The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon

By August of the same year, Chabon announced that the project had fallen apart, sadly writing, 'Ah, well. In early 2000, independent filmmaker Jon Sherman (writer and director of 1996's Breathing Room) adapted Chabon's novel into a screenplay, hoping to film it with Jason Schwartzman in the role of Art Bechstein. Nick Nolte as Joe Bechstein: Art's father is a Jewish gangster, who is disappointed with his son's choices and would like him to become a stockbroker.Įarlier attempts to bring Pittsburgh to the big screen failed, including Chabon's own attempt to adapt his novel.

In the novel, she is one of the main romantic interests along with Arthur, but her role is greatly reduced in the film.

Mena Suvari as Phlox Lombardi: A strange girl who works at the book shop, who becomes romantically involved with Art.

In the novel, Cleveland is entirely heterosexual but, in adapting the film, he became merged with the homosexual character Arthur Lecomte, one of the novel's key love interests.

Peter Sarsgaard as Cleveland Arning: Jane's rebellious bisexual boyfriend, with whom Art becomes involved.

In the novel, Jane is a minor character but is elevated to leading lady in Thurber's adaptation.

Sienna Miller as Jane Bellwether: Cleveland's girlfriend.

Jon Foster as Art Bechstein: The well-mannered, intelligent son of a Jewish gangster who gets caught up in a tangled love triangle with Jane and Cleveland.

Set in 1980s Pittsburgh, the film follows the affairs of two young men with one woman, and later also with each other. It made its world premiere in January 2008 at the Sundance Film Festival. Shooting in Pittsburgh ended in October 2006, with the film set for release in 2008. It was produced by Michael London and executive produced by Omar Amanat.

The film was written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a 2008 comedy-drama film based on Michael Chabon's 1988 novel of the same name.

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon