Sympathy for Delicious (2011)

29% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(1,646 ratings)

SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS marks acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo's first foray into directing. This inspired and unusual film tells the story of Dean O'Dwyer (Christopher Thornton), also known as "Delicious D," an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident… More SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS marks acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo's first foray into directing. This inspired and unusual film tells the story of Dean O'Dwyer (Christopher Thornton), also known as "Delicious D," an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident leaves Dean paralyzed, he abandons his turntables for a wheelchair as his once promising career disappears before his eyes. Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean begins his descent into depression when he meets Father Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo), a passionate young priest. Father Joe introduces Dean to the world of faith-healing, an unlikely way for him to begin his quest to walk again. He soon discovers that he possesses the otherworldly power to heal people, but in an odd twist of fate, he is utterly unable to heal himself. Despite Father Joe's warnings, Dean angrily decides to use his newfound gift for fame and fortune. He joins a rock band led by charismatic front man The Stain (Orlando Bloom) with bassist Ariel (Juliette Lewis), and manager Nina Hogue (Laura Linney). But his newfound notoriety is unable to cure the hurt that encompasses his life. To find true healing, Dean must ultimately confront his worst demons and come to terms with his own humanity. SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS is an edgy rock-and-roll spiritual journey that explores the lasting effects of tragedy, the search for meaning, and the ultimate redemptive power of compassion. -- (C) Maya Releasing

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Mark Ruffalo
Written By: Christopher Thornton
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 29, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Aug 23, 2011
Studio: Maya Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
You can't make this stuff up. Or maybe you can, but you shouldn't.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Mark Ruffalo is one of the best actors of his generation, and I'd like to be able to say that, with his directorial debut, Sympathy for Delicious, he's one of its best filmmakers, too. Alas, this semiexpressionist fantasia is a botch.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
While, as director, Ruffalo is a little too fond of hand-held shots, he keeps all the performances simmering and moves the story ahead in simple, straightforward steps.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Interesting but never compelling...
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
As it builds, kind of epically, to a thoughtful conclusion, "Sympathy" appreciates the places we find after defeating our demons.
Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times
Despite the powerful sense of place, "Sympathy for Delicious" unwinds a narrative thread that grows increasingly tattered and flimsy.
Brent Simon, Shockya.com
The movie presents its premise in a somewhat intriguingly unprepossessing way, but abandons any deeper exploration of its crisis of faith or, indeed, just human existence -- all to hopelessly middling effect.
John Esther, UR Chicago Magazine
The script would have better served the character of Delicious if his powers were "scientifically" explained.
Matt Singer, IFC.com
Good intentions and poor execution.
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Ebert Presents At The Movies
Once we get to the trial that kind of dominates the later part of the movie, I think it comes back and it refocuses on this dynamic between Thornton and Ruffalo who are incedently really good together.
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Scattered drama about faith and poverty is intense.
Sam Adams, AV Club
Mark Ruffalo only gave himself a small part in his directorial debut, but his absence behind the camera is more keenly felt.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Messy, far-fetched rock drama with religious vibes, about a former DJ on L.A.'s skid row who emerges a healer, will go straight to the cut-out bin.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The spiritual journey of a disabled turntable dj with a gift of healing from Skid Row to megabuck success as a member of a heavy metal band.
Alison Willmore, Time Out New York
A mess -- but a beautiful one, crammed with enough big ideas and outsize performances for three movies.
Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine
On odd mishmash that leads to some headscratchingly bizarre moments, while ultimately skirting incoherence of purpose.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Am I rooting for the underdogs these days? I was mesmerized by this movie, yet others seemed to not like it.....Great cast. Captivating. Raw, without being cheap. This is a story largely revolving around religion and music, but mostly having to do with personal struggles, and ethics.… More
Am I rooting for the underdogs these days? I was mesmerized by this movie, yet others seemed to not like it.....Great cast. Captivating. Raw, without being cheap. This is a story largely revolving around religion and music, but mostly having to do with personal struggles, and ethics. Well done film, with a very satisfying ending. Personally, I think that Mark Ruffalo has a promising career as a director.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast:Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Thornton, Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, John Carroll Lynch, Noah Emmerich, James Karen, Nathan Wetherington Director:Mark Ruffalo Summary: Struggling for survival on the rough streets of Los Angeles, newly paralyzed DJ… More
Cast:Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Thornton, Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, John Carroll Lynch, Noah Emmerich, James Karen, Nathan Wetherington Director:Mark Ruffalo Summary: Struggling for survival on the rough streets of Los Angeles, newly paralyzed DJ "Delicious" Dean O'Dwyer gains the supernatural ability to heal the sick. But he uses the gift to capitalize on his dreams of rock success in this offbeat drama. Written by Thornton, Mark Ruffalo's directorial debut also stars Orlando Bloom as the front man of a rock band and Laura Linney as the group's persistent manager. My Thoughts: "I wish I could say I loved the film and that Mark Ruffalo did an amazing job at directing. But I just didn't care for the movie or it's character's. The directing was a bit shaky. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. I know this story has to do with what Mark's friend Chris kind of went through with trying healing techniques. Orlando Bloom wasn't at all impressive in this role. I'm not sure if it was his acting or the character. I liked Juliette Lewis in this. The story just doesn't play out well. It was just OK and I wish I could say some positive things about the film since I am a big fan of Mark's, but honestly the film fell flat as well as the acting."
Sol C

