Groucho Marx, now there’s a name the world hasn’t heard nearly as often as it should in recent years. More than just the inspiration for some silly mustache glasses that somehow have more staying power than he did, this timeless comedian is one whose story is begging to be told. Fittingly, if the late film legend himself told the story, it would probably just be several hours of him bantering with himself and making fun of the audience. But as perfect as that sounds, it seems somebody in Hollywood had other ideas.
A new biopic is in the works at Cold Iron Pictures from director Oren Moverman and writer Steve Stoliar, focusing on the later years of Marx’s eclectic and not-always-funny life. Based on Stoliar’s memoirRaised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House, the film will starPirates of the Caribbean’s Geoffrey Rushas the aging Marx in a personal look at the legendary comedic actor. Fans of the Marx Brothers' hilarious and classic films may not get what they bargained for here, but they’re sure to learn something new.
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Fittingly titledRaised Eyebrows, Deadline reports the film will also starAmerican Sniper’s Sienna Miller andMoonfall’s Charlie Plummer. Plummer will play Stoliar himself, who spends a year working for an elderly Marx and writing about his experiences. Miller will star as Erin Fleming, Marx’s girlfriend-turned-manager whose apparent takeover of his personal and professional lives is still seen as controversial at best by those familiar with the situation. So while fans will likely see some of the sharp-witted remarks they’ve come to expect from Marx, they should probably strap in for some drama.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor and a responsibility and probably something else to work with this amazing cast on a story I hope will reintroduce the genius of Groucho Marx in a new, provocative, entertaining way all these years later,” Moverman said in a statement. “Steve Stoliar has given the world incredible insight into a bygone era. Done right, we will screw it up royally.” It may be tough to properly articulate just how influential and beloved Marx was, and still is to many. But hopefully this film will help explain his impact oncomedy and entertainmentas a whole to an audience that has become increasingly separated from his important contributions.
Marx, along with his brothers Chico, Harpo, Zeppo, and Gummo (stage names, in case that wasn’t obvious) started out as a vaudeville comedy performer before turning into a household name thanks to his long list of movies as part of the Marx Brothers (which largely only included Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo during the height of their popularity). More than just a name-dropped by Sean Connery inthe 3rdIndiana Jonesfilm, this legendary and iconic comedy team captured the hearts of audiences everywhere through a number of films released in the ’30s. Their penchant for fast-talking banter (perfected by Groucho and Chico) and physical comedy (mostly from the silent Harpo) earned them their status as one of Hollywood’s most treasured comedy acts of all time.
WhileRaised Eyebrowswill primarily focus on Groucho during his later years, perhaps it will also touch upon the comedy team’s golden age at least a little. Audiences deserve to experience the Marx Brothers, and anybody who gets to learn about them for the first time is in a truly enviable position.
