Underneath (1995)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers:

Don Tracy (novel)
Steven Soderbergh (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

28 April 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

For passion, betrayal and murder... there's still no place like home.

Plot:

Michael Chambers returns home to celebrate his mother's marriage. Michael had been ousted from his home...

Plot Keywords:

Armored Car | Hitman | Professional Hit | Pool Table | Pool Hall

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter Gallagher	...	Michael Chambers
Alison Elliott	...	Rachel
William Fichtner	...	Tommy Dundee
Adam Trese	...	David Chambers
Joe Don Baker	...	Clay Hinkle
Paul Dooley	...	Ed Dutton
Shelley Duvall	...	Nurse
Elisabeth Shue	...	Susan Crenshaw
Anjanette Comer	...	Mrs. Chambers
Dennis Hill	...	Guard Tom
Harry Goaz	...	Guard Casey
Mark Feltch	...	Guard George
Jules Sharp	...	Hinkle's Assistant
Kenneth D. Harris	...	Mantrap Guard
Vincent Gaskins	...	Michael's Partner

Also Known As:

The Underneath (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence, language and sexuality.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:16 | France:Unrated | Finland:K-16 | Denmark:16 | South Korea:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Populist Pictures

Trivia:

The name 'Jeanette Scott', mentioned during the hospital scene, is actually the name of the film's Set Decorator.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Susan Crenshaw: Are you getting off at Austin?

Movie Connections:

Version of Criss Cross (1949)

Good, interesting thriller.

A charming drifter by the name of Michael (Peter Gallagher) returns home for his mother's wedding. But he decides to see his ex-girlfriend (Allison Elliot), which his feelings for her are unchanged. But his ex-girlfriend is seeing a small time gangster (William Fichtner), which he doesn't like it at all. Michael's stepfather (Paul Dooley) offers him a job to be a security guard to transport money to various banks. He decides to risk his job by making a deal with the gangster, if he could get his ex-love back in his life. But his passion turns into obsession and no one can be trusted.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Kafka, King of the Hill, Out of Sight) made an intriguing, suspense thriller with a sharp performance by Gallagher. Soderbergh has an eye for visual style and some suspenseful moments. Since half of the movie is told in flashbacks. It was very little seen by the public and film critics, when it was release in 1995. Like some of Soderbergh's earlier work, "The Underneath" has a small loyal cult following.

The DVD has an good non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an fine Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The DVD's special features are the original theatrical trailer, cast & filmmakers' bios and more. Fans of Soderbergh's work will enjoy this movie best and especially those who enjoy movies with flashbacks. But the film does takes its time to know the characters, it keeps the viewer interested and it is certainly worth a look. The director also co-wrote the script in a different name. Panavision. (*** 1/2 out of *****).