F/X (1986)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Robert Mandel

Writers:

Robert T. Megginson (written by) &
Gregory Fleeman (written by)

Release Date:

7 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Murder by Illusion

Plot:

A movie special effects man is hired to fake a real-life mob killing for a witness protection plan, but finds his own life in danger.

Plot Keywords:

Special Effects | Murder | Witness Protection | New York | Police

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Bryan Brown	...	Roland 'Rollie' Tyler
Brian Dennehy	...	Lt. Leo McCarthy
Diane Venora	...	Ellen
Cliff De Young	...	Lipton
Mason Adams	...	Col. Mason
Jerry Orbach	...	Nicholas DeFranco
Joe Grifasi	...	Mickey
Martha Gehman	...	Andy
Roscoe Orman	...	Capt. Wallenger
Trey Wilson	...	Lt. Murdoch
Tom Noonan	...	Varrick
Paul D'Amato	...	Gallagher
Jossie DeGuzman	...	Marisa Velez (as Jossie deGuzman)
Jean De Baer	...	Whitemore
M'el Dowd	...	Joyce Lehman (Miss Lehman) (as M'eL Dowd)

Also Known As:

F/X - Murder by Illusion
Murder by Illusion

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1986) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Spain:T | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Dodi Fayed - Jack Wiener

Trivia:

A movie poster for Zombi 2 (1979) is seen hanging up in Rollie Tyler's apartment in several scenes. Also, the film Poor Albert and Little Annie (1972) is mentioned (refered to by its alternate title 'I Dismember Mama').

Goofs:

Continuity: In Tyler's apartment, when Tyler offers Lipton coffee, the pot is brewing and is over half full. In next shot, when Tyler goes to pour the coffee, the pot is still brewing but is only about 1/8th full.

Quotes:

Andy: [after Rollie has driven off without her] They'll kill you! And if they don't, I will!

Movie Connections:

References Fade to Black (1980)

Soundtrack:

THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL

Special effects in New York City

A movie special effects man is running for his life in "F/X," a 1986 film starring Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Jerry Orbach, and Mason Adams. Strangely enough, the movie also features two actresses from my alma mater, Diana Venora and Josie de Guzman.

Rollie Tyler (Brown) takes on a rush job for the government - they want it to look as if their primo informant (Orbach) has been murdered to take the danger out of getting him to the courtroom and protecting him afterward. But like Rollie's work, things aren't what they seem, and Rollie finds himself on the run.

Despite its name, F/X isn't a big movie, and the special effects are things you can see on any television show. What makes it unique is the way Rollie uses his wits and skill to elude those after him. One of the most exciting scenes occurs as Rollie, in his F/X van, careens through the streets of New York, using every trick he knows to get away from the police. Not your average car chase.

Australian actor Bryan Brown, who achieved fame and a beautiful wife from the miniseries "The Thorn Birds" is terrific as the desperate Rollie. Brian Dennehy plays a rogue cop - he's funny and effective, and the late Jerry Orbach, whose career spanned stage, films, and television, is the perfect mob informant.

F/X inspired a television show of the same name starring Cameron Daddo and also a sequel. For a little movie, it did quite well, managing to entertain with drama, humor, and thrills. It's a lot of fun.