IMDb > Payback (1999/I)
Payback
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Payback (1999/I) More at IMDbPro »

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Payback (1999) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Payback (1999) -- Clip: Hey Porter

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   40,550 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Donald E. Westlake (novel)
Brian Helgeland (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Payback on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 February 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
No More Mr. Nice Guy more
Plot:
Porter is shot by his wife and best friend and is left to die. When he survives he plots revenge. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(19 articles)
Payback is making a comeback
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 20 November 2009, 4:15 PM, PST)

Angelina Jolie in New Teaser Trailer as Agent Salt
 (From Screen Rant. 4 November 2009, 5:42 PM, PST)

User Comments:
It's just plain mean! more (357 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Mel Gibson ... Porter

Gregg Henry ... Val Resnick

Maria Bello ... Rosie

David Paymer ... Arthur Stegman
Bill Duke ... Det. Hicks

Deborah Kara Unger ... Mrs. Lynn Porter
John Glover ... Phil

William Devane ... Carter

Lucy Liu ... Pearl (as Lucy Alexis Liu)
Jack Conley ... Det. Leary

Kris Kristofferson ... Bronson
Mark Alfa ... Johnny's Friend #2
Kwame Amoaku ... Radioman

Justin Ashforth ... Michael, Bartender #1
Len Bajenski ... Fairfax Bodyguard #1
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Porter (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language, and drug and sexual content.
Runtime:
100 min | USA:90 min (director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Music editor Scott Stambler was involved in the theatrical cut, and was brought in to try and reedit Chris Boardman's music from that version of the film into the Director's cut. When it was decided by director Brian Helgeland that music simply didn't match the tone of his film, he asked Stambler to write a new original score for his film which was recorded in late Feburary 2006 more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Stegman points a revolver at Porter in the car, it is clear from the frontal camera angle that there are no cartridges in the gun's cylinder. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Porter: [voiceover] GSW: that's what the hospitals call it: gunshot wound. Doctor has to report it to the police. That makes it hard for guys in my line to get what I call, quality health care.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
If I Had My Life to Live Over more

FAQ

What is the difference between the director's cut and the original cut?
What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Director's Cut?
more
44 out of 51 people found the following comment useful.
It's just plain mean!, 7 February 1999
8/10
Author: Dave Ducharme from Prince George, BC, Canada

Payback, while admittedly one of the more violent movies out this year, was definitely an entertaining flick.

Like the promo catch phrase says, this time you'll root for the bad guy. If Gibson's character has any redeeming qualities, they are on a very short list. Porter (Gibson) is violent, at times even cruel and the other characters aren't much better; some are worse. Every character is from the wrong side of the tracks, even the cops are on the take and there are no punches pulled. The only character you can really feel is a "good guy" is Rose, the stereotypical Callgirl with a heart of gold (although it's maybe only 10 karat, not a real 24 karat heart).

Nevertheless, you will root for Porter. Frankly, I don't think anyone else could have pulled off this role and still kept the support of the audience like Gibson did, but then he generally always plays the good guy with a twist. This time, the twist is a little more savage than usual.

All in all, if you enjoy the occasional violent romp on the big screen and you're a fan of Mel Gibson; Payback is worth seeing.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Payback (1999/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
If a Payback video game was made,what would you like it to feature ? TJensen0022
They were two of my best.... nansarama2003
Blu-ray release of both the TC and DC on September 28th! sg7326
Blu-ray release of both the TC and DC on September 28th! sg7326
love this movie but Mel ruined it for me. jimmyolsenblues
The best first 15 minutes in a movie djbohniii
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