Echo Park (1985)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(518 ratings)

This bittersweet comedy looks at the denizens of Echo Park, a decaying section of Los Angeles popular with struggling actors and musicians, largely because of its (relatively) low rents. May Greer (Susan Dey) is a single mother and aspiring actress who makes ends meet by tending bar (the most… More This bittersweet comedy looks at the denizens of Echo Park, a decaying section of Los Angeles popular with struggling actors and musicians, largely because of its (relatively) low rents. May Greer (Susan Dey) is a single mother and aspiring actress who makes ends meet by tending bar (the most lucrative job she's been offered in show biz is as a combination stripper and singing telegram girl). Her neighbor August (Michael Bowen) is a body-builder from Austria who dreams of becoming a movie star like Arnold Schwarzenegger, though these days he's supporting himself by doing low-budget TV commercials for deodorant. May and August have an on-again, off-again relationship, which has more to do with sex and loneliness than love. Hoping to stretch her budget a bit, May rents out a room to Jonathan (Tom Hulce), a wannabe singer/songwriter who makes his money delivering pizzas. May takes a liking to Jonathan, and her son Henry (Christopher Walker) sees Jonathan as the benevolent father figure that's been missing from his life. The supporting cast includes cult figure Timothy Carey and Cassandra Peterson, best known as princess of the dark Elvira. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Robert Dornhelm
Written By: Michael Ventura
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Dec 26, 2001

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Presents vignettes of yearning individuals in Hollywood who dream of making it in show biz.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Offers sympathy for the outcasts and freaks living on the fringe of American society.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
There's a lot of good humour here and you're left feeling as if you've been eavesdropping on some particularly fascinating (and very pleasant) next-door neighbours.

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Cast

            Susan Dey as May Greer

            Tom Hulce as Jonathan

            Michael Bowen as August

            Christopher Walker as Henry Greer

            Shirley Jo Finney as Gloria

            Timothy Carey as Vinnie

            Heinrich Schweiger as August's Father

            Cassandra Peterson as Sheri

            John Paragon as Hugo

            Paul Anselmo as Policeman

            Jesse Aragon as Policeman

            Dorothy Dells as Consulate Secretary

            Yana Nirvana as Woman in Bar

            Robert Shafer as Commercial Director

            Martin Suppan as Austrian Consul

            Biff Yeager as Jailer

            Cheech Marin as Sid

            Dee Cooper as Man in Park

            Anne Marie Bates as Prospective Roommate

            Robert Cabral as Policeman

            Dana Collins as Telegram Stripper

            Peter Drain as Bar Customer

            Douglas M. Ford as Biker

            Stephen Gaines as Desk Sergeant

            Penny Harris as Telegram Stripper

            James Helppi as Guest in Elevator

            Top Jimmy as Bar Customer

            Doug Knott as Birthday Man

            Renee LeBallister as Prospective Roommate

            Fred Leaf as Burt Reynolds' Look-Alike

            Michael Marloe as Party-Goer

            Jason Mayall as Prospective Roommate

            Bob Moss as Birthday Boy

            Skip O'Brien as Prisoner

            John Pochna as Bar Customer

            De Schneider as Real Estate Secretary

            George W. Scott as Man with Tip

            Jim Smith as Party-Goer

            Mary Thompson as Prospective Roommate

            Patricia Tippo as Telegram Stripper

            Jacki Easton Toelle as Girl in Commercial

            Max Trumpower as Telegram Stripper

            Merrill Ward as Telegram Stripper
See full cast

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