White Sands (1992)

A small southwestern town sheriff finds a body in the desert with a suitcase and $500,000. He impersonates the man and stumbles into an FBI investigation.

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writer:

Daniel Pyne

Stars:

Willem Dafoe, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Mickey Rourke

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Willem Dafoe	...	Deputy Sheriff Ray Dolezal
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Lane Bodine
Mickey Rourke	...	Gorman Lennox
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Greg Meeker (as Sam Jackson)
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Bert Gibson
James Rebhorn	...	FBI Agent Flynn
Maura Tierney	...	Noreen
Beth Grant	...	Roz Kincaid
Alexander Nicksay	...	Ben Dolezal
Fredrick Lopez	...	Delmar Blackwater
Miguel Sandoval	...	FBI Agent Ruiz
John Lafayette	...	FBI Agent Demott
Ken Thorley	...	Harold Kleinman
Jack Kehler	...	Casanov
Royce D. Applegate	...	Peterson

Storyline

A small southwestern town sheriff finds a body in the desert with a suitcase and $500,000. He impersonates the man and stumbles into an FBI investigation.

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Plot Keywords:

fbi | desert | sheriff | shower | forensic evidence | 

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Taglines:

The most dangerous way to solve a murder... Become the victim.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language, and a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arenas blancas

Filming Locations:

Estancia, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$9,011,574 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Productions, Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mimi Rogers:  the wife of Ray Dolezal (Willem Dafoe).

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Quotes

Gorman Lennox: [ending a business discussion] Foreplay's over, Lane. It's time to fuck.

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Connections

References The Andy Griffith Show (1960)

User Reviews

The Good And Bad Of White Sands

Here is another modern-day film-noir, featuring interesting characters played by a diverse cast. That cast is led by Willem Dafoe, who reminds me a lot of another noir actor, Dan Duryea.

There is the usual corrupt government/military officials angle but the plot does have a few neat twists and is generally a non-nonsense kind of story. However, I did find the storyline a bit confusing, especially in the last half hour. On a second viewing, five years later, a few things cleared up but not a lot. I guess it will take looks to figure out everything, especially the very end.

I'm not usually a fan of Elizabeth Mastrantonio, but I thought she was exceptional in here: by far, the best and most interesting character. The movie has a nice soundtrack. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and the somewhat confusing story helps draw me back for future viewings.

Aside notes: this must have been one of Samuel L. Jackson's first films because he was listed as "Sam Jackson" in the closing credits. Unbilled were three always-interesting actors: Fred Thompson, Mimi Rogers and Jack P. Ryan.