Body Count (1998)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Robert Patton-Spruill

Writer (WGA):

Theodore Witcher (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

It was a simple $15 million art heist... until she walked into the picture.

Plot:

A group of thieves attempt to rob an art gallery, but when plans backfire and one of the men winds up dead...

Plot Keywords:

Neo Noir | Lasersight | Murder | Painting | On The Road

Cast

David Caruso	...	Hobbs
Linda Fiorentino	...	Natalie
John Leguizamo	...	Chino
Ving Rhames	...	Pike
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Booker
Forest Whitaker	...	Crane
Michael Corrigan	...	Security Officer #1
Richard Fullerton	...	Officer Forrest
Deacon Dawson	...	Proprietor
Rebecca Koon	...	Wife
Juliet Poe	...	Convenience Store Woman #1
James Spruill	...	Special Agent Bradley
Terry Loughlin	...	SWAT Commander Rollins
Duke Ernsberger	...	Special Agent #1
Bill Roberson	...	Prison Guard

Also Known As:

The Split (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Counting Bodies Productions

Quotes:

Pike: The toes you step on today may be attached to the ass you'll be kissing tomorrow.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ray Liotta/The Donnas (#28.10)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

BODY ELECTRIC

Rather basic but still rather good

"Body count" was slightly better than what I was expecting. Good actors, I remember thinking when I saw the cover of a video cassette, but most likely in the incredibly standard and uninteresting crime drama. It was not a masterpiece of any sort, I know, but it certainly wasn't bad, unsuccessful or boring. If you enjoy the peculiar yet effective Quentin Tarantino sort of a way to abandon chronological order of the events this is your thing. "Body count" wouldn't probably exist without "Reservoir dogs" and "Pulp fiction" and if you like 'em I see no reason whatsoever why you don't like this one. Humorous violence and marvelous characters makes this a flick worth a look.

Forest Whitaker is excellent, as always, in the small part of Crane. Caruso, Rhames, Fiorentino all making a good job in the leading roles. However John Leguizamo's performance as the most memorable character, insane lunatic Chino is way over the average. He was wonderful. Even Donnie Wahlberg (former member of the early 90's boy band I don't want to even name here) proofed that he's at least just as good as his brother Mark. One thing's for sure: if you're about to rob an art gallery, do it with professionals and not guys like these or everything will definitely go wrong.