Underneath (1995)

A recovering gambling addict attempts to reconcile with his family and friends but finds trouble and temptation when caught between feelings for his ex-wife and her dangerous hoodlum boyfriend.

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers:

Don Tracy (novel), Steven Soderbergh (screenplay),

Stars:

Peter Gallagher, Alison Elliott, William Fichtner

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Gallagher	...	Michael Chambers
Alison Elliott	...	Rachel
William Fichtner	...	Tommy Dundee
Adam Trese	...	David Chambers
Joe Don Baker	...	Clay Hinkle
Paul Dooley	...	Ed Dutton
Shelley Duvall	...	Nurse
Elisabeth Shue	...	Susan Crenshaw
Anjanette Comer	...	Mrs. Chambers
Dennis Hill	...	Guard Tom
Harry Goaz	...	Guard Casey
Mark Feltch	...	Guard George
Jules Sharp	...	Hinkle's Assistant
Kenneth D. Harris	...	Mantrap Guard
Vincent Gaskins	...	Michael's Partner

Storyline

Michael Chambers returns home to celebrate his mother's marriage. Michael had been ousted from his home town due to his gambling indiscretions and had left his wife to deal with the mess he created. He now must reassimilate back into the town, renew his relationships with his family and friends (and enemies) and, most of all, seek out his ex-wife to woo her again. In the process, he obtains a job working with his mother's new husband as an armored car driver. He almost seems the perfect prodigal son as he finds his niche back in the community and his way back into his ex's heart. His troubles surmount when he and his wife are caught in the act by her hoodlum boyfriend/fiancé. To get out of this predicament, Michael must concoct a plan to heist of a payroll being carried by his armored car company.

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Plot Keywords:

armored car | robbery | hitman | texas lottery | bar | 

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Taglines:

For passion, betrayal and murder... there's still no place like home.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence, language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Underneath

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$536,023 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Populist Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Soderbergh:  [company named "Perennial"] 

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Quotes

[first lines]
Susan Crenshaw: Are you getting off at Austin?

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Connections

References Wheel of Fortune (1983)

User Reviews

Competent first half with disappointing payoff

I saw this film as a part of a school course on film appreciation, focusing mostly on film-noir. It built slowly with a fascinating story, and honestly I was intrigued by many of the sequences especially the scene where the main character watches the football game and the rendezvous under the bridge.

I was also interested in all of the supporting characters like elizabeth shue's role and the smarmy brother.

The action toward the end built up to a climax that would bring it all together. And, the most I could say for the climax was that it did. But it also spiraled into a conventional, predictable, and altogether disappointing ending. I walked away unhappy with the whole experience.

This was the first time I was disappointed with Soderbergh's work, so for a more satisfying experience, in a similar genre, see The Limey.