The Gingerbread Man (1998)

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

John Grisham (story)
Clyde Hayes (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

Lawyer Rick Magruder has a one-night-stand affair with caterer Mallory Doss. He becomes hooked on her...

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Law | Law Firm | American South | Escape From Mental Institution

Cast

Kenneth Branagh	...	Rick Magruder
Embeth Davidtz	...	Mallory Doss
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Clyde Pell
Daryl Hannah	...	Lois Harlan
Tom Berenger	...	Pete Randle
Famke Janssen	...	Leeanne Magruder
Mae Whitman	...	Libby Magruder
Jesse James	...	Jeff Magruder
Robert Duvall	...	Dixon Doss
Clyde Hayes	...	Carl Alden
Troy Beyer	...	Konnie Dugan
Julia Ryder Perce	...	Cassandra (as Julia R. Perce)
Danny Darst	...	Sheriff Hope
Sonny Seiler	...	Phillip Dunson
Walter Hartridge	...	Edmund Hess

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality, violence and language.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Belgium:KT | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Guyton, Georgia, USA

Company:

Enchanter Entertainment

Trivia:

Based on a discarded John Grisham manuscript.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the party early in the movie, Rick and Lois are talking head-to-head on the sofa. Mallory walks behind them and you can hear Lois talking, but we see their heads at opposite ends of the sofa and they aren't talking. The camera immediately cuts back to them sitting close and talking like before.

Quotes:

Clyde Pell: No offense ma'am, but it's always appeared to me your Dad's a few beers shy of a six-pack.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Magnolia (1999)

A well-made, very underrated film

With this movie, it's all about style, atmosphere, and acting. True, I didn't believe all of the plot developments, but it didn't matter- the terrific acting, the unexpected plot twists, and the wonderful atmosphere sucked me right in, and carried me along for the ride, and I had a great time. Kenneth Branagh is not only a great actor but a master of accents, and he proves it once again with a flawless Georgia accent. He's surrounded by so much talent in supporting roles (Robert Downey, Jr., Embeth Davidtz from Schindler's List and Fallen, Tom Berenger, Daryl Hannah, and Robert Duvall) that I was simply blown away. I recently bought a copy of this movie, and I never tire of watching it. Simply one of the best thrillers of the year. If you've ignored this movie (and chances are you have), then I suggest you check it out.