Lime Juice

Authors: Jack
Location: Connecticut

"Lime Juice"

Directed by Robert Altman
Written by David Hare
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Limes as Themselves
Halle Berry as Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt
Ken Watanabe as Emperor Wu of Han China
Adam Beach as Emperor Acamapichtli of the Aztecs
Samantha Morton as Mary, Queen of Scots
Temuera Morrison as Potatau I of the Maori
Cree Summer as a Lime
Joaquin Phoenix as a Lime
Cher as a Lime
Michael Clarke Duncan as a lime

Tagline: "They observed"

Synopsis: Five monarchs from five different continents at five different times are observed by the limes on trees in their courts. The first story involves Hatshepsut (Halle Berry) in her struggle to be taken as seriously as a male Pharaoh. The next story concentrates on Emperor Wu of Han China (Ken Watanabe) and his military campaigns which greatly expanded China's influence, but his early life, reign and decisions were dominated by his mother and grandmother. His later reign saw him abusing his power and becoming increasingly paranoid, executing many generals on charges of witchcraft. The third story is about Acamapichtli (Adam Beach), Emperor of the Aztecs. He was born into a noble family, and was given the position of governor at 20, and soon given the throne. Acamapichtli saw his city rapidly fell into the foreign orbit and became a vassal of another country. He took back control of the city and improved the architecture and agriculture. The fourth story concerns young Mary, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) struggling to control her life while being married the Dauphin (and later king), Prince François, and living in the royal court of France while balancing two crowns. The last story is about the first Maori King, Potatau I (Temuera Morrison). Born a child of two important Maori chieftains, he was heavily involved in tribal warring in his early years. In the 1850's, a movement to unite the Maori people began. Potatau was been selected as King by a meeting of chiefs. His reign saw cooperation with other governments, pomp, and extravagance. He died in a time of peace.

What the press would say:

In a movie on par with The Hours and If These Walls Could Talk, the lives of five monarchs are seen through the point of view of limes. The monarchs are played brilliantly and dramatically by five talented actors. The limes add their quips and thoughts throughout the movie, voiced by some very talented and well known actors. They add a light touch to a poignant and dramatic film. The performances are a breath of fresh air, with new takes on what the royalty thought and said during times of strife. Lime Juice is a new and inventive film, the likes of which Hollywood has never seen.

Awards Potential :

Best Picture
Best Actress (Morton, Berry)
Best Actor (Watanabe, Beach, Morrison)
Best Original Screenplay (David Hare)
Best Director (Robert Altman)