The Center of the World

Plot

A couple checks into a suite in Las Vegas. In flashbacks we see that he's a computer whiz on the verge of becoming a dot.com millionaire…

Release Year: 2001

Rating: 5.9/10 (3,101 voted)

Critic's Score: 44/100

Director:
Wayne Wang

Stars: Shane Edelman, Balthazar Getty, Molly Parker

Storyline
A couple checks into a suite in Las Vegas. In flashbacks we see that he's a computer whiz on the verge of becoming a dot.com millionaire, she's a lap dancer at a club. He's depressed, withdrawing from work, missing meetings with investors. He wants a connection, so he offers her $10,000 to spend three nights with him in Vegas, and she accepts with conditions: four hours per night of erotic play, and no penetration. During the days in Vegas, they get to know each other, have fun, meet a friend of hers; at night, at least after the first night, things seem to get complicated. Is mutual attraction stirring? Will they play by their rules? Can it be about more than money?

Writers: Wayne Wang, Miranda July

Cast:

Shane Edelman
–

Porter

Peter Sarsgaard
–

Richard Longman

Molly Parker
–

Florence

Karry Brown
–

Lap Dancer

Alisha Klass
–

Pandora Stripper

Mel Gorham
–

Roxanne

Lisa Newlan
–

Porn Site Woman

Jason McCabe
–

Pete

(as Jason Mccabe Calacanis)

Travis Miljan
–

Dog Owner

Jerry Sherman
–

Old Man

Carla Gugino
–

Jerri

Pat Morita
–

Taxi Driver

Balthazar Getty
–

Brian Pivano

Robert Lefkowitz
–

Motel Manager

John Lombardo
–

Gondolier

Release Date: 18 May 2001

Filming Locations: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Opening Weekend: $67,809
(USA)
(22 April 2001)
(7 Screens)

Gross: $1,096,037
(USA)
(15 July 2001)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible:
When Jerri is yelling at Florence in the hotel room, the crew and equipment are reflected in the mirror.

Quotes:

Florence:
What did you think? That I was falling in love with you?

User Review

Filmic Art in Digital

Rating:

To the best of my knowledge "The Center of the World" was shot on a digital
camera. If this is the case, then that was a very wise choice for the
material and tone of the same. "The Center of the World" is an intellectual
adult's version of "Pretty Woman" (although, I couldn't help but notice a
few similarities to Egoyam's "Exotica"). On the most basic level is where we
leave "Pretty Woman", however. This film is definitely not for all tastes,
but that would be a loss for those folks. "The Center of the World" has a
lot to say about human sexuality, loneliness, and money and the simple link
between them in this modern-age. It's about the loss of human contact and
connection between people in the same room; it's about perception and
misjudgment. Additionally, there's a very primal ritual running through the
sex scenes in this film that speaks volumes about human evolution versus
technological evolution. There's a lot here and I don't want to ruin it for
anyone by continuing my rant.