Vig (1998)

Vinnie's a bookie, happily married, running his operation for 30 years out of his bar in Brooklyn. Times change, the boys up the chain want a bigger profit, so Vinnie's expendable He's ... See full summary »

Director:

Graham Theakston

Writer:

Paul Hapenny

Stars:

Peter Falk, Lauren Holly, Timothy Hutton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Vinnie
Lauren Holly	...	Marybeth
Timothy Hutton	...	Frankie
Freddie Prinze Jr.	...	Tony
Tyne Daly	...	Ellen
Paul Lazar	...	Rocky
Tony Sirico	...	Locasso
Steve Sweeney	...	Angie
Roger Robinson	...	Phil
Frank Vincent	...	Pete
Colm Meaney	...	Al Sheehan
Tonya Tyann Tullis	...	Leah
Pamela Bel Anu	...	Jackie
Billy Strong	...	Lenny
Gene Ruffini	...	Maitre d'

Storyline

Vinnie's a bookie, happily married, running his operation for 30 years out of his bar in Brooklyn. Times change, the boys up the chain want a bigger profit, so Vinnie's expendable He's assigned a hotheaded kid, Tony, the nephew of a local mobster. Vinnie's told to school the lad, use him for collections, and teach him some sense. What Vinnie doesn't know is that once Tony learns the ropes, Vinnie will be out. Tensions mount when Tony goes around Vinnie's paternalistic ways, takes a bet from an unemployed alcoholic, and demands that the loser's wife pay the vig in trade. Is there any way out for Vinnie - with or without his good name?

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Plot Keywords:

mobster | bookie | loser | bet | bar | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, drug content and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Money Kings

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Angry Mob, Barwood Films, Lions Gate Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered on Cinemax after it could not find a distributor for a theatrical release.

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Goofs

When Vinnie gets dropped off at home after getting drunk The police car has Boston Police on it.

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Quotes

Vinnie: I'm a bookie bloodsucker, living off other people's sickness.
Ellen: Quit.

User Reviews

A wistful tale of a too-nice bookie

A wistful tale of a bookie past his prime and too nice to play the debt collector. Peter Falk gives an amazing performance as a small time Boston bookie who's far too reluctant to enforce the tough tactics of his mob boss. The movie starts slow but rewards with a touching tale aided by an inspiring cast. Lauren Holly is convincing as a self-sacrificing waitress wife of her gambler cum alcoholic husband and shows she's no barbie doll. Excellent acting also by Tim Hutton as Holly's irresponsible husband and Tyne Daly as Falk's wife. The dull spot is Freddie Prinze Jr's (who should remain in comedy) one-dimensional role. He was unable to portray well his role as an arrogant self-serving and cowardly young punk.

Vig (or Money Kings) is a story about how the simple way of life can never be the status quo. This is a story about commitment, responsibility, sacrifice and doing what is right. Great movie and a touching tale.