams, Lauren Pratt, Missy Yager, Paul Benedict, Lou Zorich, Doris Roberts, Val Avery, Bob Dishy and Phyllis Newman. Crew: Producers, Raphael Silver, Charles Darby; Screenwriters, Jonathan Silverstein/David Chudnovsky, Raphael Silver; Director, Joan Micklin Silver; Director of Photography, Daniel Shulman; Production Design, Deana Sidney; Costume Designer, Kathryn Nixon; Editor, Meg Reticker. Contact: Raphael Silver, Silverfilm, 510 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Tel: (212) 355-0282, Fax: (212) 421-8254.

A Fish in the Bathtub