Richard LaGravenese

by MovieMaker Staff | Published January 29, 2007

Not every screenwriter will find themselves nominated for an Oscar with only two films under their belt, but Richard LaGravenese did just this. 1991’s critical darling, The Fisher King. catapaulted LaGravanese into the limelight, the Brooklyn-born writer has been delivering memorable films ever since. From Alfonso CuarÃ³n (A Little Princess) to Clint Eastwood (The Bridges of Madison County) to Robert Redford (The Horse Whisperer), directors have profited from LaGravenese’s universal interpretations of love, loss and strength.

With an Academy Award nomination practically right out of the gate, LaGravenese’s career has been the envy of many struggling writers; however, LaGravenese made some early detours before falling into the screenwriting trade. As a child he spent his days watching “The Million Dollar Matinee” instead of playing with the neighborhood children. And while this indicates an early affinity for the medium of film, LaGravenese’s first foray into artistic expression came when he pursued a degree in acting and experimental theater at New York University. Upon graduation, his talent for dialogue ultimately led him from stand-up comedy to a writing credit on David Greenwalt and Aaron Russo’s Rude Awakening (1989).

In the years since his first success, LaGravenese has branched out to directing, too. Of the five movies he has made, he has written four of them himself. On January 5th, the writer-director’s latest effort, Freedom Writers, was released nationwide. Starring Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey, the film is the story of a Los Angeles teacher who guides her disadvantaged students to higher education. It was adapted from the nonfiction book, The Freedom Writers Diary, written by the youths of Long Beach after the L.A. riots. For more information on the film and LaGravenese’s work, visit www.freedomwriters.com.

Sound Off: Seems like this writer-director may have found a muse! Next up, Richard LaGravenese will be directing his screenplay, P.S., I Love You, also starring Hilary Swank. Who is your favorite director/muse pairing and why? Let us know in the comments section!

Photo: Director Richard LaGravenese on the set of Paramount Pictures’ Freedom Writers.

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Comment by Ã¥ke on 3/03/07 at 10:04 am

about THE film the fisher king

I really love this film. This is just the way a film ought to be. I have seen it several times and everytime I laugh an cry. I just love it. The fantasy in wich the underlieing feelings are expressed in the film leaves an undestroyable impression on me. Playfulness and brillance is words that comes to my mind.In Sweden we had a filmmaker who made films(for TV) that reminds me of this. Hes name is Lars Molin. Unfortunately he died to early. Please try to create more films like The fisher king and please dont die before you have.
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Comment by Evelyn on 5/13/07 at 10:13 pm

I am absolutely stunned at the fact that you were nominated for an oscar at such an early start. I am familiar with some of your films, and I must say I absolutely loved the way you portrayed an indescribable free spirited fantasy. I am currently taking a film class at Harvard, and I hope I can grasp the style and technique you have so expertly mastered.

Comment by Evelyn on 5/13/07 at 10:16 pm

I am utterly stunned at the fact that you were nominated for an oscar at such an early start. I am familiar with some of your films, and I must say I absolutely loved the way you portrayed an indescribable free spirited fantasy. I am currently taking a film class at Harvard, and I hope I can grasp the style and technique you have so expertly mastered.