Knockaround Guys (2001)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Directors:

Brian Koppelman
David Levien

Writers (WGA):

Brian Koppelman (written by) &
David Levien (written by)

Release Date:

11 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

How many friends can you trust with your life?

Plot:

The wannabe sons of mobsters go to a remote town in the Midwest, and get themselves into more trouble than anyone could anticipate.

Plot Keywords:

Mobster | Montana | Mob | Money | Brooklyn

Cast

Barry Pepper	...	Matty Demaret
Andy Davoli	...	Chris Scarpa (as Andrew Davoli)
Seth Green	...	Johnny Marbles
Vin Diesel	...	Taylor Reese
John Malkovich	...	Teddy Deserve
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Billy Clueless (as Arthur Nascarella)
Tom Noonan	...	Sheriff Decker
Nicholas Pasco	...	Freddy the Watch
Shawn Doyle	...	Deputy Ward
Kevin Gage	...	Brucker
Dennis Hopper	...	Benny Chains
Andrew Francis	...	Matty at 13
John Liddle	...	Heslep the Barkeep
Kris Lemche	...	Decker
Dov Tiefenbach	...	Teeze

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #37966) | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Netherlands:12 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Germany:16 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Although production wrapped in late 1999, the movie sat on the shelf for nearly three years before it was finally released.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Marbles is having his change counted back to him at the airport where he loses the bag, the cashier counts "eighteen, nineteen, twenty, forty, sixty." If you look at the cash drawer she is counting out of, there are no twenty dollar bills.

Quotes:

Teddy Deserve: I got shoes older than you, kid; and tougher, too.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Small Talk

Better than expected, underrated!

With the negative response from critics for this movie I was concerned that this would be rubbish, especially when it was released straight to video in my country (UK). As a Diesel fan I had high expectations for this film but was aware he had a supporting part.

However I was actually pleasantly surprised that the film was actually fairly enjoyable. The story is basic, about a mobsters son (Barry Pepper) who has grown up disparaged by the life of crime his family are involved in, but in his adults days he is unable to get the sort of legit career he wants, as a sports agent, because no-one will hire him for the simple reason that he is related to Dennis Hoppers character. Anyway he resigns himself to the fact that he can't go legit and that working for his dad is the way forward, but since his father only has enough faith in him to pick up his sandwiches, Matty is frustrated and begs his father to give him some more responsibility, he gets support here from his uncle Teddy played by John Malkovich. He gets his responsibility of course but things go awry, by fault of Matt's friend Marbles played by Seth Green. Half a million pounds has now gone missing in a small town, with some fairly clichéd hicks. Matty takes two of his friends over to assist Marbles in getting the money back, and on ensures a tale of deception and murder, with dirty cops, double dealing mobsters, and unwelcoming locals.

It's a fairly simple film that is nicely placed and very well acted. There are comical moments and some moments of character depth, particularly with central character Matty. There are really any surprises in this flick but it is on the most part entertaining. Barry Pepper is very good in the central role as is Vin Diesel as his best friend Taylor, who offers support and advice as well as muscle when it's needed. John Malkovich and Dennis Hopper are good in their small roles although they are cruising really but it is Tom Noonan who steals the show in a delightfully seedy role as the bent small town sheriff Decker.

All in all this is worth a rental, if you're a fan of Diesel like me you'll appreciate his performance in a role that has more depth to it than XXX. 6/10