Leonardo DiCaprio’s Forgotten Film: From Friendship to Fallout
Leonardo DiCaprio’s early indie project Don’s Plum, once meant as a tribute to friends, became mired in controversy and was largely hidden from public view after disputes over its release.
Few contemporary actors have managed to secure a place among the legends of the silver screen, yet Leonardo DiCaprio’s career has seen him join the ranks of the most celebrated names in film history. From his early days, DiCaprio has built an enviable portfolio, featuring acclaimed works such as Titanic, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, Catch Me If You Can, The Revenant, and Django Unchained. His careful selection of roles, often working with renowned directors, has helped him avoid overexposure and maintain a reputation for quality performances. Despite this, his journey through the industry has not been without its missteps, some of which he has been eager to keep out of the spotlight.
Following the lukewarm reception of The Beach, DiCaprio teamed up with friends Tobey Maguire and Kevin Connolly to create Don’s Plum, a low-budget, black-and-white drama. Unlike the grand productions he was known for, this project was a modest affair, focusing on a group of young actors spending a single evening together.
“Don’s Plum was a group of friends saying, ‘Let’s all make a movie…’ In many ways, [it] was a love letter to our friends,”
producer Dale Wheatley explained. The film’s structure, capturing the events of one night, echoed the style of works like Before Sunset and My Dinner With Andre.
Creative Disputes and Legal Battles
However, what began as a friendly collaboration soon turned sour. DiCaprio and Maguire later objected to the film’s release, claiming they had only agreed to participate in a short film, not a feature-length piece. They argued that the final version had been re-edited without their approval. Despite the efforts of director RD Robb and producer David Stutman to bring Don’s Plum to audiences, the film was only ever released in a heavily edited form outside North America. Attempts to make it available online were swiftly halted after legal action from DiCaprio and Maguire.
The reasons behind their determination to suppress the film remain a subject of speculation. The improvisational style of Don’s Plum may have captured moments that felt uncomfortably authentic, potentially affecting how viewers perceived the actors involved. At a time when DiCaprio was already the subject of tabloid scrutiny, he may have been reluctant to release a film in which he appeared to behave in a less-than-flattering manner.
The Legacy of Don’s Plum
While DiCaprio’s filmography is filled with celebrated performances, even his less successful ventures, such as Celebrity or J Edgar, have showcased his talent. Don’s Plum, on the other hand, has largely faded into obscurity, likely by design. The film’s troubled history and limited availability have only added to its mystique, ensuring it remains a little-known chapter in the actor’s otherwise illustrious career.