The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

An employee of a corporation with a lucrative secret process is tempted to betray it. But there's more to it than that.

Director:

David Mamet

Writer:

David Mamet

Stars:

Campbell Scott, Steve Martin, Rebecca Pidgeon

3 nominations.

Cast

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
Mike Robinson	...	Security Person
Olivia Tecosky	...	Flight Attendant
Charlotte Potok	...	Bookstore Woman

Storyline

Joe Ross is a rising star. He's designed a process that will make his company millions. He wants a bonus for this work, but fears his boss will stiff him. He meets a wealthy stranger, Jimmy Dell, and they strike up an off-kilter friendship. When the boss seems to set Ross up to get nothing, he seeks Dell's help. Then he learns Dell is not what he seems, so he contacts an FBI agent through his tightly-wound assistant, Susan Ricci. The FBI asks him to help entrap Dell. He accepts, a sting is arranged, but suddenly it's he who's been conned out of the process and framed for murder. Bewildered and desperate, he enlists Susan's aid to prove his innocence.

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Plot Keywords:

fbi | innocence | secret | murder | bonus | 

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Taglines:

It's the oldest con in the book.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements including tension, some violent images and brief language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

La prisonnière espagnole

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£78,903 (UK) (28 August 1998)

Gross:

$9,582,900 (USA) (6 November 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jasmine Productions Inc., Jean Doumanian Productions, Magnolia Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Lang's line "Beware of all enterprises which require new clothes" is by Thoreau ("Economy" chapter of Walden).

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Goofs

Joe's calendar says "Friday, March 12, 1997." March 12, 1997 was a Wednesday.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Airport Security: What is the purpose of your trip, please?
Joe Ross: Business.
Airport Security: Thank you and welcome to St. Estéphe.

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Connections

References Charade (1963)

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Soundtracks

"I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now"
Written by Frank R. Adams (as Frank Adams), William M. Hough (as Will Hough),
Joseph E. Howard (as Joseph Howard) and Harold Orlob
Arranged by Play-Rite Music Rolls, Inc.
Played at the carousel

User Reviews

An intelligent masterpiece made by the hands of genius film maker David Mamet

I remember watching this film in 1998 at the theater and it became one of my favorites ever since. I have since watched every Mamet film I ran into, they were very good, but I believe this one's his best film yet. The story follows Joseph Ross (Campbell Scott), a salaried mathematician who's invented some truly valuable system that will make a fortune for his company. We meet him as he goes on vacation and befriends with a seemingly multi-millionaire who calls himself Julian "Jimmy" Dell (Steve Martin). Ross is then drawn into a big conspiracy surrounds his valuable "system". I won't go into the details so that i won't spoil the surprises and there are many. All the actors involved gives their best, most notable are Rebecca Pigeon as Susan, Joseph's pretty and sophisticated secretary and for Steve Martin, who was very refreshing to see in a serious role. The film has some unique and intelligent dialogs often appear in David Mamet's works. The twists are very surprising but MAKE SENSE, something that a lot of film makers have to learn these days. Overall an intelligent gem of a film you will not forget easily. Thumbs up and 10/10. Highly Recommended.