This World, Then the Fireworks (1997)

Marty Lakewood is a reporter forced to leave Chicago and his family because he had uncovered too much police corruption. He returns to his small home town on the California coast to his ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Oblowitz

Writers:

Jim Thompson (story), Larry Gross (screenplay)

Stars:

Philip Loch, Elis Imboden, Christian Durango

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philip Loch	...	Marty Lakewood's Father
Elis Imboden	...	Neighbour's wife (as Elisabeth Imboden)
Christian Durango	...	Little Marty Lakewood
Sloan Cobb	...	Little Carol Lakewood
Roberta Hanley	...	Younger Mom Lakewood
Robert Pentz	...	Lou
Marianna Alacchi	...	Glenda
Orson Oblowitz	...	Eugene
Billy Zane	...	Marty Lakewood
Willy Cobbs	...	Blues Musician
Richard Edson	...	Joe
Norman Max Maxwell	...	Thug #1
Matt O'Toole	...	Thug #2
Mert Hatfield	...	Bus Driver
Rue McClanahan	...	Mom Lakewood

Storyline

Marty Lakewood is a reporter forced to leave Chicago and his family because he had uncovered too much police corruption. He returns to his small home town on the California coast to his ailing mother and prostitute sister, with whom he had an incestuous affair. Being short of money, he seduces a woman cop in order to sell her house.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | prostitute | woman dies from abortion | female nudity | police officer | 

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Taglines:

Meet Marty and Carol. Two people who are very good at being bad.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bu dünya ve ötesi

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,327 (USA) (11 July 1997)

Gross:

$19,906 (USA) (11 July 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Balzac's Shirt, JVC Entertainment Networks, Largo Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marty Lakewood: They all gotta' go somehow, doll. We all do. It was all written down more than a million years ago by a very funny god. You know, in the beginning, there was nothing. Then He spoke, and that's when all the shit started. We're just pawns, kid. You know, players. Playin' a part. God had to do something to amuse Himself, so He dreamt us up. I hope He got a good laugh, don't you, babe?
Carol Lakewood Morton: The things you say, Marty.

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Soundtracks

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS"
Written by Gene de Paul, Don Raye
Performed by Chet Baker

User Reviews

A shamefully underrated DARK COMEDY.

This is a great film, and should be more widely available. Why, oh why isn't it out in DVD? The writer of the original story is Jim Thompson. The film is one of the blackest of dark comedies, and so, unfortunately, is under appreciated by mainstream viewers and even critics. If you could see the humor in "The Grifters" or if you like your humor darker than "To Die For," you must get "This World, Then the Fireworks" in video ASAP. The leading role is made for Billy Zane, and features the finest performance I've ever seen from him. Don't miss this unforgettable scene: someone wonders why he (Billy Zane) would marry a deformed woman when he can have a beautiful one, and he becomes absolutely enraged. Also wonderful are Gina Gershon as the sister, and Rue McClanahan as mother of the wicked siblings.