A Stranger Among Us (1992)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writer (WGA):

Robert J. Avrech (written by)

Release Date:

17 July 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In a dangerous world of mystery and intrigue, she's going undercover searching for the truth.

Plot:

In this attempt to revisit the success of Witness in which a cop goes Amish, we here have a cop go undercover among the Hasidic Jews of New York City...

Plot Keywords:

Undercover | Murder | Rabbi | Police | Jewish

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Melanie Griffith	...	Emily Eden
John Pankow	...	Levine
Tracy Pollan	...	Mara
Lee Richardson	...	Rebbe
Mia Sara	...	Leah
Jamey Sheridan	...	Nick
Eric Thal	...	Ariel
David Margulies	...	Lt. Oliver
Burtt Harris	...	Emily's Father
James Gandolfini	...	Tony Baldessari
Chris Latta	...	Chris Baldessari
Jake Weber	...	Yaakov Klausman
Ro'ee Levi	...	Mendel
David Rosenbaum	...	Mr. Klausman
Ruth Vool	...	Mrs. Klausman

Also Known As:

Close to Eden (Australia) (UK) (cable TV title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Brazil:14 | USA:R (original rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

83rd Precinct, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Hollywood Pictures

Trivia:

James Gandolfini's film/television debut.

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of Melanie's handbag when she visits her father.

Quotes:

Ariel: I got a hot flash for you. Sex is nice.
Emily Eden: Sex is nice... How would you know?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent: A Murderer Among Us (#3.7)" (2003)

Can't understand comments

Most comments refer to this as some kind of Witness rip-off. Sorry - just don't agree. Going 'undercover' in another culture was not patented by Witness. The parallels are just not there - so who was the 'Witness, in SAU? That's just one question. Then again if one has only 5 pigeon holes (or less) to file films into - then go ahead.

MG was just fine in the film - her voice is always going to be with her - and she's made it through 100 roles already with it.

The portrayal of the Hassidim was surely an education for many.

The 'background filming' was good - even as a born New Yorker - got to see some new 'shots'

The plot was there - but jumpy - I doubt very many predicted the killers - but did wonder why accomplices not revealed.

Sure there were inconsistencies and illogical stuff - but not any more than the bloody Crichton films which most of the time require you have to forget you have a brain - yet take themselves VERY seriously. SAU was not written as a documentary - it's overall flow was there - AND very much enjoyable.