IMDb >
Johnny Handsome (1989)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsJohnny Handsome (1989) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
29 September 1989 (USA) moreTagline:
Revenge has a new face morePlot:
Johnny Handsome is a deformed gangster who plans a successful robbery with a friend of his, Mikey Chalmette... more | full synopsisNewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Movie News Wrap Up: February 8th, 2009 (From Screen Rant. 9 February 2009, 1:33 PM, PST)
Mickey Rourke Heads For St. Vincent
(From EmpireOnline. 9 February 2009, 12:18 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Just like Gene Siskel (RIP) said, I'd like to see it again. more (33 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mickey Rourke | ... | John Sedley a.ka. Johnny Handsome / Johnny Mitchell | |
| Ellen Barkin | ... | Sunny Boyd | |
| Elizabeth McGovern | ... | Donna McCarty | |
| Morgan Freeman | ... | Lt. A.Z. Drones | |
| Forest Whitaker | ... | Dr. Steven Fisher | |
| Lance Henriksen | ... | Rafe Garrett | |
| Scott Wilson | ... | Mikey Chalmette | |
| David Schramm | ... | Vic Dumask | |
| Yvonne Bryceland | ... | Sister Luke | |
| Peter Jason | ... | Mr. Bonet | |
| J.W. Smith | ... | Larry | |
| Jeffrey Meek | ... | Earl (as Jeff Meek) | |
| Allan Graf | ... | Bob Lemoyne | |
| Ed Zang | ... | Prestige Manager | |
| John P. Fertitta | ... | Prestige Salesman (as John Fertitta) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
94 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The birth date used for Mickey Rourke's character, as seen on the monitor in the hopsital operating room, is Mickey Rourke's actual birthday moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the graveyard scene, Larry "pumps" the action on a double barreled shotgun. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (33 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Johnny Handsome (1989) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Limey | King of New York | Wild at Heart | Mystic River | Renegades |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |


Having seen the trailer multiple times as well as seeing 2 other Walter Hill films (Red Heat and Trespass), I had come across this underrated gem at Borders for $15. And I decided, why not? For me, the movie was $15 well spent.
Mickey Rourke plays John Sedley, a small-time hood whose deformation has given him the nickname, "Johnny Handsome", who is in the midst of planning a robbery with his friend, Mikey Chalmette (Played by Scott Wilson) and 2 other criminals, Rafe and Sunny (Played by the always great Lance Henriksen and Ellen Barkin.) In the middle of the robbery, John and Mikey are double-crossed by Sunny and Rafe. Mikey ends up killed and Johnny is arrested. While in jail, Lt. Drones (Played by Morgan Freeman) offers Johnny a chance to participate in a rehab program. Johnny accepts the offer and while at the rehab, Johnny is stabbed and taken to a hospital. At the hospital, the sympathetic Dr. Steven Fisher (Played by Forest Whitaker) gives Johnny a new face, a new identity (Johnny is given the name Johnny Mitchell), and a new shot at life. Johnny is eventually granted parole and gets a job at a plant. Going straight isn't all that easy, however. What Johnny really intends to do is get even with Rafe and Sunny.
I found the film to be an intense and underrated revenge noir that really deserves more attention than it already has. The score by Ry Cooder (Also responsible for the equally good score for Trespass) fits the film well too. The only thing that I did not like about the film was the ending, which was pretty sad. Nevertheless, it's a fun film that will hopefully, get more recognition in the future.
Highly recommended.
DVD Extras: The movie is presented in a crisp 1.33:3 full frame format, although I really don't know why Artisan decided against showing the film in it's original 1.85 aspect ratio, but it's still a good presentation. It's also VHS sourced, as if you watch the film all the way to the end, you'll see the I.V.E. logo.