Kiss of Death (1995)

A reformed convict goes undercover with the help of an angry detective to ensnare a psychotic mobster.

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writers:

Eleazar Lipsky (story), Ben Hecht,

Stars:

David Caruso, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicolas Cage

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Caruso	...	Jimmy Kilmartin
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Calvin Hart
Nicolas Cage	...	Little Junior Brown
Helen Hunt	...	Bev Kilmartin
Kathryn Erbe	...	Rosie Kilmartin
Stanley Tucci	...	Frank Zioli
Michael Rapaport	...	Ronnie Gannon
Ving Rhames	...	Omar
Philip Baker Hall	...	Big Junior Brown
Anthony Heald	...	Jack Gold
Angel David	...	J.J.
John Costelloe	...	Cleary
Lindsay J. Wrinn	...	Corinna as a Toddler
Megan L. Wrinn	...	Corinna as a Toddler
Katie Sagona	...	Corinna, 4 Years Old

Storyline

Jimmy Kilmartin's an ex-con who's trying to go straight. But he can't say no to a quick driving job because his so called friend's life is threatened. The job is for Little Junior Brown, a violent and powerful villain. When things go wrong, Jimmy is left to do the time, and his whole life is turned upside-down, but if that wasn't enough, the cops won't leave Jimmy alone when he gets out... They want 'Little Junior'

---

Plot Keywords:

shot in the face | undercover agent | federal agent | beaten to death | shea stadium queens new york city | 

---

Taglines:

Little Junor Brown. He rules the streets. He owns the game. But he doesn't own all of the players.

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, nudity and strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

A halál csókja

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$14,942,422 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Caruso was paid $1 million for appearing in this film, which he made in the hiatus between his first and short-lived second season of NYPD Blue.

---

Goofs

When we first see the Red Explorer - before Nicolas gives it to David - is has no license plate in the front. But when David drives it home it DOES have a license plate in the front

---

Quotes

Jimmy Kilmartin: Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Little Junior Brown: Whatever don't?
Jimmy Kilmartin: Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Little Junior Brown: Whatever doesn't kill you makes you... I like that

---

Connections

Features The Driver (1978)

---

Soundtracks

"Muchas Gracias"
Written by Thomas Kukulies
Performed by Salsa Picante
Courtesy of LaserLight Digital by arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

Short of Breath

Kiss of Death boasts an impressive cast, authentic locales, and a gritty, accessible storyline, but it still comes across as an asthmatic remake of the film noir classic. Nobody "stars" in KOD; rather, David Caruso, Helen Hunt, Nicholas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Ving Rhames, and Kathryn Erbe all put in good, workmanlike performances that just don't catch fire.

I enjoyed Kiss of Death ten years ago when I rented it. What made it enjoyable again was seeing people I had forgotten about--a young Hunt, commanding on screen, an obscure Jackson, Cage almost unrecognizable, and Caruso, long before he decided to trade in acting for the ridiculous posturing he does on the boneheaded CSI: Miami.

Yet, the movie never really jells. We know the story well so we expect something better to make KOD stand out. "Workmanlike" just isn't enough.

I'd still recommend it, though. The freshness of the talent might be enough for you. And Cage, ripped and psychotic is so different from his breezy action roles of the last half decade.

You may find a gem here!