Going Down in LA-LA Land

Going Down in LA-LA Land is a 2011 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Swedish filmmaker Casper Andreas and based on the novel by Andy Zeffer.[1] It was released in New York City on April 20, 2012, and in Los Angeles on May 18, 2012.[2]

Going Down in LA-LA Land
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCasper Andreas
Produced byCasper Andreas
Screenplay byCasper Andreas
Based onGoing Down in LA-LA Land
by Andy Zeffer
Starring
  • Matthew Ludwinski
  • Allison Lane
  • Michael Medico
Music byMichael W. Barry
CinematographyTimothy Naylor
Edited byAlexander Hammer
Production
company
  • Embrem Entertainment
  • La-La Land Films
Distributed byPRO-FUN media Filmverleih
Release date
  • May 1, 2011 (2011-05-01) (Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival)
  • April 20, 2012 (2012-04-20) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Unable to find paying work as an actor in New York, Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) decides to try Los Angeles. He moves in with his eccentric but lovable friend Candy (Allison Lane), whose fiancé Frank supports her. Adam gets a reception job at a talent agency, but gets fired for showing up late one day. He then meets Nick (Casper Andreas), a guy from the gym who works as a director and photographer. Nick helps Adam land a job with Jet Set Productions, a company that produces gay pornography.

He is offered extra money to appear in the company's videos, but insists that he only wants to work behind the camera. However, Adam starts to struggle financially when Frank breaks up with Candy. Nick, who is now dating Adam, convinces him to appear in a solo masturbation video under the name "Andrew" in order to help pay his rent. After making more videos, his boss Ron tells him about his escort business where he pairs actors with high-profile clients.

Through his work, Adam is introduced to John, a successful actor from the popular television sitcom Life Lessons. The two start to see each other regularly, and John offers Adam a job as his assistant, which he happily takes. He later encounters Nick, who begs for money after his addiction to meth caused him to lose his job. He also apologizes for how he treated Adam, and leaves.

Sometime later, Adam is then put into the public eye when his porn star career is exposed in several tabloids. While John later explains to him that he knows Adam would not tell anyone about their relationship, he can't risk losing his career by being associated with him. While Candy wants Adam to take advantage of his new found fame since John fired him, he says he could never hurt John. Adam then almost dies when he mixes alcohol and pills.

While in the hospital, John calls Adam to see if they can meet up without knowing about his accident. Adam then tells John that while he loves him, he can't go back to keeping their relationship a secret. Adam decides to move to Miami and figure out what he wants to do. While packing, John shows up at the apartment and says he wants Adam back into his life. They go outside where a group of paparazzi have been waiting, and kiss in front of the cameras before driving away.

Cast
Actor Role
Matthew LudwinskiAdam
Allison LaneCandy
Michael MedicoJohn
Casper AndreasNick
John SchileRon
Jesse ArcherMatthew
Bruce VilanchMissy
Judy TenutaZinnea
Alec MapaHimself
Perez HiltonRicky
Daniel HayesLucas
Taaffe O'ConnellJob Interviewer
Annie WoodSitcom Wife
Michelle AkeleyStacy
Kim AllenMs. Campbell
Cesar ArambulaOscar Party Guest #1
Brent BaileyDean
Anadel BaughnBeverly Hills Lawyer
Daniel BerillaPerry
Jeremy BuildingDark-haired Model
C. Stephen BrowderMarvin
Mark CirilloAlec Mapa's Fan
Damian CorboyProduction Assistant
Scott DeFalcoFrank
Spencer FallsBaby-faced Model
Sean HemeonOscar Party Guest #2
Angelina HongKim
William JacksonOlder Actor
Gregg JacobsonSun-burned Model
William Thomas JonesRobert
Linda LarsonCasting Director
Claes LiljaScott
Paul MartignettiCareer Waiter
Tom NoblesWayne
Erik PassojaMr. Katz
Brian PutnamPaparazzi
Kurt SchollerSlave
Todd SherryCollin
Ashley SlatonStarlet
Billy SnowGym Sales Guy
Geoff StirlingThe Football Coach
Sherry WestonOlder Actress

Reception

Variety suggested that director Casper Andreas, whose first two films are downplayed as "trivial pursuits", "shows signs of maturing talent" with this film. They concluded that the film was a "polished but entertaining look at biz realities from a gay perspective...well crafted and diverting throughout."[3]

Out magazine's Glenn Payne called the casting of Ludwinski as Adam "pitch perfect", describing his performance as "refreshing and unexpected". In the same review, Payne remarks that "Andreas as a director has cemented his stylistic form with this film and has improved leaps and bounds since his 2004 debut Slutty Summer".[4] Lane, too, is praised for her "loveable but also relatable performance".[4]

Soundtrack

The album Going Down in LA-LA Land: (Music from the Motion Picture) was released on March 30, 2012, by Embrem Entertainment.[5] The soundtrack features various artists including music from Candy Apple Blue, SIRPAUL and Adam Joseph.

References
  1. Zeffer, Andy (2006), Going down in La-La Land, Routledge, ISBN 978-1-56023-597-2
  2. IMDb
  3. "Going Down in La La Land - Film Festival Reviews". Variety. June 29, 2011.
  4. http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/04/23/review-Matthew%20Ludwinski-porn-going-down-la-la-land
  5. "iTunes - Music - Going Down in La-La Land (Music from the Motion Picture) by Various Artists on iTunes". iTunes.
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