Homeboy (1988)

Director:

Michael Seresin

Writer:

Mickey Rourke (written by)
(more)

Release Date:

15 September 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Some people live life blow by blow.

Plot:

Johnny Walker is a cowboy and a boxer. He is very shy and a bit of a fool. He is in love with Ruby, but he cannot tell her...

Plot Keywords:

Boxing | Boxer | One Word Title | Boxing Match | Male Female Relationship

Cast

Mickey Rourke	...	Johnny Walker
Christopher Walken	...	Wesley Pendergass
Debra Feuer	...	Ruby
Thomas Quinn	...	Lou
Kevin Conway	...	Grazziano
Antony Alda	...	Ray
Jon Polito	...	Moe Fingers
Bill Slayton	...	Bill
David Albert Taylor	...	Cannonball (as David Taylor)
Joseph Ragno	...	Cotten's Trainer
Matthew Lewis	...	Cotten
Willy DeVille	...	Moe's Bodyguard
Rubén Blades	...	Doctor
Sam Gray	...	Barber
Dondre Whitfield	...	Billy Harrison
Theo Caesar	...	Street Tough (as Teddy Abner)
Anthony Means	...	Street Tough
Jimmy Dupree	...	Hurricane
Michael Buffer	...	Ring Announcer
Marty Denkin	...	Referee
Larry Hazzard Sr.	...	Referee
Morty Storm	...	Em-Cee
Gianna Ranaudo	...	Phyllis (as Gianna Rains)
Jeanne Daly	...	Melanie
Jonathan Freeman	...	Hotel Room Man
Liz Trepel	...	Hotel Room Woman
Gloria Irizarry	...	Hotel Maid
Jack Lotz	...	Coffee Shop Customer
Jimmy Archer	...	Coffee Shop Customer
Al Braverman	...	Coffee Shop Customer
Stu Black	...	Commentator
Sheila Gray	...	Luna Park Assistant
Sol Frieder	...	Hassidic Diamond Cutter
Lenny Mancini	...	Cornerman
Charles Prior	...	Cornerman
José Morales	...	Cuban Boxer
Cordelia González	...	Cuban Boxer's Wife
Gavin J. O'Connor	...	Rookie Cop
Nick Ballo	...	Luna Park Drunk
Stephen Baldwin	...	Luna Park Drunk
Lydia Hannibal	...	Cameo Bar Woman
Patience Moore	...	Moe's Girlfriend
Julie Janney	...	Waitress
Iran Barkley	...	Roscoe
Carmen Grazziano	...	Roscoe's Trainer
Van Holmes	...	Fighter
Nicholas De Cegli	...	Pimp
Thomas Patti	...	Franzelli
Angel Sindo	...	Sparring Partner
Buster Drayton	...	Sparring Partner
James Walsh	...	Fighter
Guido Innacelli	...	Fat Heckler
Lenny La Paglia	...	Fight Second
Michael Sessa	...	Crowd Bigmouth
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marty Storm	...	Em-Cee
Nick Pernice	...	Boxing Fan (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Seresin

Writing credits
Mickey Rourke		(written by) (as Eddie Cook)
Mickey Rourke		earlier screenplay (uncredited)

Produced by
Jayne Kachmer	....	associate producer
Elliott Kastner	....	producer
Alan Marshall	....	producer

Original Music by
Eric Clapton
Michael Kamen

Cinematography by
Gale Tattersall		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ray Lovejoy

