Sydney Pollack

Sydney Irwin Pollack (July 1, 1934 – May 26, 2008) was an American film director, producer and actor. For his film Out of Africa (1985), Pollack won the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture. He was also nominated for Best Director Oscars for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) and Tootsie (1982). Some of his other best-known works include Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way We Were (1973), Three Days of the Condor (1975) and Absence of Malice (1981). His subsequent films included Havana (1990), The Firm (1993), The Interpreter (2005), and he produced and acted in Michael Clayton (2007). Pollack also made appearances in Robert Altman's Hollywood mystery The Player (1992), Woody Allen's relationship drama Husbands and Wives (1993), and Stanley Kubrick's erotic psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Description above from the Wikipedia article Sydney Pollack, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

IntenseThought provokingSuspensefulRomantic

After Dr. Bill Harford's wife, Alice, admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings -- and quickly discovers that he is in over ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Nicole Kidman  •  Madison Eginton  •  Jackie Sawiris

After Dr. Bill Harford's wife, Alice, admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings -- and quickly discovers that he is in over ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Nicole Kidman  •  Madison Eginton  •  Jackie Sawiris

A Civil Action (1998)

Jan Schlickmann is a cynical lawyer who goes out to 'get rid of' a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything—including his career and his clients' goals—in order ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Zaillian
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Robert Duvall  •  Tony Shalhoub  •  William H. Macy

Jan Schlickmann is a cynical lawyer who goes out to 'get rid of' a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything—including his career and his clients' goals—in order ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Zaillian
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Robert Duvall  •  Tony Shalhoub  •  William H. Macy

Absence of Malice (1981)

Thought provokingPowerfulMind blowingClever

Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Paul Newman  •  Sally Field  •  Bob Balaban  •  Melinda Dillon

Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was allegedly committed—but it involves an innocent party. When he tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Paul Newman  •  Sally Field  •  Bob Balaban  •  Melinda Dillon

Changing Lanes (2002)

A rush-hour fender-bender on New York City's crowded FDR Drive, under most circumstances, wouldn't set off a chain reaction that could decimate two people's lives. But on this day, at this time, a minor collision will turn two complete strangers into vicious ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roger Michell
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Kim Staunton  •  Toni Collette

A rush-hour fender-bender on New York City's crowded FDR Drive, under most circumstances, wouldn't set off a chain reaction that could decimate two people's lives. But on this day, at this time, a minor collision will turn two complete strangers into vicious ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roger Michell
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Kim Staunton  •  Toni Collette

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once arch-rival Helen's fiance. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Bruce Willis  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Isabella Rossellini

Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once arch-rival Helen's fiance. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the introduction of a magic potion causes things to be a great deal more ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Bruce Willis  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Isabella Rossellini

Husbands and Wives (1992)

When Jack and Sally announce that they're splitting up, this comes as a shock to their best friends Gabe and Judy. Maybe mostly because they also are drifting apart and are now being made aware of it. So while Jack and Sally try to go on and meet new people, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Woody Allen
CAST:  Woody Allen  •  Mia Farrow  •  Sydney Pollack  •  Liam Neeson

When Jack and Sally announce that they're splitting up, this comes as a shock to their best friends Gabe and Judy. Maybe mostly because they also are drifting apart and are now being made aware of it. So while Jack and Sally try to go on and meet new people, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Woody Allen
CAST:  Woody Allen  •  Mia Farrow  •  Sydney Pollack  •  Liam Neeson

Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

A mountain man who wishes to live the life of a hermit becomes the unwilling object of a long vendetta by Indians when he proves to be the match of their warriors in one-to-one combat on the early frontier.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Will Geer  •  Delle Bolton  •  Josh Albee

A mountain man who wishes to live the life of a hermit becomes the unwilling object of a long vendetta by Indians when he proves to be the match of their warriors in one-to-one combat on the early frontier.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Will Geer  •  Delle Bolton  •  Josh Albee

Out of Africa (1985)

Out of Africa tells the story of the life of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Karen Blixen from 1937.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Robert Redford  •  Klaus Maria Brandauer  •  Michael Kitchen

Out of Africa tells the story of the life of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Karen Blixen from 1937.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Robert Redford  •  Klaus Maria Brandauer  •  Michael Kitchen

The Electric Horseman (1979)

A former champion rodeo rider is reduced to using his saddle skills to promote a breakfast cereal in a gaudy Las Vegas show. When he's asked to perform with a $12 million horse that he discovers is being doped to remain docile, he flees into the desert astride the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Jane Fonda  •  Valerie Perrine  •  Willie Nelson

A former champion rodeo rider is reduced to using his saddle skills to promote a breakfast cereal in a gaudy Las Vegas show. When he's asked to perform with a $12 million horse that he discovers is being doped to remain docile, he flees into the desert astride the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Jane Fonda  •  Valerie Perrine  •  Willie Nelson

The Firm (1993)

