Things Change (1988)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

David Mamet

Writers (WGA):

David Mamet (written by) &
Shel Silverstein (written by)

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Dealing with the mob is always a gamble.

Plot:

Gino, an Italian-American shoe-shiner with a remarkable similarity to a certain mafia don, is paid to take the rap for a murder...

Plot Keywords:

Italian American | Friend | Hotel Room | Mafia | Gangster

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Don Ameche	...	Gino
Joe Mantegna	...	Jerry
Robert Prosky	...	Joseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincent
J.J. Johnston	...	Frankie
Ricky Jay	...	Mr. Silver
Mike Nussbaum	...	Mr. Green
Jack Wallace	...	Repair Shop Owner
Dan Conway	...	Butler
Willo Hausman	...	Miss Bates (as Willo Varsi Hausman)
Gail Silver	...	Housemaid
Len Hodera	...	Ramone
Josh Conescu	...	Bellenza
Adam Bitterman	...	Marcotti
Jack Merrill	...	No Pair (as Merrill Holtzman)
William Novelli	...	Willie

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | West Germany:12 | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Spain:T

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Goofs:

Continuity: After they leave the airport, Jerry and Gino stop to talk with Billy Drake. Then Gino stays in front of the others, holding the overcoats, with Billy on his left-hand side and Jerry on his right. In the next shot Billy appears holding the overcoats and leading Gino with his right hand to the car. For this to be possible it would be necessary that them both had changed their places.

Quotes:

Jerry: Just when things were going so well...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I Was a Teenage Faust (2002) (TV)

Great Movie

Don Ameche plays a wonderful portrayal of an Italian Shoe repair man thrown into a world of mobsters. Somehow this has very little effect on his spirit or mood, and at the same time driving his caretaker(Joe Mantegna)absolutely insane. By the end of it's whirlwind tour you realize that the old man is very wise in taking it all in stride.It's especially good if you are a fan of Mafia movies like The Godfather and such because it shows a lot of really typical mob types to keep you interested.

This movie is a very laid back comedy that would entertain people from many different walks of life. I just told someone the other day that it's the best movie I know of that no one has heard of. If you get a chance see it!