Albino Alligator (1996)

While escaping from a foiled robbery attempt, three thieves find themselves surrounded by police at a New Orleans bar--only they're not the people the police are searching for.

Director:

Kevin Spacey

Writer:

Christian Forte

Stars:

Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, Gary Sinise

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Dillon	...	Dova
Faye Dunaway	...	Janet Boudreaux
Gary Sinise	...	Milo
William Fichtner	...	Law
Viggo Mortensen	...	Guy Foucard
John Spencer	...	Jack
Skeet Ulrich	...	Danny Boudreaux
Frankie Faison	...	Agent Marv Rose
Melinda McGraw	...	Jenny Ferguson
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Dino
Joe Mantegna	...	A.T.F. Agent G.D. Browning
Doug Spinuzza	...	Agent #1
Spencer Garrett	...	Agent #2
Enrico Colantoni	...	Agent #3
Tulsy Ball	...	A.T.F. Agent

Storyline

Three petty thieves who the police believe to be major criminals are chased into a basement bar where they take five hostages including all the bar employees. The rest of the movie deals with the cops lurking outside the bar while the trio try to get hold of the situation inside.

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Plot Keywords:

bar | police | hostage | animal in title | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

They Planned The Perfect Crime... Until It All Went Perfectly Wrong!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Albiino alligaattori

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$188,050 (USA) (24 January 1997)

Gross:

ITL 41,874,000 (Italy) (6 June 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Albino Alligator Productions, Miramax Films, Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Spacey consulted with legendary director Sidney Lumet on how best to make the film.

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Goofs

Because of the city's proximity to sea level, it is difficult, if not impossible to have underground (basement) dwellings in New Orleans.

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Quotes

Dova: Where are you going?
Milo: I don't wanna be part of this. I'm turning myself in.
Dova: [pointing a gun] Don't make me do it!

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Connections

References Dead Reckoning (1947)

User Reviews

Not a lot to show for so much talent

With so much talent aboard this could have been great cinema. That it's not is due to an unsure screenplay, lacking in credibility, though not lacking in promise. The story in itself, if tightened up, could have been riveting. But despite the actor's efforts, "Albino Alligator" fails to deliver the goods. By the end (which in itself is powerful), one has become a bit tired of it all.

Spacey was obviously drawn to the clear theatricality of much of the action taking place on one set, in effect on one stage. It's hence very talky and stagy, though Spacey is careful to keep the camera moving in interesting ways. The few outdoors scenes too are shot with great visual style. Combining a keen eye, together with his understanding of actors and acting, Spacey will probably at some point bring his directorial talents to fruition. Hopefully he will be more fortunate as far as a suitable screenplay is concerned.

Matt Dillon in the lead does a fair job. As is often the case with him, he manages some moments of excellence, but on the whole is capable rather than brilliant. (He sustained an exceptional performance is the "Saint of Fort Washington" and surprised many with "Drugstore Cowboy".). It's as if there is a depth to him which he seems to have a lot of trouble reaching. There is a brief scene in "Albino Alligator" in which he talks to himself in a facing mirror. It's a moment which reveals those depths which so often seem to elude him.

The other players do as well as one would expect. Gary Sinise is superb as Dillon's elder brother, William Fichtner is truly edgy and sinister and Faye Dunaway's bartender has a ring of truth to it.

Despite all this talent and a story with possibilities, this is not one to seek out.