Blood and Wine (1996)

A man who has failed as a father and husband commits a heist to make money for his fledging business, but things become complicated when his wife interferes.

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Writers:

Nick Villiers (story), Bob Rafelson (story),

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Stephen Dorff, Jennifer Lopez

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Nicholson	...	Alex Gates
Stephen Dorff	...	Jason
Jennifer Lopez	...	Gabriela 'Gabby'
Judy Davis	...	Suzanne
Michael Caine	...	Victor 'Vic' Spansky
Harold Perrineau	...	Henry
Robyn Peterson	...	Dina Reese
Mike Starr	...	Mike
John Seitz	...	Mr. Frank Reese
Marc Macaulay	...	Guard
Dan Daily	...	Todd
Marta Velasco	...	Gabriela's Cousin
Thom Christopher	...	Jeweller #1
Mario Ernesto Sánchez	...	Artie, Fishing Ace
John Hackett	...	Gas Station Attendant

Storyline

Bob Rafelson has stated that this is the final part of an informal trilogy he started with "Five Easy Pieces" and continued with "The King Of Marvin Gardens". In the three, Nicholson has now played son, brother and father. In this one, Nicholson is a wealthy wine dealer who has distanced himself from his wife with his philandering and from his son with his negligence. After he steals a diamond necklace with the help of a safecracker partner, Victor, things start coming apart. His wife sets out to interrupt what she thinks is another one of his weekend dalliances, but is really his trip to pawn the jewels.

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Plot Keywords:

safecracker | wine | heist | diamond | necklace | 

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Taglines:

There is no honour amongst thieves.

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Genres:

Thriller | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blood & Wine

Filming Locations:

Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$420,993 (USA) (21 February 1997)

Gross:

$1,075,288 (USA) (28 March 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Fox Searchlight Pictures, Marmont Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Caine had decided to quit acting after being greatly disappointed with the production of Bullet to Beijing and the sequel, Midnight in Saint Petersburg. Jack Nicholson convinced Caine to come out of retirement to work on this film. Caine had such a good time that he decided to continue acting.

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Goofs

Alex's position on the dock at the end of the movie changes several times.

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Quotes

Victor: This is not an ocean front suite, in Marbella. Did you notice that?
[Breathing]
Victor: There's no
[Coughs]
Victor: There are no flowers or champagne from the management. I don't, I don't see a swiss *chocolate* on my pillow
[Coughing]
Victor: . My *masseuse* is not at the door.
[Coughing]
Victor: [Wheezing]
[long pause]
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Creeps (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Two More Bottles of Wine"
(1975)
Written and Performed by Delbert McClinton
Courtesy of MCA Records
By Arrangement with MCA Special Markets & Products

User Reviews

Michael caine is extraordinary - film is so-so

Michael Caine gives one of his greatest performances, and that really is saying something. How many times have you seen someone overshadow CJck Nicholson? Well it happens here. Caine's character is at times pathetic, at others funny, and at others deeply nasty, and always believable.

Jennifer Lopez looks astonishing in this but her character is a cypher. The script is so-so, as is the direction, but it is worth watching once for the Caine masterclass.