Sleepers (1996)

After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized; over 10 years later, they get their chance for revenge.

Director:

Barry Levinson

Writers:

Lorenzo Carcaterra (book), Barry Levinson (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Jason Patric

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Sean Nokes
Billy Crudup	...	Tommy Marcano
Robert De Niro	...	Father Bobby
Ron Eldard	...	John Reilly
Minnie Driver	...	Carol Martinez
Vittorio Gassman	...	King Benny
Dustin Hoffman	...	Danny Snyder
Terry Kinney	...	Ralph Ferguson
Bruno Kirby	...	Shakes' Father
Frank Medrano	...	Fat Mancho
Jason Patric	...	Lorenzo 'Shakes' Carcaterra
Joseph Perrino	...	Young Lorenzo 'Shakes' Carcaterra (as Joe Perrino)
Brad Pitt	...	Michael Sullivan
Brad Renfro	...	Young Michael Sullivan
Geoffrey Wigdor	...	Young John Reilly

Storyline

Four boys growing up in Hell's Kitchen play a prank that leads to an old man getting hurt. Sentenced to no less than one year in the Wilkenson Center in upstate New York, the four friends are changed by the beating, humiliation and sexual abuse by the guards sworn to protect them. Thirteen years later and a chance meeting lead to a chance for revenge against the Wilkenson Center and the guards.

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Plot Keywords:

guard | revenge | boy | prank | friend | 

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Taglines:

When friendship runs deeper than blood

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, graphic violence and two scenes of strong sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Levinson.com

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los hijos de la calle

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$44,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 10,597,781,000 (Italy) (15 November 1996)

Gross:

$53,300,852 (USA) (24 January 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Baltimore Pictures, Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Propaganda Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

147 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Bacon never actually met his co-stars Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman during the production because of the logistics of the shoot.

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Goofs

Defense Attorney Danny Snyder (Dustin Hoffman) should have moved for a "motion for judgment of acquittal," after the state/prosecution rested their case. No lawyer would fail to make this motion because if it is granted the defense does not have to put on a case since the State failed to meet it's burden of proof during their case in chief. Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 29 (a) states "after the government closes its evidence or after the close of all the evidence, the court on the defendant's motion must enter a judgment of acquittal of any offense for which the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction." New York follows this Federal Rule as discussed in U.S. v. Irving, 682 F.Supp.2d 243 E.D.N.Y.(2010).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lorenzo: This is a true story about friendship that runs deeper than blood. This is my story and that of the only three friends in my life that truely mattered. Two of them were killers who never made it past the age of 30. The other's a non-practicing attorney living with the pain of his past - too afraid to let it go, never confronting its horror. I'm the only one who can speak for them, and the children we were.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Bill Pullman/New Edition (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Early In The Morning"
Performed by The Gap Band
Written by Lonnie Simmons, Charles Wilson and Rudy Taylor
Courtesy of Mercury Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Simply Brilliant

I've watched this film so many times and it never fails to break my heart. I wasn't expecting it to be so deep and emotional but the story is told in such a way that you can really feel the fear and other feelings that the characters are experiencing.

Of course I think the cast was fantastically chosen, I especially give praise to Kevin Bacon, Jason Patric, Joe Perrino and Dustin Hoffman for their great acting. I believe no other actors could have made the film as heart stopping as they did.

I've asked my friends about this film and was surprised to hear that not many have seen it. Is this because more action-packed or fast-paced/ comedy movies are more popular? Who knows.

All I can say is, this film is quite special because without having action-packed scenes and surprises round every corner, it still keeps me glued to the seat.

The last thing I just HAVE to mention is that this movie introduced me to Ron Eldard who is a sensational actor.

All in all.... truly heartbreaking film, might almost even make you cry. Nothing shows friendship lasts forever, more than the events the characters have to endure in this film.

I definitely recommend for older kids. If you're always watching the same kind of films, this one is sure to open your eyes to a whole new side of film making.

Woooo Woooooo!!!