In the Soup

According to Emanuel Levy, In the Soup is easily Rockwell's best work, a playful film with darkly comic twists . The well-known critic wasn't alone in his enthusiasm, as evidenced by the Grand Jury Prize that In the Soup received  at the Sundance Festival. It is difficult to say for sure just what constitutes the secret to the success of this story about a novice screenwriter who tries everything he possibly can to bring his latest project to fruition. Is it perhaps that the film is at the same time both a funny and a credible picture of the misery of an independent filmmaker? Or it is perhaps the result of the consequences that Rockwell has repeatedly discussed throughout his career of not being well suited to reality and of passion that can turn into madness at any moment? Might it be due to the outstanding cast, in which Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassel (in the role of the slimiest film producer since Godard's Contempt) play the leads, with Jim Jarmusch himself making a cameo appearance? In the Soup marked a turning point in Rockwell's career, and although the director was later tempted by numerous Hollywood offers, he consistently refused, saying he would prefer a career as a gangster or a drug dealer. Fortunately, Rockwell did not have to take such offers and remained himself, a truly independent and original filmmaker.