Eric Bogosian is an American actor and writer who is well known for his work ability to change character roles rapidly on stage. His writing style has become popular because readers are able to relate to his skillful accounting of the content which leans heavily on social realism and dark humor. He is credited with writing several brilliant movie scripts worth checking out if you’re not yet familiar with them. Here are five of his best works for your consideration.
“Talk Radio” (1988)
Eric wrote this play as well as starring in the lead role in the play and eventual film. His character is a rude and snarky radio talk show host who is faced with the possibility of immense success. Oliver Stone directs Bogosian along with Leslie Hope and Ellen Green. Although his show is soon to be picked up on a popular national radio station network, his life is not all roses. He must struggle with a rocky love life, suspicions about the network wanting to tamper with his show, and the angry people in the audience that he has riled with his crude and unfeeling comments. Eric won a Silver Bear award for the screenplay.
“SubUrbia” (1996)
Bogosian wrote the play and screenplay for the two hour drama film which was released in the United States in early 1997. It was originally written as a theater play. The movie starred Giovanni Ribisi, Steve Zahn and Jayce Bartok as part of a group of five young men who are considered by society to be losers. They’re vagrants who don’t do much with their lives with the exception of an occasional comment about becoming somebody one day. Their lives change when one of their old high school friends shows up for a visit. He had actually gone out into the world and made a name for himself in the pop scene. “SubUrbia” is a brilliant commentary on the youth who waste time because of a lack of motivation and confidence. Interestingly, Bogosian used his hometown of Woburn, MA. for the basis of the fictional setting for the movie or Burnfield, Texas.
“Born in Flames” (1983)
This work is especially brilliant because of its hard hitting content. The documentary film addresses social issues including sexism, classism and others. It received acclaim at the Berlin Film Festival. This was also the film in which Bogosian made his first appearance on screen. From this point, he went on to pursue other roles in acting.
“High Incident” (1996-97)
Bogosian is the writer and creator of this crime/drama television series. Although it didn’t make it past the first 32 episodes, Eric maintained his trademark writing style which has become recognizable for all who are familiar with his work. The drama presented the officers of the El Camino Police Department and took us into the depths of the characters. It was a brilliant exposition of their personal lives as well as their professional duties as they waded full bore into their war on crime.
“Mall” (2014)
Eric Bogosian wrote “Mall” originally as a novel about five suburban residents who are brought together at a shopping mall after Malcolm, a deranged dope addict goes on a shooting spree. The character development of the six main characters is nothing short of perfection. The lives of random people who come together through a chance event are laid out with perfection so viewers know everything there is to know about each character. The writing can be compared to a detailed painting that includes minutia that keeps the viewer interested in looking.
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