Listen to Me (film) - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

Listen to me 1989

Listen to Me is a 1989 American drama film written and directed by Douglas Day Stewart. Released on May 5, 1989, it stars Kirk Cameron, Jami Gertz, and Roy Scheider. The film was largely shot on location in Malibu, California, including the campus of Pepperdine University.

Plot summary

Listen to Me centers around a group of college students who are members of the debate team at fictional Kenmont College. The two main characters, Tucker Muldowney (Cameron) and Monica Tomanski (Gertz), come from underprivileged backgrounds, having won scholarships to Kenmont for displaying exceptional talent for debating. Both students are taken under the wing of the debate team coach, Charlie Nichols (Scheider), who was a star debater in his youth.

The team eventually wins a chance to debate the issue of abortion in front of the Supreme Court. Along the way, the students learn lessons about life, love, friendship, and politics.

Main

Kirk Cameron as Tucker Muldowney

Jami Gertz as Monica Tomanski

Roy Scheider as Charlie Nichols

Amanda Peterson as Donna Lumis

George Wyner as Dean Schwimmer

Anthony Zerbe as Senator McKellar

Quinn Cummings as Susan Hooper

Christopher Atkins as Bruce Arlington

Timothy Dang as Bobby Chin

Peter DeLuise as Cameron Sweet

Jason Gould as Hinkelstein

Yeardley Smith as Cootz

Moon Unit Zappa as Longnecker (Credited as Moon Zappa)

Tom Schanley as Stewart Shields

Dan Schneider as Nathan Gore

Rance Howard as Mr. Tucker

Ron Masak as Mr. Tomanski

Dottie Archibald as Mrs. Tomanski

Tim Quill as Garson McKellar

Jon Shear as Braithwaite (credited as Jon Matthews)

Christopher Rydell as Tom Lloynd

Martin West as Justice Blyleven

Supporting

Jamie Kantrowitz as Monica's Little Sister

Barbara Pilavin as Monica's Aunt

Francine Selkirk as Monica's Aunt

Sean Stewart as Reform School Boy At Fence

Stephanie Copeland as Kenmore Cheerleader

Jodi Engleman as Kenmore Cheerleader (Credited as Jodi Engelmann)

Francine L. Julius as Kenmore Cheerleader

Alison Morgan as Kenmore Cheerleader

Traci L. Murray as Kenmore Cheerleader

Tammi Urner as Kenmore Cheerleader

Nancy Valen as Mia

Dorrie Krum as Tasha

Dylan Stewart as Chess Player

Julie Dretzin as Sloan

Lynn Fischer as Bobby Chin's Girlfriend

Mark Christopher Lawrence as Attila

Robert A. Chumbrook Jr. as Horny (Credited as Robert A. Chumbook)

Lilyan Chauvin as French Professor

Julie Robb as Fountain Girl (Credited as Julie Simone)

Annette Sinclair as Fountain Girl

Dianne Travis as Garson's Mother (Credited as Dianne Turley Travis)

Anna Lee as Garson's Grandmother

Kenneth Patterson as Garson's Grandfather (Credited as Kenneth G. Patterson)

Thomas Heinkel Miller as Columbia Debate Official

Priscilla Kovary Charlie's Dancing Partner

Richard Lundin as Hansom Cab Driver (Credited as Rick A. Lundin)

Jon Lindstrom as Television Reporter

David Downing as Officer of the Court

Don Galloway as Harvard Coach

Ed Wright as Justice Patterson

R. Norwood Smith as Justice Goodman (Credited as Norwood Smith)

Dave Gilbert as Justice Tarlton

Mary Gregory as Justice Brooderworth

Cameo/Uncredited

Frank Ferruccio as Alex Corey

Donald Hall as Man in Restaurant

Lara Holmes as College Student

Angel Jager as Student

Michael Joiner as College student

Chillie Mo as Shaun

Tricia Sheldon as Debator

Tracii Show as College Student

Reynaldo Silva as College Student

Production

The film was originally called Mismatch and was meant to star James Garner but he had heart surgery and was replaced by Roy Schneider. Filming started in May 1988.

The film was re-titled Talking Back when released on video in the US.

"It's kind of the flipside of Less Than Zero," said associate producer Chuck Cooperman. "These people are our future leaders. They're just as bright, concerned and just as passionate as anyone."

It was financed by the Weintraub Entertainment Group from Jerry Weintraub.

Kirk Cameron said it "was easy for me to relate to" his character. "To begin with, it's a dramatic part. It's not a film about teenagers with half a brain running around drinking, dancing and partying. The characters are intelligent and responsible. They are genuinely concerned about the world we live in. It's much closer to reality than other teen pictures. It's time to show the other side of my generation, the deeper side."

Reception

The film's marketing was going to focus on Kirk Cameron, then at the height of his popularity. However Jerry Weintraub over-rode them and insisted on ads that emphasised the fact the film dealt with a debate about abortion, hoping to stir up controversy. The movie was a flop at the box office. "Fans were neither angered or disturbed, they simply stayed away," wrote the Wall Street Journal.

References

Listen to Me (film) Wikipedia

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Listen to Me (film) IMDb Listen to Me (film) themoviedb.org