Things Change (1988)

Gino, an Italian-American shoe-shiner with a remarkable similarity to a certain mafia don, is paid to take the rap for a murder. Jerry, a two-bit gangster on probation, is given a chance ... See full summary »

Director:

David Mamet

Writers:

David Mamet, Shel Silverstein

Stars:

Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, Robert Prosky

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Gino, an Italian-American shoe-shiner with a remarkable similarity to a certain mafia don, is paid to take the rap for a murder. Jerry, a two-bit gangster on probation, is given a chance for redemption by guarding Gino for the weekend. But instead of sitting around a dingy hotel room, Jerry decides to give Gino a weekend to remember, taking him to Lake Tahoe. Jerry's bragging to his friends of his important charge, as well as Gino's dignified, quiet demeanor, soon result in much complication for them both.

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Plot Keywords:

italian american | friend | mafia | hotel room | hotel | 

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Taglines:

Dealing with the mob is always a gamble.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Coisas Mudam

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$3,527,886 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Filmhaus

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First cinema feature of Felicity Huffman.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Gino: Amico mio, do mi cuore
[My friend, I give my heart]
Joseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincent: I haven't heard that in 35 years!

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Connections

Referenced in I Was a Teenage Faust (2002)

User Reviews

Things Do Change

A comedy by David Mamet - it seems like a contradiction in terms... This sparkling film bristles with life. There is absolutely nothing in common with other dialog-oriented films by writer-directors that quickly become talkathons. This film presents its "message" from the beginning and its pace doesn't let up until the end. It's funny all right - not explosive, rolling-on-the-floor humor but humor of a much gentler kind - and everything is wonderfully written and realized. If I had to use a word to describe it, "balletic" comes to mind. The timing and the movements are in perfect synchronization. What a delightful surprise!

Curtis Stotlar