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Romantic drama

The Center of the World (2001): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Center of the World (2001) movie poster

The Center of the World is a 2001 romantic drama directed by Wayne Wang, starring Molly Parker, Balthazar Getty and Shane Edelman. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Female Lead at the Spirit Awards 2002. Critics gave it 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
worldwide gross
$1.5M
award nomination
1
Metascore
44
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The Center of the World (2001) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Wayne Wang
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Center of the World About?

The premise of The Center of the World without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young man and woman find themselves drawn into an intense and impulsive relationship, seeking pleasure and connection. Their initial desires lead them on a journey where the boundaries between fantasy and reality become increasingly blurred. As their relationship evolves, they confront complex issues of passion, vulnerability, and the unpredictable nature of love and power, ultimately revealing a raw and honest portrayal of the human heart.

The Center of the World Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female stripper
  • lap dance
  • lap dancer
  • topless dancing
  • lifting up dress
  • strip club
  • nude painting
  • sex
  • erotica
  • stripper
  • misogynist
  • object in vagina
+38 more
  • lollipop inserted into vagina
  • vagina
  • female masturbation
  • woman in a bathtub
  • millionaire
  • musician
  • french kiss
  • male female relationship
  • threesome
  • friendship
  • sucking on one's finger
  • trapped in a car
  • ice cube
  • weekend getaway
  • sexual fantasy
  • erotic dance
  • violence against a woman
  • promiscuous woman
  • food in vagina
  • simulated anal sex
  • female nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • sexual intercourse
  • sexual promiscuity
  • female ejaculation
  • independent film
  • male full frontal nudity
  • male pubic hair
  • compact disc
  • rock 'n' roll
  • sadomasochism
  • rescue
  • crying man
  • taxi
  • tabletop
  • sex on the floor
  • scene during opening credits
  • kinky sex
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Cast & crew

The Center of the World Cast

Molly Parker leads the cast, with Balthazar Getty and Shane Edelman. Directed by Wayne Wang.

From the director

More from Wayne Wang

More films directed by Wayne Wang, best-rated first: The Joy Luck Club, Chan Is Missing, Coming Home Again and Smoke.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Center of the World Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Center of the World 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

Plot

The Center of the World Plot Summary

What happens in The Center of the World from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the vibrant, neon-lit world of Las Vegas, a seemingly affluent couple checks into an opulent hotel suite. The man, a brilliant tech entrepreneur on the verge of dot-com success, is accompanied by a sultry lap dancer known for her seductive allure. As they begin to get comfortable, fleeting flashbacks delve into his emotional turmoil: the pressure of impending success has become a heavy burden, leading him to neglect critical investor meetings and retreat from the very realm he used to thrive in.

Full summary

The whole story of The Center of the World, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Center of the World Box Office

The Center of the World grossed $1.5 million worldwide. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $359,343 (25%) from the rest of the world.

2001 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

US & Canada
$1.1M
International
$359.3K
US & Canada 75% Rest of the world 25%
Awards

The Center of the World Awards & Nominations

The Center of the World earned 1 award nomination, including Best Female Lead at the Spirit Awards 2002.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Center of the World?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What city serves as the primary setting for the film?

Details

The Center of the World Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Le Centre du monde” and “O centro do mundo”.

Also known as
  • Le Centre du monde
  • O centro do mundo
  • 센터 오브 월드
  • The Centre of the World
  • Macht der Begierde
  • Dünyanın Merkezi
  • 世界中心
  • מרכז העולם
  • Центр мира
  • Το κέντρο του κόσμου
  • A világ közepe
  • Střed světa
+3 more
  • Centrum świata
  • O Preço da Fantasia
  • Centrul lumii

Seen The Center of the World?

FAQ

The Center of the World FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Center of the World, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Center of the World?

The Center of the World runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The Center of the World released?

The Center of the World was released on April 18, 2001.

Who directed The Center of the World?

The Center of the World was directed by Wayne Wang.

More films by Wayne Wang

Who is in the cast of The Center of the World?

The Center of the World stars Molly Parker, Balthazar Getty and Shane Edelman.

How much did The Center of the World make at the box office?

The Center of the World grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $359,343 international).

How is The Center of the World rated?

The Center of the World has 5.8/10 on IMDb and 44 on Metacritic.

Was The Center of the World nominated for any awards?

The Center of the World received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Center of the World have a post-credit scene?

No. The Center of the World has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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