Harvard Man 2002
Directed by
James Toback
Made by
Cowboy Pictures
Plot Summary
The story centers around Alan Jensen, a talented point guard attending Harvard University, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a catastrophic tornado destroys his parents’ home. In his desperate quest to raise $100,000 for rebuilding, Alan’s girlfriend, Cindy Bandolini, introduces an outrageous plan inspired by her father’s connections to organized crime. She persuades Alan to purposely lose a game, assuring him that her father will cover the costs. Unbeknownst to him, Cindy also reaches out to Teddy Carter and Kelly Morgan, undercover FBI agents, seeking assistance to fund this risky scheme.
Choosing to throw the game spirals Alan’s life into chaos. To heighten his experience, he ingests an astonishing 15,000 micrograms of LSD, launching him into a nightmarish yet vibrant psychedelic journey filled with morphing visuals as he attempts to evade Carter’s relentless pursuit. Meanwhile, Cindy unwittingly finds herself ensnared in Morgan’s schemes.
Caught in this perilous web, Alan grapples with multiple threats: the disorienting effects of his drug trip, the dogged investigation from the FBI agents, and the looming threat from organized criminals. Just as hope dwindles, Alan’s other girlfriend, Chesney Cort, a philosophy lecturer and his confidant, steps in to assist him. She not only leads him to a physician who can neutralize the psychedelic effects but also reveals her convoluted connections with both Carter and Morgan—a relationship fraught with passionate entanglements.
Armed with pivotal photographic evidence, Alan finally manages to liberate himself from his predicament. However, the conclusion of the film leaves an unsettling hint about the long-term consequences he might face: a potential diagnosis of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), resulting in ongoing visual disturbances reminiscent of his initial experience with LSD. As he photographs a young boy in a park, he witnesses the child’s face morphing, leading him back to his poignant exchanges with Sandy, whose lingering words resonate: “Sometimes it never ends.” The boy reassures him with “Everything’s okay,” to which Alan cautiously responds, “I hope you’re right.” The scene culminates with a close-up of his dilated eyes, serving as a haunting reminder of the enduring impact of his choices.
Timeline
Alan's Life Changes
Alan Jensen, a skilled point guard, attends Harvard University and leads a promising life. However, everything shifts dramatically when a catastrophic tornado destroys his parents' home, leaving him desperate for funds to rebuild.
The Outrageous Plan
In a bid to raise $100,000 for repairs, Alan's girlfriend, Cindy Bandolini, proposes an outrageous scheme inspired by her father's connections to organized crime. She persuades Alan to intentionally lose a basketball game, claiming her father will cover the costs.
FBI Agents Get Involved
Unbeknownst to Alan, Cindy contacts Teddy Carter and Kelly Morgan, who are undercover FBI agents. Seeking assistance for her risky scheme, she entangles Alan in a dangerous situation that escalates quickly.
Throwing the Game
Alan decides to throw the game, initiating a whirlwind of chaos in his life. This choice not only affects his future but also draws unwanted attention from the FBI, complicating his already precarious situation.
The Psychedelic Experience
To further immerse himself in the experience, Alan ingests an astonishing 15,000 micrograms of LSD. This sends him into a nightmarish yet vibrant journey filled with morphing visuals and intense paranoia as he tries to evade his pursuers.
Cindy's Struggles
While Alan is caught in his psychedelic trip, Cindy becomes ensnared in Morgan's schemes. She unintentionally complicates matters as the undercover investigation tightens around them, revealing deeper dangers ahead.
Alan's Multiple Threats
As Alan grapples with the disorienting effects of his drug trip, he faces relentless pressure from the FBI agents chasing him and the looming threat posed by organized criminals. The pressure mounts as he realizes the depth of his predicament.
Chesney's Arrival
Just when hope seems lost, Alan's other girlfriend, Chesney Cort, steps in to help. As a philosophy lecturer and his confidant, she provides him with vital support and guidance through his chaotic experience.
Seeking Help
Chesney leads Alan to a physician capable of neutralizing the effects of LSD. During this time, she reveals her complicated connections with Carter and Morgan, shedding light on the entangled nature of their relationships.
The Turning Point
With pivotal photographic evidence in hand, Alan takes decisive action to liberate himself from the chaos surrounding him. This evidence becomes crucial in navigating out of both the criminal and FBI entanglements that engulf him.
Ominous Future
After escaping his predicament, a sense of uncertainty looms over Alan. The film hints at the long-term effects he might face, including a potential diagnosis of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
The Park Encounter
In a reflective moment, Alan photographs a young boy in the park, experiencing a moment of déjà vu as the child's face morphs in front of him. This encounter triggers memories of his poignant exchanges with Sandy, echoing the lasting impact of his choices.
Final Exchange
As Alan engages with the boy, their conversation touches on themes of reassurance and acceptance. The boy's comforting words remind Alan of his struggles, leading to a cautious yet hopeful response from him.
Enduring Effects
The scene culminates in a haunting close-up of Alan's dilated eyes, symbolizing the enduring impact of his experiences. The unresolved nature of his journey leaves viewers pondering the long-term consequences of his choices.
Characters
Alan Jensen (Adrian Grenier)
Alan Jensen is a talented and ambitious basketball player whose life is turned upside down by personal tragedy and the dark choices he makes to solve his problems. His character grapples with significant ethical dilemmas, showcasing a struggle between ambition and morality. As the story unfolds, Alan's descent into chaos reveals his vulnerabilities and the consequences of his decisions.
Cindy Bandolini
Cindy Bandolini is a determined and manipulative character who introduces Alan to the idea of throwing a game to extract money for rebuilding his parents’ home. Her motivations reflect the pressures of desperation and misguided loyalty. As the plot thickens, her role complicates, highlighting her unintended entanglement in the criminal world and the deception surrounding her choices.
Chesney Cort
Chesney Cort serves as Alan's confidant and philosophically inclined girlfriend, providing support during his tumultuous experiences. Her role becomes crucial as she helps Alan navigate the aftermath of his choices while revealing insights about her own complex relationships with law enforcement. Chesney represents a voice of reason amidst the chaos and symbolizes the potential for compassion.
Setting
Time period
While the specific year is not mentioned, the story takes place in contemporary times when college sports and issues relating to organized crime are quite prevalent. The narrative explores modern themes such as ethical dilemmas and the impact of drug use among students.
Location
Harvard University
Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a prestigious institution known for its academic excellence and rich history. The campus features neo-Georgian architecture and beautiful green spaces. The area was profoundly affected by a catastrophic tornado, which serves as a backdrop for the film's central conflict.
Themes
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Risk
The theme of risk is central to the film, reflecting the high stakes Alan faces as he navigates a dangerous plan concocted by his girlfriend. His decision to throw a game in exchange for financial assistance puts not only his career in jeopardy but also entangles him with the criminal underworld. As he descends into chaos, the palpable tension underscores the consequences of reckless choices.
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Relationships
Relationships play a pivotal role in shaping Alan's decisions and experiences throughout the film. The complexities of his love life, particularly his connection with Cindy and Chesney, illustrate how interpersonal dynamics can lead to unforeseen complications. Their motivations and entanglements highlight the influence of love on personal crises and moral conflicts.
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Perception
The theme of perception is explored through Alan's intense psychedelic experience induced by LSD. As he journeys through vibrant yet nightmarish visuals, the film delves into the fragility of reality and how substances can alter one's perspective. This theme culminates in the unsettling potential of HPPD, showcasing the long-term effects of drug use on one's understanding of the world.
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