Don's Plum

Watch Don's Plum

  • NR
  • 2001
  • 1 hr 29 min
  • 5.6  (4,687)

Don's Plum is a 2001 film directed by R.D. Robb, starring Scott Bloom, Kevin Connolly, Tobey Maguire, and Leonardo DiCaprio in a minor role. The movie is shot in black and white and is a snapshot of the lives of a group of young adults in Los Angeles who frequent a diner called Don's Plum. The movie is structured as a series of vignettes, chronicling the conversations and interactions of the various characters over the course of several evenings spent at the diner. The conversations are frank and uncensored, covering topics like sex, relationships, and pop culture. The characters are all outsiders in some way, and the movie shines a light on the struggles they face as they try to find their place in the world.

The main characters are Derek (played by Jamie Kennedy), a struggling actor who is always on the verge of getting his big break; Ian (played by Tobey Maguire), a brooding poet who is nursing a broken heart; and Jeremy (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a self-obsessed ladies' man who is never without a new conquest. The other regulars at Don's Plum include Sara (played by Jenny Lewis), a free-spirited artist; Ray (played by Scott Bloom), a musician with an attitude; and the waitress, who is the only adult in the movie and serves as a kind of foil to the young people's antics.

One of the unique things about Don's Plum is the way it was made. The movie was shot in 1995 and 1996, before any of the actors were famous, and was intended to be a low-budget indie film. However, both Maguire and DiCaprio had become huge stars by the time the movie was ready to be released, and they were unhappy with the finished product. They sued to prevent the movie from being distributed in the United States, claiming that it was never intended to be released theatrically and that they had only agreed to participate as a favor to their friends.

The controversy surrounding the movie only added to its cult appeal, and it was eventually released in Europe and other parts of the world. The black and white cinematography and the raw, unfiltered dialogue give the movie a gritty realism that feels very of its time. The characters are complex and flawed, but they are also funny and relatable. There are moments of both humor and pathos throughout the movie, and it captures the uncertainty and insecurity of young adulthood in a way that feels authentic.

Overall, Don's Plum is an interesting artifact of a certain time and place in film history. It's not a perfect movie, but it's an honest one, and it offers a intriguing glimpse into the lives of a group of young people trying to figure out who they are and where they're going. If you're a fan of indie films or you're curious about the careers of Maguire and DiCaprio before they became household names, it's definitely worth checking out.

Don's Plum
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Description
  • Release Date
    2001
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 29 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.6  (4,687)
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