‘Ivansxtc’ is a 2000 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich set in the fast-paced, hedonistic world of Hollywood. Directed by Bernard Rose, it is a scathing critique of the entertainment industry, wealth, and self-destruction, shot in a cinéma vérité style that enhances its raw, documentary-like feel.
The film opens with the sudden death of Ivan Beckman (Danny Huston), a high-powered Hollywood talent agent known for his relentless ambition and indulgent lifestyle. As the news of his passing spreads, colleagues, friends, and industry insiders react with varying degrees of shock, indifference, and opportunism. The film immediately sets a cynical tone, exposing the hollowness of Hollywood’s social circles.
The film then falls into a flashback highlighting Ivan’s rise and excesses leading to this moment.
The flashback traces the final days of Ivan’s life. At the height of his career, Ivan is a key player in the entertainment business, representing some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Despite his professional success, Ivan’s personal life is a mess. He is deeply entrenched in the culture of drugs, parties, and casual relationships. His primary romantic entanglement is with Charlotte White (Lisa Enos), an actress with whom he shares a toxic and emotionally detached relationship. His world is one of excess—lavish parties, rampant cocaine use, and the hollow pursuit of status.
Amidst his high-flying lifestyle, Ivan receives devastating news: he has terminal lung cancer. This revelation shatters his facade of invincibility. As he grapples with his diagnosis, his relationships begin to crumble. His colleagues, including his boss Barry Oaks (Adam Krentzman), treat him with insincere sympathy while maneuvering to take advantage of his fading influence.
Marie Stein (Joanna Going), a woman from Ivan’s past, emerges as one of the few genuine connections in his life. However, even she cannot fully penetrate the emotional armor he has built over years of cynicism and self-destruction.
As his condition worsens, Ivan becomes increasingly isolated. His drug use spirals further out of control, and he begins to lose his grip on reality. His once-loyal associates distance themselves, unwilling to face his impending death. Hollywood, a place where appearances and power mean everything, has no room for weakness or vulnerability.
In his final moments, Ivan is left alone, abandoned by the industry and the people who once surrounded him. The film closes on a bleak yet contemplative note, mirroring Tolstoy’s original tale of existential reckoning.
‘Ivansxtc’ is a dark, introspective look at Hollywood’s superficiality and the emptiness that often accompanies success. Danny Huston delivers a powerhouse performance, capturing the tragic downfall of a man with everything except meaning in his life.
The film’s digital cinematography and improvisational dialogue add to its raw, unfiltered aesthetic. It remains a harrowing commentary on fame, mortality, and the true cost of living in excess.
The Other Cinema 