Mitch McDeere is a young man with a promising future in Law. About to sit his Bar exam, he is approached by 'The Firm' and made an offer he doesn't refuse. Seduced by the money and gifts showered on him, he is totally oblivious to the more sinister side of his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Jeanne Tripplehorn  •  Gene Hackman  •  Hal Holbrook

Mitch McDeere is a young man with a promising future in Law. About to sit his Bar exam, he is approached by 'The Firm' and made an offer he doesn't refuse. Seduced by the money and gifts showered on him, he is totally oblivious to the more sinister side of his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Jeanne Tripplehorn  •  Gene Hackman  •  Hal Holbrook

The Interpreter (2005)

After Silvia Broome, an interpreter at United Nations headquarters, overhears plans of an assassination, an American Secret Service agent is sent to investigate.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Sean Penn  •  Catherine Keener  •  Jesper Christensen

After Silvia Broome, an interpreter at United Nations headquarters, overhears plans of an assassination, an American Secret Service agent is sent to investigate.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Sean Penn  •  Catherine Keener  •  Jesper Christensen

The Majestic (2001)

Set in 1951, a blacklisted Hollywood writer gets into a car accident, loses his memory and settles down in a small town where he is mistaken for a long-lost son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Darabont
CAST:  Jim Carrey  •  Martin Landau  •  Laurie Holden  •  David Ogden Stiers

Set in 1951, a blacklisted Hollywood writer gets into a car accident, loses his memory and settles down in a small town where he is mistaken for a long-lost son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Darabont
CAST:  Jim Carrey  •  Martin Landau  •  Laurie Holden  •  David Ogden Stiers

The Player (1992)

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Greta Scacchi  •  Fred Ward  •  Whoopi Goldberg

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Greta Scacchi  •  Fred Ward  •  Whoopi Goldberg

The Way We Were (1973)

BoringDepressing

Two desperate people have a wonderful romance, but their political views and convictions drive them apart.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Barbra Streisand  •  Robert Redford  •  Bradford Dillman  •  Lois Chiles

Two desperate people have a wonderful romance, but their political views and convictions drive them apart.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Barbra Streisand  •  Robert Redford  •  Bradford Dillman  •  Lois Chiles

The Yakuza (1974)

Harry Kilmer returns to Japan after several years in order to rescue his friend George's kidnapped daughter - and ends up on the wrong side of the Yakuza, the notorious Japanese mafia.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Mitchum  •  Ken Takakura  •  Brian Keith  •  Herb Edelman

Harry Kilmer returns to Japan after several years in order to rescue his friend George's kidnapped daughter - and ends up on the wrong side of the Yakuza, the notorious Japanese mafia.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Mitchum  •  Ken Takakura  •  Brian Keith  •  Herb Edelman

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Michael Sarrazin  •  Susannah York  •  Gig Young

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Michael Sarrazin  •  Susannah York  •  Gig Young

This Property Is Condemned (1966)

Owen Legate, a railroad official, comes to Dodson, Mississippi to shut down the local railway - the town's main income. But Owen unexpectedly finds love with Dodson's flirt and main attraction, Alva Starr.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Natalie Wood  •  Robert Redford  •  Charles Bronson  •  Kate Reid

Owen Legate, a railroad official, comes to Dodson, Mississippi to shut down the local railway - the town's main income. But Owen unexpectedly finds love with Dodson's flirt and main attraction, Alva Starr.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Natalie Wood  •  Robert Redford  •  Charles Bronson  •  Kate Reid

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

A bookish CIA researcher finds all his co-workers dead, and must outwit those responsible until he figures out who he can really trust.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Cliff Robertson  •  Max von Sydow

A bookish CIA researcher finds all his co-workers dead, and must outwit those responsible until he figures out who he can really trust.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Faye Dunaway  •  Cliff Robertson  •  Max von Sydow

Tootsie (1982)

Thought provokingFunnyRomanticBrilliant

When struggling, out of work actor Michael Dorsey secretly adopts a female alter ego - Dorothy Michaels - in order to land a part in a daytime drama, he unwittingly becomes a feminist icon and ends up in a romantic pickle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Dustin Hoffman  •  Jessica Lange  •  Teri Garr  •  Dabney Coleman

When struggling, out of work actor Michael Dorsey secretly adopts a female alter ego - Dorothy Michaels - in order to land a part in a daytime drama, he unwittingly becomes a feminist icon and ends up in a romantic pickle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Dustin Hoffman  •  Jessica Lange  •  Teri Garr  •  Dabney Coleman

Sabrina (1995)

FunnyRomanticCharming

An ugly duckling having undergone a remarkable change, still harbors feelings for her crush: a carefree playboy, but not before his business-focused brother has something to say about it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Julia Ormond  •  Greg Kinnear  •  Angie Dickinson

An ugly duckling having undergone a remarkable change, still harbors feelings for her crush: a carefree playboy, but not before his business-focused brother has something to say about it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sydney Pollack
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Julia Ormond  •  Greg Kinnear  •  Angie Dickinson
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