Just the Ticket (1999/I)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Richard Wenk

Writer (WGA):

Richard Wenk (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Irresponsible, Unreliable, Unpredictable and totally Irresistible.

Plot:

A ticket scalper wants to make one last big deal on the pope's visit to finally do something worthwhile about his relationship.

Plot Keywords:

Ticket Scalping | Con Artist

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Andy Garcia	...	Gary Starke
Andie MacDowell	...	Linda Palinski
Richard Bradford	...	Benny Moran
Alice Drummond	...	Lady with Cash
Fred Asparagus	...	Zeus
Louis Mustillo	...	Harry the Head
Anita Elliott	...	Refund Lady at the Met
Patrick Breen	...	San Diego Vinnie
Laura Harris	...	Alice / 'Cyclops'
Don Novello	...	Tony
Ron Leibman	...	Barry the Book
Michael Willis	...	TV Customer
Jack Cafferty	...	Newscaster
Molly Wenk	...	Catholic Schoolgirl Fanny
Daniella García-Lorido	...	Catholic Schoolgirl Lucy

Also Known As:

Gary & Linda (France)
The Ticket Scalper (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

Argentina:115 min | Spain:116 min | USA:115 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Denmark:7 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:M | Spain:T | USA:R | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Canal+

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (1999-03-06)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Big Date

A real sleeper that just feels good

If you are looking for a movie that's perfect, and you want to nitpick about the chemistry between the characters or the subtle nuances of one particular character, don't watch this one.

But if you're the kind that, instead of using a microscope to analyze something, would prefer to appreciate something by standing back at a distance and taking it all in, and especially if you like romantic comedies, this is absolutely, definitely the movie for you.

I can't believe any company would decide not to put this movie in the theaters. It was a very good movie; not a "Bull Durham" in quality of storyline, directing, etc., but it made me feel a helluva lot better than "Bull Durham" did in the end. There are more than a few moments where you will probably cry if you are emotional (as evidenced by my wife's reaction), and though the laughs aren't big, the lighter moments certainly work.

I've never liked Andie MacDowell, and I believe she is the weak link of the entire movie. I could have seen someone like a Shelley Long or somebody else prettier than MacDowell and certainly someone with more range who would have connected better with Garcia. But it's probably that fact that makes you really want Andy Garcia to win throughout the movie. He can actually be likeable in his character's helpless role, though it's more like the Al Pacino impression that he always does. Look for Don Novello, a/k/a "Father Guido Sarducci" as one of Gary's friends. Kudos to Richard Bradford, who really made the movie special with his portrayal of Benny, the punch-drunk former boxer & ticket hustler; he brought the "heart" to the movie.

It really moves well from the 30 minute point on, so give it a few minutes if you're not getting into it, but I predict, if you have a heart at all, you will appreciate this movie from start to finish, and it builds and progresses like a good movie should to a great and cute ending.

It was so good I bought the DVD!