SCRANTON -- A movie that has been the source of controversy in Lackawanna County for more than a decade will finally be seen.
"The Trouble with Cali" was paid for partially with Lackawanna County taxpayer money and turned out not to be the investment some hoped it would be. Now the only return taxpayers will get is a free screening of the movie.
Back in 2005, Lackawanna County officials gave Paul Sorvino $500,000 to produce the film in the county. That's where the controversy started and only grew as years went by.
Now, the wait is almost over and many will see what kind of film the county invested in.
Tickets are getting snatched up quickly as many in Lackawanna County are ready to see the film scheduled for three showings at the Scranton Cultural Center.
Elizabeth Ceres with the Albright Memorial Library said Wednesday the library had already given out three-quarters of the tickets that were available.
"They called ahead when they understood that the movie was going to be here and we reserved for a lot of people. We put them in envelopes and saved them for them," Ceres said.
"There's a part of me that is very interested in seeing it. I will see it," said Jeff Scanlon of Scranton.
While Scanlon wants to see what his tax dollars bought, it is still a sore spot for him.
"The mistake was made when a county was getting involved in a film industry that they didn't have the wherewithal to be involved in," Scanlon added.
"I just thought it was the silliest thing you can possibly do. I mean the area needs so much financially and you just give somebody money for a movie?" said Robert McHale of Scranton.
About 1,800 people will be able to pile into the theater for three showings of "The Trouble with Cali." John Cardoni, the director of the Cultural Center, said with a 10-year wait and all the controversy surrounding this movie, he expects a packed house for the first night.
"Because this was such a central news story for so long, we think we're going to have a really large turnout. All the more important reason for people to have tickets for Thursday," Cardoni said.
Since taxpayers already paid for this movie, tickets are free to see it, but the Cultural Center hopes when people come to watch they still support the center.
"Buy a popcorn and soda because we will make a little money on that. We will also be accepting donations because every little bit helps keep the doors open at this wonderful institution."
While the movie is not rated, it has an NC-17 recommendation, essentially meaning it has the most graphic and sexual content that can be shown to the general public. No one under the age of 17 can see this film.
You will need tickets to get into Thursday night's showing. Tickets are still available and can be picked up at any public library, the Cultural Center, and the Scranton Times Building.
There will also be showings Friday and Saturday with no tickets required.
All shows are set for 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30.
