A 2016 American Biographical Drama written and directed by Jeremy Profe set during the night of John Lennon's death.
The movie stars Richard Kind, Evan Jonigkeit, David Zayas, Devin Ratray, Ashlie Atkinson, Stef Dawson, Adrienne C Moore, and Stephen Spinella.
Tropes for the film:
- Intrepid Reporter: Showing what the trauma team who worked on John Lennon says really did happen on December 8, 1980, includes Alan Weiss as one of these. A hit and run accident on his motorcycle landing him on Roosevelt Hospital with a shattered hip - right outside Lennon's room in the ED. He spends the entire film trying to confirm that it's Lennon in there and get word to his assignment editor - at one point dragging himself down the hall to get to a phone. Weiss confirms this all really happened and there were moments when the film felt like a documentary.
- It Will Never Catch On: In the first few minutes, Alan Weiss reveals he tried for a job on CNN. His assignment editor Phil Bernstein and other co-workers sneer "Why the hell would you want to work for a station that only does the news?" When Alan tries to explain that the 24-hour format enables CNN to cover good stories live, Phil believes no one would care because "they would all be watching Dynasty. (It's implied part of the reason Alan got into his motorcycle accident is that he was pissed over not getting the CNN gig).
- Moment of Silence: This happens with just quiet music as John is put in the police car; Yoko (Karen Tsen Lee) rushes to the window crying "John, John,"; Officer Frank gently pulls her back, says "Are you all right?" and as Yoko nods, "Okay. Come on".
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Nurse Barbara Kammerer does this at the beginning for flirtation purposes. She calls Dr. Halleran to ask for help with a Crossword Puzzle: she has already written in the correct word. In pen.Nurse Sato: Playin' dumb always worked for me.
- Silent Conversation: When the backup police arrive at the Dakota, Cullen tells them what's going on and as they head for the vestibule, he stops Moran and the viewer can see him say "It's John Lennon". There is just quiet music as John is put in the police car; Yoko rushes to the window crying "John, John" as Officer Claire Frank holds her; a moment later Frank asks "Are you all right?" and as Yoko nods, "Okay. Come on".
- Your Mom: In the opening moments, WABC producer Alan Weiss tells his newsroom manager Bernstein he has a hot date, Phil rags him about his Freddie Mercury appearance, and he snaps back "I'll have your mother home by - what, is 1:00 good?" He then asks Phil to lend him $20, and Phil says, "Is that all my mother's worth?".
