Albino Alligator (1996)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Kevin Spacey

Writer:

Christian Forte (writer)

Release Date:

17 January 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Deliberate sacrifice for deliberate gain.

Plot:

While escaping from a foiled robbery attempt, three thieves find themselves surrounded by police at a New Orleans bar--only they're not the people the police are searching for.

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Police | Hostage | New Orleans | Single Set Production

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Matt Dillon	...	Dova
Faye Dunaway	...	Janet Boudreaux
Gary Sinise	...	Milo
William Fichtner	...	Law
Viggo Mortensen	...	Guy Foucard
John Spencer	...	Jack
Skeet Ulrich	...	Danny Boudreaux
Frankie Faison	...	Agent Marv Rose
Melinda McGraw	...	Jenny Ferguson
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Dino
Joe Mantegna	...	A.T.F. Agent G.D. Browning
Doug Spinuzza	...	Agent #1
Spencer Garrett	...	Agent #2
Enrico Colantoni	...	Agent #3
Tulsy Ball	...	A.T.F. Agent

Also Known As:

Albino Alligator (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Germany:16 | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Albino Alligator Productions

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Kevin Spacey]ATF agent giving pointing out Agent Browning to TV newswoman

Goofs:

Factual errors: Because of the city's proximity to sea level, it is difficult, if not impossible to have underground (basement) dwellings in New Orleans.

Quotes:

Dova: Hey, you want to make us some coffee?
Law: Do I look like your bitch?

Movie Connections:

References Dead Reckoning (1947)

Not a lot to show for so much talent

With so much talent aboard this could have been great cinema. That it's not is due to an unsure screenplay, lacking in credibility, though not lacking in promise. The story in itself, if tightened up, could have been riveting. But despite the actor's efforts, "Albino Alligator" fails to deliver the goods. By the end (which in itself is powerful), one has become a bit tired of it all.

Spacey was obviously drawn to the clear theatricality of much of the action taking place on one set, in effect on one stage. It's hence very talky and stagy, though Spacey is careful to keep the camera moving in interesting ways. The few outdoors scenes too are shot with great visual style. Combining a keen eye, together with his understanding of actors and acting, Spacey will probably at some point bring his directorial talents to fruition. Hopefully he will be more fortunate as far as a suitable screenplay is concerned.

Matt Dillon in the lead does a fair job. As is often the case with him, he manages some moments of excellence, but on the whole is capable rather than brilliant. (He sustained an exceptional performance is the "Saint of Fort Washington" and surprised many with "Drugstore Cowboy".). It's as if there is a depth to him which he seems to have a lot of trouble reaching. There is a brief scene in "Albino Alligator" in which he talks to himself in a facing mirror. It's a moment which reveals those depths which so often seem to elude him.

The other players do as well as one would expect. Gary Sinise is superb as Dillon's elder brother, William Fichtner is truly edgy and sinister and Faye Dunaway's bartender has a ring of truth to it.

Despite all this talent and a story with possibilities, this is not one to seek out.