Lesser Prophets (1997)

The police have three bookies under surveillance, but they escape and set up shop elsewhere. By chance, one of the police finds them; instead of turning them in, he demands money that his ... See full summary »

Director:

William DeVizia

Writer:

Paul Diomede

Stars:

Michael Badalucco, Zachary Badalucco, Amy Brenneman

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Badalucco	...	Charlie
Zachary Badalucco	...	Charlie's Son
Amy Brenneman	...	Annie
Dayton Callie	...	Bernie
Suzanne Costollos	...	Honey (as Suzanne Costallos)
George DiCenzo	...	Jerry
Paul Diomede	...	Cheddar Fry
Mark Ethan	...	Gambler
Larry Fleischman	...	Dick
Hank Flynn	...	Uniform Cop
Ryan D. Gerber	...	Mikey
Scott Glenn	...	Iggy
James Hanlon	...	Plain Clothes Cop
Steve Harris	...	Giant Black Man who throws brick
Don Hewitt	...	Garbage Man

Storyline

The police have three bookies under surveillance, but they escape and set up shop elsewhere. By chance, one of the police finds them; instead of turning them in, he demands money that his brother, now a suicide, had lost to them. An odd guy named Leon, not entirely compus mentus, knows one of the bookies, brings them a tip on a sure thing, and they bet the farm. Meanwhile, Leon has befriended a kid in the next apartment whose mom is abused by her husband, who himself is carrying on some mysterious thievery. The cop, the bookies, the thief, his wife, and Leon's mistakes and good heart all come together in an ending with murder and money.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong language, and for violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gatans lag

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Nu Image Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Hopper, Sheryl Lee and Jimmy Smits were offered parts.

User Reviews

One of those video rentals that turns out to be surprisingly enjoyable

I liked this, although it is far from perfect. It's an ensemble movie, three or four separate story lines that all come together in an ending that is totally wrong, but never mind. I liked Dicenzo and his two illegal bookie cronies, their operation looked real to me, and if John Turturo's character was a bit inconsistent -- one moment a moron, the next just a bit backward -- and if Jimmy Smits' participation (I like Smits and his starring position on the video cover was a selling point) was disappointingly brief, there are enough good things in this to keep it interesting. It's mix of 'real' violence and slapstick is another inconsistency, but there is enough in the dialogue and the performances

• DiCenzo is particularly good -- to keep it watchable throughout.