Bound (1996)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Directors:

Andy Wachowski
Larry Wachowski

Writers (WGA):

Andy Wachowski (written by) &
Larry Wachowski (written by)

Release Date:

4 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

A trust so deep it cuts both ways.

Plot:

Corky, a tough female ex con and her lover Violet concoct a scheme to steal millions of stashed mob money and pin the blame on Violet's crooked boyfriend Caeser.

Plot Keywords:

Money | Mafia | Lesbian | Plumber | Gangster

Awards:

6 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Tilly	...	Violet
Gina Gershon	...	Corky
Joe Pantoliano	...	Caesar
John P. Ryan	...	Micky Malnato
Christopher Meloni	...	Johnnie Marzzone
Richard C. Sarafian	...	Gino Marzzone
Mary Mara	...	Sue, Bartender
Susie Bright	...	Jesse
Margaret Smith	...	Woman Cop
Barry Kivel	...	Shelly
Peter Spellos	...	Lou
Ivan Kane	...	Cop #1
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	Cop #2
Gene Borkan	...	Roy

Also Known As:

The Business (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, violence and language.

Runtime:

108 min | USA:109 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:(Banned) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:III | Italy:VM14 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Dino De Laurentiis Company

Trivia:

Joe Pantoliano was instructed by the Wachowski Brothers to watch The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) and base his Cesar character on Humphrey Bogart's Fred C. Dobbs.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Corky goes after Caesar with the wrench, her hands are clean despite having carried the two bags of money which were covered in white paint.

Quotes:

Violet: You seem uncomfortable. Do I make you nervous, Corky?
Corky: No.
[drinks from beer bottle]
Violet: Thirsty, maybe?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Seed of Chucky (2004)

Soundtrack:

I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)

Third Best Of 1996

Corky (Gina Gershon), a lesbian ex-con hired to work in an apartment as a plumber, meets new neighbors Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), who launders money for the Mafia, and his girlfriend Violet (Jennifer Tilly). The two women have a love affair and decide to steal $2,000,000 that Caesar has in custody before he gives them back to Mafia boss Gino Marzone. Caesar is soon set up in such a way that he's fooled into whose even setting him up. Their plan is working for a while, but soon spirals into blood and disaster, as things start to go wrong and he acts in an unexpected violent way.

I am not a fan of The Matrix. Never have, never will be. But I was of the amazing visual effects it had to offer. And that's what drew me to seeing the Wachowski Brother's other movie, their directorial debut, Bound. Bound is different. Bound is bold. Bound is courageous. Bound is one of the best movies of the year. It's not your average movie. It doesn't care who it offends, or who it pleases. Its purpose is simple: to entertain the viewer, and this movie is `bound' by nothing to complete its purpose.

It starts with Corky locked in a closet, bruised and bloody, tied up. From there, we have a good idea of what has become of their plan. The film then shifts over to when the two women first meet, and then takes off from there when they plan the set-up. So for next two hours, get ready to root for the bad guy.

Acting was a major plus to Bound, as I tip my hat to Tilly and Gershon. Both female leads did well, but I just wasn't convinced that they were in love with each other as much as they and the script claimed them to be. This did bother me a little, but it doesn't detract from the fun that is to be had with this film. But the main catch of the film was Joe Pantoliano. This movie wouldn't have been the same if he weren't cast in this. His character is so dangerous and so disturbing that your eyes will become magnetic toward his every move, gesture, and dialogue. Clearly this film is not for everybody, but for those who can stand it, this is a rare treat. Definitely the most unique movie of the year, Bound receives the three and a half star rating.