Casting by
Mary Colquhoun

Production Design by
Brian Morris

Art Direction by
Wynn Thomas

Set Decoration by
Ted Glass

Costume Design by
Richard Shissler

Makeup Department
Ken Diaz	....	makeup supervisor
Sharon Ilson	....	key makeup artist (as Sharon Ilson Reed)
Anthony Sorrentino	....	key hair stylist
Michael Maddi	....	prosthetic makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Clayton Townsend	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tony Adler	....	second assistant director
Randy N. Barbee	....	dga trainee (as Randy Barbee)
Lewis Gould	....	first assistant director
Nelson Cabrera	....	second second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
David H. Allen	....	assistant props (as David Allen)
Tommy Allen	....	property master (as Tom Allen)
Jane Asch	....	scenic chargeperson (as Jane Kastenbaum-Asch)
Martin Bernstein	....	construction coordinator
Ann Edgeworth	....	assistant props
Charles H. Furey	....	set builder (as Charles Furey)
Gerard J. Furey	....	set builder (as Gerard Furey)
Joseph Garzero	....	stand-by scenic
Harold Horn	....	set builder
Jacqueline Jacobson Scarfo	....	assistant decorator (as Jackie Jacobson)
Judie Juracek	....	scenic (as Judie A. Juracek)
Robin Koenig	....	set dresser
Edward L. McMillan	....	key set builder (as Edward McMillan)
Ed Newins Jr.	....	construction grip (as Ed Newins)
Buster Pile	....	set builder (as Eugene Pile)
Scott Rosenstock	....	lead dresser
Steve Rosse	....	set dresser
Pam Stevens	....	art department assistant
Keith Wall	....	set dresser
Robert L. Wood Sr.	....	construction grip (as Robert Wood)
Brick Mason	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gary Alper	....	sound mixer
Robert C. Dearberg	....	dialogue editor (as Bob Dearberg)
John Falcini	....	re-recording assistant mixer
Eddy Joseph	....	sound editor
Ray Merrin	....	re-recording assistant mixer
David Perry	....	sound trainee
Bill Rowe	....	sound re-recording mixer
Andrew Schmetterling	....	boom operator (as Andy Schmetterling)
Daryl Jordan	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Russell Berg	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Paul Bucossi	....	stunt person
Peter Bucossi	....	stunt person
Cliff Cudney	....	stunt person
Daniel Dod	....	stunt person
Norman Douglass	....	stunt person (as Norman Douglas)
Andy Duppin	....	stunt person
Anthoney Ellis	....	stunt person
Roy Farfel	....	stunt person
Kathy N. Flusk	....	stunt person (as Katherine Flusk)
Jeffrey Lee Gibson	....	stunt person (as Jeffery Lee Gibson)
Peter Hock	....	stunt person
Jim Lovelett	....	stunt person (as James Lovelett)
Harry Madsen	....	stunt person
Phil Neilson	....	stunt person
Hugh Aodh O'Brien	....	stunt person (as Hugh O'Brien)
Sandy Richman	....	stunt person
Michael Russo	....	stunt person
Ric Wagner	....	stunt person
Webster Whinery	....	stunt coordinator
Lisa Dalton	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Peter Bloor	....	supervising electrician
Michael Bonvillain	....	electrician
Keith Bunting	....	grip
Don Cerrone	....	key grip
James Donahue	....	best boy (as Jim Donahue)
Ken Ferris	....	camera operator
Haddon Hufford	....	dolly grip
Michael Hunold	....	electrician
Frederick Iannone	....	first assistant camera (as Fred Iannone)
Roger Kimpton	....	grip
Dennis J. Lootens	....	electrician (as Dennis Lootens)
Michael C. Price	....	generator operator (as Michael Price)
Charles Quinlivan	....	grip (as Charlie Quinliven)
Connie Sawyer	....	electrician
Jamie Silverstein	....	electrician
Josh Spring	....	grip
Brian P. Stoll	....	camera trainee (as Brian Stoll)
Michael Trim	....	chief electrician
Dudley J. Voll	....	second assistant camera (as Dudley Voll)
Paul Wachter	....	best boy grip
Lynne Warberg	....	unit stills photographer

Casting Department
Louis DiGiaimo	....	extras casting (as Lou DiGiamo)
Joe Francis	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Maureen Hogan	....	assistant costume designer
Laurie Johnson	....	wardrobe supervisor
Ellen Lutter	....	wardrobe
Ed Post	....	designer: boxing attire
Hilary Rosenfeld	....	costumes: Mr. Walken

Editorial Department
David Beesley	....	assistant editor
Jaime Estrada Torres	....	assistant editor (as Jaime Estrada)
Leonard Green	....	assistant editor
Simon Harris	....	assistant editor
Emily Paine	....	associate editor
Jay Rabinowitz	....	assistant editor
Chantal Ribeiro	....	post-production coordinator
Adrian Smith	....	assistant editor
Joe Violante	....	dailies advisor: Technicolor

