The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Tyne Daly, Samantha Mathis and William Hurt in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Arnita (Tyne Daly) with Mae (Samantha Mathis) and Edward (William Hurt).

The house was central to the story, literally and aesthetically. I used a strict pallette that was established by the decor of the house. This added a real sense of belonging to the characters.

I used a lot of original clothing for Mae (Samantha Mathis) and Edward (William Hurt). Note Mae’s original ’20s Egret feather spray.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Cindy Crawford and Harry Connick, Jr. in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Sandra (Cindy Crawford) was totally urban and slick. Rick (Harry Connick, Jr.) was a craftman. They were from different worlds but I tried to make them aligned using colour and texture.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Lynn Redgrave in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Catherine (Lynn Redgrave) was the great-granddaughter of the ghost Edward. She is the matriarch of the house. Catherine is in crisis. I express this in her wardrobe by contrasting warm, tactile colours and textures with colder colours and harder shapes.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Lynn Redgrave in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Catherine (Lynn Redgrave) was the great-granddaughter of the ghost Edward. She is the matriarch of the house. Catherine is in crisis. I express this in her wardrobe by contrasting warm, tactile colours and textures with colder colours and harder shapes.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Lynn Redgrave in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Catherine (Lynn Redgrave) was the great-granddaughter of the ghost Edward. She is the matriarch of the house. Catherine is in crisis. I express this in her wardrobe by contrasting warm, tactile colours and textures with colder colours and harder shapes.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Samantha Mathis in The Simian Line [2000]

Costumes from the Film ‘The Simian Line’

Mae (Samantha Mathis), the flapper ghost from the twenties, moves in because of the racket being created next door. She wears some gorgeous original ’20’s underwear, and a beautiful, Asian-style robe.

The Simian Line [2000]

June 22, 2015 / no comments

Tim Chappel, Costume Design: Samantha Morton and William Hurt in The Simian Line [2000]

Cast: Lynn Redgrave, William Hurt, Tyne Daly, Eric Stoltz, Cindy Crawford, Harry Conick Jr., Jamey Sheridan, Samantha Mathis, Monica Keena and Jeremy Bruno

“The Simian Line” is a beautifully crafted gem of a film. Produced and directed by Linda Yellen, this unscripted independent was shot—entirely on location in Brooklyn—in three weeks and, except for a basic story structure, was completely improvised.

If you ever have the opportunity to watch it—do! The performances from this all-star cast are fresh and alive, which is ironic as the two central characters are ghosts.