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The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
3 April 1998 (USA) moreTagline:
Can you really trust anyone? morePlot:
An employee of a corporation with a lucrative secret process is tempted to betray it. But there's more to it than that. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
3 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(6 articles)
The Flickcast – Episode 14: Revenge of the Fallen (From The Flickcast. 1 July 2009, 6:30 AM, PDT)
Cinematical Seven: Favorite Con Men (and Ladies)
(From Cinematical. 14 May 2009, 8:33 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Clever "who can you trust" whodunnit, with Steve Martin in a serious role. moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Campbell Scott | ... | Joseph A. 'Joe' Ross | |
| Steve Martin | ... | Julian 'Jimmy' Dell | |
| Rebecca Pidgeon | ... | Susan Ricci | |
| Ben Gazzara | ... | Mr. Klein | |
| Ricky Jay | ... | George Lang | |
| Felicity Huffman | ... | Pat McCune | |
| Richard L. Friedman | ... | Businessman | |
| Jerry Graff | ... | Businessman | |
| G. Roy Levin | ... | Businessman | |
| Hilary Hinckle | ... | Resort Concierge | |
| David Pittu | ... | Resort Manager | |
| Christopher Kaldor | ... | Dell's Bodyguard | |
| Michael Robinson | ... | Security Person | |
| Olivia Tecosky | ... | Flight Attendant | |
| Charlotte Potok | ... | Bookstore Woman |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements including tension, some violent images and brief language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
110 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby SRCertification:
USA:PG (certificate #35283) | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Canada:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
When he is hung over, George Lang says, "I put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains." The line is a close paraphrase of one from Shakespeare's "Othello": "I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains." moreGoofs:
Continuity: The date is established as early March in New York City yet the trees are in full bloom. moreSoundtrack:
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now moreFAQ
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Steve Martin in a serious role in a Mamet film is reason enough to see "The Spanish Prisoner", which I believe gets its name from a type of sucker scam of the same name. And that's what this film is about. A young professional invents "the process" which is very valuable to his company but he is worried he will not get compensated well enough. This seed of doubt, which others around him recognize, sets into motion a whole series of secrets and deceptions. The dialog is snappy as in all Mamet writing, and you either really like the style a lot, or you don't. I really like it. The various twists get a bit hard to follow, and it is the kind of movie you have to see at least twice for full benefit. It is not a great film, but a worthy one.
Beside Steve martin in his serious role, which he pulls off very well, the film also has Ben Gazzara and Mamet's wife, Rebecca Pidgeon who is very good in one of the key roles in this film.