Music Department
Clive Barrett	....	music editor (as Clive Barret)
Stephen Chase	....	music engineer
Eric Clapton	....	music performer
Robin Clarke	....	music editor
Nathan East	....	music performer
Steve Ferrone	....	music performer
Lorraine Francis	....	music engineer
Michael Kamen	....	music performer
Ben Kape	....	music engineer
Fraser Kennedy	....	music supervisor
Jeremy Wheatley	....	music engineer
Greg Fulginiti	....	music engineer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
James Giblin	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Michael Boonstra	....	assistant coordinator
Frank Buisson	....	assistant: Mr. Rourke
Dermot Conley	....	production assistant
Paul Cremo	....	production assistant
Bruce Devan	....	location coordinator
Chris Eilenstine	....	craft service
Christopher Eilenstine	....	craft service
Jeff Flach	....	assistant location coordinator
Peter Govey	....	titles and opticals
Greg Hale	....	production assistant (as Gregory Hale)
Dolly Hall	....	production office assistant
James Kadonoff	....	production assistant
Tina Klein	....	production office assistant (as Tina Klien)
Paul Kramer	....	production assistant
Steven Krietzberg	....	craft service (as Steven Kreitzberg)
Jack Moorehead	....	production auditor (as Jack Moorhead)
Denise Pinckley	....	production office coordinator
Winkie Powers	....	production assistant
Brian Pulido	....	production assistant
Itaka Schlubach	....	assistant: Mr. Seresin and Mr. Marshall (as Itaka Schlubach-Hicks)
Jean-Paul Seresin	....	production assistant (as Jean Paul Seresin)
Robin Squibb	....	script supervisor
Päivi T. Suvilehto	....	assistant: Mr. Kastner (as Paivi Suvilehto)
Tony Trimarco	....	assistant auditor
Keith E. Cooper	....	production executive (uncredited)
David Lanphier Jr.	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Robert Shaw	....	assistant: Elliott Kastner (uncredited)
Fred Tepper	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Johnny Doyan	....	from Mickey to (as Johnny 'Bad News' Doyan)
James Ware	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Cinema International

Distributors

• International Video Entertainment (IVE) (1989) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Norstar Home Video Inc. (1989) (Canada) (video)
• Showtime (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
• Avid Home Video (1990) (USA) (VHS) (For I.V.E.)
• TV3 (1992) (Finland) (TV)
• United American Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• 111 Pictures (2006) (worldwide) (all media)
• Paco Pictures (2007) (Italy) (video)
• Future Film (2009) (Finland) (DVD) (cropped to 1.33:1)
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD)
• Europa Vision (1989) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Concorde Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Look Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• All the Sparring Partners at the Broadway Gym  special thanks
• Cannon Elstree Studios  re-recorded at (as Cannon Elstree Studios, England)
• Charlotte Dinger Collection, The  carousel art from
• Joe Dunton Cameras America  Arriflex supplied by (as Joe Dunton Cameras [JDC] America Inc.)
• Lee Lighting America  lighting equipment (as Lee Lighting America Ltd)
• Live Home Video  VHS package design
• New Jersey Film Commission  the producers would like to thank: for their help in making this motion picture possible (as The New Jersey Film Commission)
• People of Asbury Park, The  the producers would like to thank: for their help in making this motion picture possible (as The Mayor and People of Asbury Park)
• Rank Film Laboratories  release prints (as Rank Laboratories, Denham)
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Spartan Sporting Goods  boxing equipment supplied by
• Technicolor  color (as Technicolor N.Y.)
• The Berkeley Carteret Hotel  the producers would like to thank: for their help in making this motion picture possible
• The Caterers Inc.  catering

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language

Runtime:

116 min | Brazil:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | France:Unrated | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Cinema International

Trivia:

Homeboy is the first film written by Mickey Rourke. He credited as "Sir" Eddie Cook. Other films which are written by Mickey Rourke are also credited like that.

Soundtrack:

Mercy

Powerful Nuanced Film

A lot can be written about the derailing of Mickey Rourke's career... But when reflecting on the the reasons he achieved such recognition to begin with... One has to review Homeboy. The man had real talent as an actor and it is a shame that he is more remembered for phoned in performances than the highlights. Homeboy is one of the highlights. A very complete method performance that regardless of commercial stereotypes stays true to the characters created and the world they're in.

This is a real picture of a fighter way past his prime who gets a second chance at inspiration. But this is not the Rocky world where a theme song and a jog around the park give the character new life. This is a real character at the bottom of the bucket trying to reach up. And the mistakes of a lifetime are not easily overcome in this film.

Also Alan Parker's longtime cinematographer Michael Serensin makes his directing debut. Sadly it also ends his directing career. But the screen is always wonderfully alive under his direction both gritty and flashy in unison.

The support cast is wonderfully strong including one of the best minor support roles Christopher Walken has ever delivered.

I highly recommend this film for fans of smaller unconventional character dramas. If you want stereotypes... watch something else.