Playing Mona Lisa
# Playing Mona Lisa

Playing Mona Lisa is a 2000 comedy film directed by Matthew Huffman and starring Alicia Witt, Harvey Fierstein, Johnny Galecki, Elliott Gould, Marlo Thomas, Molly Hagan and Brooke Langton. It is based on a play by Marni Freedman.

## Plot

Everything goes wrong all at once in gifted 23-year-old pianist Claire Goldstein's life. San Francisco has an earthquake, she loses her apartment, her boyfriend Jeremy dumps her and she misses out on an important piano competition.

Claire is forced to move home with her parents (Marlo Thomas, Elliott Gould), where sister Jenine (Molly Hagan) is busy planning a wedding. Claire's mom is into the occult, her teacher (Harvey Fierstein) tries to arrange auditions and friends try to hook her up with a new romantic prospect, Eddie, adding to the complications in her life.

## Cast

| Actor | Role |
| - | - |
| Alicia Witt | Claire Goldstein |
| Harvey Fierstein | Bennett |
| Brooke Langton | Sabrina |
| Johnny Galecki | Arthur |
| Ivan Sergei | Eddie / Carl / Ben |
| Marlo Thomas | Sheila Goldstein |
| Elliott Gould | Bernie Goldstein |
| Tammy Townsend | Alice |
| Molly Hagan | Jenine Goldstein |
| Estelle Harris | Aunt Velva |
| Pat Crawford Brown | Grandma Ida Weinberg |
| Zachary Kranzler | Jeremy |
| Joe Mazza | Barry / Bo |
| Sulo Williams | Manny |
| Sandra Bernhard | Bibi Carlson |

## Production

### Development and writing

Based on Marni Freedman's play Two Goldsteins on Acid.

### Filming

Shot in San Francisco in the spring of 1999.

### Musical score

Composed by Carlos Rodriguez the film's score includes a variety of music. From contemporary songs to classical piano, salsa, and polka.

## Release

Released in San Francisco October 27, 2000.

### Marketing

Shown at Gen Art Film Festival in New York City April 26 - May 2, 2000.

Shown at Stony Brook Film Festival July 19–29, 2000.

Shown at U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado February 9–13, 2000.

## Reception

Fresh rating of 62% from Rotten Tomatoes.

### Awards

Won Audience Choice Award for Best Feature in 2000 at the Stony Brook Film Festival.

Won Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Actor Alicia Witt in 2000 at U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

## Home media

The DVD for the film was released on April 17, 2001.

