Lawrence Michael Levine | |
---|---|
![]() Levine interviewed about Green in 2011 | |
Born | 1976 (age 47–48) |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, editor, producer, writer |
Years active | 2004-present |
Spouse | Sophia Takal |
Lawrence Michael Levine (born 1976)[1] is an American actor, writer, and filmmaker, best known for writing and directing the films Gabi on the Roof in July,[2] Wild Canaries, and Black Bear.
Career
[edit]In 2005, Levine wrote, produced, and directed his debut film Territory, based on his stage play of the same name. Critic Aaron West of eFilmCritic wrote of the film, "The off-Broadway version is undoubtedly the more appropriate medium for this story, and if given a choice, I would rather see it there. Still, I cannot help but applaud Levine for trying something a little different. His characters are extraordinarily ordinary, and his tightly wound screenplay reveals their (and our) brightest and darkest sides at various times."[3]
In 2009, he wrote and directed the short films The Empress and Fat Friend.
His next film, 2010's romantic drama/comedy Gabi on the Roof in July, received a positive critical response[4] and was praised by Eric Kohn of Indiewire, who called the film a "lightly amusing comedy".[5]
In 2014, Levine wrote, directed, and starred in the mystery/comedy Wild Canaries. The film received a positive response from critics and was praised by The Village Voice as being "...the closest a contemporary film has come to replicating the unbridled jubilance of a classic screwball comedy".[6] His most recent film, Black Bear, stars Christopher Abbott, Sarah Gadon and Aubrey Plaza.[7]
In addition to his own films, Levine has also acted in such pictures as Richard's Wedding, Takal's Green, All the Light in the Sky, and V/H/S/2 (segment "Tape 49"), and appears in the second season of the anthology series Easy.
Personal life
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Sophia_Takal_%26_Lawrence_Levine_Smells_Like_Screen_Spirit_interview.jpg/220px-Sophia_Takal_%26_Lawrence_Levine_Smells_Like_Screen_Spirit_interview.jpg)
Levine is married to fellow filmmaker Sophia Takal, with whom he has collaborated on several films.[6] In 2013, Jordan Zakarin of The Hollywood Reporter named Levine and Takal two of New York's next big independent filmmakers.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Alloway, Meredith (March 3, 2015). "Sophia Takal and Lawrence Michael Levine On Taming Their Wild Canaries". Paste. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ "Lawrence Michael Levine on "Gabi on the Roof in July"". Indie Outlook. 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ West, Aaron (August 5, 2005). "Territory: Almost the equivalent of bringing a camera to a play". eFilmCritic!. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ "Gabi on the Roof in July". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ Kohn, Eric. "Babbling in Brooklyn: Life Lessons Abound in "Gabi on the Roof in July"". Indiewire. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Marsh, Calum (June 18, 2014). "BAM's Blowout: Relish the Film Fest That Screens Only the Best". The Village Voice. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 29, 2019). "Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott & Sarah Gadon To Star In 'Black Bear' Thriller From Lawrence Michael Levine". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
- ^ Zakarin, Jordan (March 26, 2013). "Fast, Cheap and Indie: The Rise of New York's Next Big Filmmakers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 20, 2020.