The Seduction of Joe Tynan
| The Seduction of Joe Tynan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jerry Schatzberg |
| Produced by | Martin Bregman |
| Written by | Alan Alda |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Bill Conti |
| Cinematography | Adam Holender |
| Edited by | Evan A. Lottman |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates | August 17, 1979 |
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $19,595,168[1] |
The Seduction of Joe Tynan is a 1979 American political drama film directed by Jerry Schatzberg and produced by Martin Bregman.[2] The screenplay was written by Alan Alda, who also played the title role.[3]
The film stars Alda, Barbara Harris, and Meryl Streep, with Rip Torn, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Kimbrough, and Carrie Nye.[4] Meryl Streep said that she was on "automatic pilot" during filming because she went to work not long after the death of John Cazale, adding that she got through the process largely due to how supportive Alda was.
Synopsis
Joe Tynan is a liberal U.S. senator from New York with possible presidential ambitions. For the time being, he is weighing the nomination of a potential Supreme Court justice, with the elderly Sen. Birney urging him strongly to support the nominee.
Tynan is married with two children, and his frequent work-related absence is an occupational hazard tolerated by wife Ellie, who is busy studying for a new career as a therapist. When he travels to Louisiana to investigate the nominated judge, he encounters labor lawyer Karen Traynor, who knows of evidence revealing the nominee to be unfit. Their time together results in Tynan and the married Karen beginning a romantic affair.
While back in Washington, D.C., engaging in a friendly rivalry with Southern senator Kittner and preparing for the party's upcoming national convention, Tynan begins to realize that Sen. Birney is suffering from a form of early dementia. Ellie, meanwhile, discovers his relationship with Karen, causing considerable friction at home. Tynan breaks off the affair and makes amends to his wife as he delivers a speech at the convention.
Cast
- Alan Alda as Joe Tynan
- Barbara Harris as Ellie Tynan
- Meryl Streep as Karen Traynor
- Rip Torn as Senator Kittner
- Melvyn Douglas as Senator Birney
- Charles Kimbrough as Francis
- Carrie Nye as Aldena Kittner
- Michael Higgins as Senator Pardew
- Blanche Baker as Janet
- Chris Arnold as Jerry
- Maureen Anderman as Joe's Secretary
- John Badila as Reporter on TV Screen
- Robert Christian as Arthur Briggs
- Maurice Copeland as Edward Anderson
- Lu Elrod as Congresswoman at Party
- Marian Hailey as Sheila Lerner
Awards
Wins
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: LAFCA Award, Best Supporting Actor, Melvyn Douglas; Best Supporting Actress, Meryl Streep; 1979.
- National Board of Review of Motion Pictures: NBR Award, Best Supporting Actress, Meryl Streep; 1979.
- National Society of Film Critics: NSFC Award, Best Supporting Actress, Meryl Streep; 1979.
- New York Film Critics Circle Awards: NYFCC Award, Best Supporting Actress, Meryl Streep; 1979.
- American Movie Awards: Marquee, Best Actor, Alan Alda; 1980.
References
- ↑ "The Seduction of Joe Tynan, Box Office Information". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ↑ Rich, Frank (1979-08-20). "Split Ticket". Time. ISSN 0040-781X.
- ↑ Maslin, Janet (1979-08-17). "Screen: Alan Alda Writes and Stars in 'Joe Tynan'; Coping With Fame". The New York Times. p. C6.
- ↑ "The Seduction of Joe Tynan". Variety. 1979-01-01.