Loosely based on Tolstoy's the Life and Death of Ivan Ilyich by way of the story of deceased agent Jay Moloney, Ivans xtc is the story of Hollywood player, Ivan Beckman (Danny Huston). An extraordinary shallow individual, Beckman will do anything to succeed in his business. Just as he manages to secure his greatest coup by winning the right to represent the box office star Don West (played viciously by Peter Weller), Ivan learns that he has cancer and reflects on his own pitiful existence. Both a hideously realistic portrait of the narcissism of Hollywood and the awakening of an emotionally sterile individual, Ivans xtc is a powerful and richly detailed piece of work. Shot on digital film, which gives the film a documentary-style feel, Ivans xtc doesn't really shock viewers, it's hardly a surprise to note that those at the top of the Hollywood food chain are not very nice, but it is an extremely watchable, horrifying and darkly comedic affair. Okay, it could be argued that it's impossible to relate to these people and feel any sympathy for them, but like a car crash, this is impossible not to watch.
