IMDb > Narrow Margin (1990)
Narrow Margin
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Narrow Margin (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2 NEW)
Narrow Margin (1990) -- A woman secretly witnesses the murder of her blind date for the evening by a top Mafia boss. She immediately goes into hiding without informing the authorities...
Narrow Margin (1990) -- US Home Video Extra (Clip) from Tri Star

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   3,033 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers (WGA):

Martin Goldsmith (earlier story) &
Jack Leonard (earlier story) ...
more

Contact:

View company contact information for Narrow Margin on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

21 September 1990 (USA) more

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller more

Tagline:

Sometimes the difference between life and death can be a Narrow Margin more

Plot:

A woman secretly witnesses the murder of her blind date for the evening by a top Mafia boss. She immediately... more | add synopsis

NewsDesk:

The Résumé Indie
 (From IFC. 11 August 2009, 7:35 AM, PDT)

User Comments:

Lots To Like In This Updated Version more (31 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Gene Hackman ... Robert Caulfield

Anne Archer ... Carol Hunnicut
James Sikking ... Nelson (as James B. Sikking)

J.T. Walsh ... Michael Tarlow

M. Emmet Walsh ... Sergeant Dominick Benti
Susan Hogan ... Kathryn Weller
Nigel Bennett ... Jack Wootton
J.A. Preston ... Martin Larner
B.A. 'Smitty' Smith ... Keller
Codie Lucas Wilbee ... Nicholas
Barbara Russell ... Nicholas' Mother (as Barbara E. Russell)
Antony Holland ... Elderly Man
Doreen Ramos ... Elderly Woman
Kevin McNulty ... James Dahlbeck
Andrew Rhodes ... Sgt. Nigro
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

It was Gene Hackman's idea that his character wear glasses. more

Goofs:

Continuity: As Caufield's helicopter is approaching the mountain cabin, the outside scenery alternates from treeless, snow-covered mountain peaks and deep forests. more

Quotes:

[in helicopter above mountains]
Caulfield: Why does he have to fly so low?
Sergeant Dominick Benti: We're not low. The ground's high.
more

Movie Connections:

Edited into Crash Point Zero (2000) more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
24 out of 27 people found the following comment useful.
Lots To Like In This Updated Version, 6 March 2006
9/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

It's odd to like an original film and then like the re-make equally so, if not more, but that's the case with this film. I have viewed both versions of this film at least three times apiece and thoroughly enjoy both.

Almost 55 years ago, this was a film noir called "The Narrow Margin" and in 1990, this re-make took off the "The" on the title. However, as is sometimes the case with remakes, some of the twists and turns of this thriller were also changed from the first film.

They didn't spoil it. I have no objection to the changes made here because the bottom line is entertainment, and that's where this movie excels. Plausible? No, but neither was the original, for that matter, and neither are a lot of suspense/ crime films.

What makes this re-run good, in addition to the great suspense, are several other things: 1 - Gene Hackman, one of the best actors of his generation and often overlooked in discussions of great actors; 2 - nice photography featuring some great train shots and the scenic Canadian Rockies; 3 - an interesting assortment of characters, some of which keep you guessing whether they are the good guys or the bad guys; 4 - a dash of humor thrown in here and there to break the tension.

In addition to Hackman, we see the sexy Anne Archer, who gives a nice film noir feel to the movie and we get some good supporting performances including two from guys with the same last name: J.T. and Emmet Walsh and one from a guy who plays one of the hit men: James Sikking. That's a name I'm not familiar with, but he has a scene talking to Hackman that is riveting.

The main fault of the movie at least to me, was the "Rambo" mentality in which I mean the villains have the good guy in point-blank, can't-miss range several times and....you guessed it: they miss. The action scenes in here are great but lack credibility, or this would be almost as good as it could ever get for a "thriller." I'm still tempted to rate it a "10" for the entertainment value alone.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Narrow Margin (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
toy train? kbsrailroad
Good stunt effects using the real 'top' actors? Marlburian
30 min. longer, 30 times worse than original theclockticks
can i see som identification mamba_27
The Chevy Blazer chase footage - exactly same in 'Commando'? the_nightfly
more

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