Watch Seduced and Abandoned

In the 2013 documentary "Seduced and Abandoned," director James Toback and actor Alec Baldwin take on the challenging task of securing financing for a new film project. The film follows Toback and Baldwin as they attend the Cannes Film Festival in search of investors willing to fund their project, a loose remake of "Last Tango in Paris" starring Baldwin and Neve Campbell.

The film opens with Toback and Baldwin discussing their project and their plan to use the Cannes festival as an opportunity to pitch it to potential investors. The two men are clearly excited about the project and have high hopes for its success. They also acknowledge the challenges they will face, given the current economic climate and the difficulty of securing financing for independent films.

As they arrive in Cannes, Toback and Baldwin are confronted with the harsh realities of the film industry. They attend a series of meetings with producers, investors, and studio executives, all of whom express interest in the project but ultimately decline to invest. The men are forced to grapple with the harsh realities of the business, including the fact that even well-respected filmmakers struggle to find funding for their projects.

Throughout the film, Toback and Baldwin offer insightful commentary on the state of the film industry and the challenges faced by independent filmmakers. They speak candidly about the difficulties of securing funding and the compromises that must often be made in order to get a film made. They also address the role of celebrity in the industry, with Baldwin admitting that his name recognition is a key factor in attracting investors.

In addition to their meetings with investors, Toback and Baldwin spend time discussing their project with various actors and filmmakers attending the festival. They meet with Martin Scorsese, Ryan Gosling, and Jessica Chastain, among others. Chastain, who had recently achieved critical acclaim for her role in "Zero Dark Thirty," offers particularly insightful commentary on the industry, the challenges facing women in the film business, and the importance of taking creative risks.

The film uses these conversations to explore a variety of themes related to the entertainment industry. Toback and Baldwin discuss the importance of risk-taking in filmmaking, the challenges of finding meaningful work as an actor, and the ways in which celebrity can both help and hinder a career. They also offer commentary on the Cannes festival itself, with Baldwin noting the stark contrast between the glamorous red carpet events and the struggles faced by independent filmmakers trying to secure funding.

Ultimately, "Seduced and Abandoned" is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the challenges facing independent filmmakers in the 21st century. Toback and Baldwin offer insightful commentary on a variety of industry-related topics, and the film provides a fascinating glimpse into the often-uneasy relationship between celebrity, art, and commerce. Although the film does not come to a definitive conclusion about the nature of the industry, it does offer a nuanced and compelling look at the challenges and struggles faced by those who seek to create meaningful art in a complex and ever-changing world.

Seduced and Abandoned is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 77.