Ruffalo's directorial debut was so so. The film reminded me of the film, The Touch with Skeet Ulrich and Christopher Walken, however, I thought that film was better. Ruffalo had a good idea for a film but didn't execute it correctly I thought Christopher Thornton was miscast… More
Ruffalo's directorial debut was so so. The film reminded me of the film, The Touch with Skeet Ulrich and Christopher Walken, however, I thought that film was better. Ruffalo had a good idea for a film but didn't execute it correctly I thought Christopher Thornton was miscast in the lead role. Ruffalo should have gone with another actor like Sam Rockwell for that role. All of the other actors in this ensemble did a good job. I hope Ruffalo's next film that he directs, will be better.
Christopher H

There is enough going on in this Mark Ruffalo production to keep things interesting, but never outstanding. Christopher Thornton is a new enough face to keep the film exciting, yet the dialogue and plot tend to hold him down. Ruffalo's performance compliments the film nicely, but… More
There is enough going on in this Mark Ruffalo production to keep things interesting, but never outstanding. Christopher Thornton is a new enough face to keep the film exciting, yet the dialogue and plot tend to hold him down. Ruffalo's performance compliments the film nicely, but over all, the rest of the cast misses their mark, or perhaps never even reaches it.
matt s

I had high hopes for this film since I heard Ruffalo was directing it and The Besnard Lakes were doing the music. However, after reading the reviews, I figured it was probably one of those mishandled films/vanity projects. And I was wrong. This is an interesting little parable, sort… More
I had high hopes for this film since I heard Ruffalo was directing it and The Besnard Lakes were doing the music. However, after reading the reviews, I figured it was probably one of those mishandled films/vanity projects. And I was wrong. This is an interesting little parable, sort of like Jose Saramago's The Gospel According to Jesus Christ. Christopher Thornton plays a down-on-his-luck, homeless DJ who finds the power to heal. Absurdly and feeling used by the local priest, he goes on the road with a local touring band and becomes a circus act and danger to himself and others. Ruffalo is once again amazing. The film isn't bad, and it shows Ruffalo's eye for great performances (except for Orlando Bloom, who manages to infuse his performance with Lord of the Rings-style bullshit). The film, while telling a fantasy/Catholic guilt story, has realistic portrayals that make up for time lapses and kept me interested and pinned. A lot of films that touch on these themes would probably make the whole thing a carnival, but because of the nuance and amazing atmosphere, I felt compelled, even touched. I don't know what I and critics were expecting. It's no masterpiece, for sure, but it's a lot better than the other films that have been released this year. These days, that's more than enough.