Point of Origin (TV 2002)

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

Director:

Newton Thomas Sigel

Writer:

Matthew Tabak

Stars:

Ray Liotta, John Leguizamo, Colm Feore

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Liotta	...	John Orr / Aaron Stiles
John Leguizamo	...	Keith Lang
Colm Feore	...	Mike Matassa
Cliff Curtis	...	Mike Camello
Bai Ling	...	Wanda Orr
Illeana Douglas	...	Kate
Ronny Cox	...	Chief Gray
Mike Camello	...	Glen Lucero
Nora Zehetner	...	Trish
Sophia Bush	...	Carrie Orr
Sandra Lee Gimpel	...	Stella Cove (as Sandy Gimpel)
Miles Schneider	...	Kenny
Ingrid Rogers	...	Ambria
Maree Cheatham	...	Gabby Finn
Graham Beckel	...	Clarence Hyde

Storyline

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

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Plot Keywords:

fire | 1980s | california | arson | arson investigator | 

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Taglines:

When fire becomes an obsession... truth becomes stranger than fiction.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

In the Heat of Fire

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, New Redemption Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming in the hardware store set, located behind Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel, a special effects technician suffered first and second degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

User Reviews

Stlyzed entertaining thriller that is based on a real incident.

John Orr (Ray Liotta) is a veteran arson investigator, who's completely professional at his job and he has an sixth sense for placing the origin of suspecting fires. His loyal partner Keith Lang (John Leguizamo) learns from the best from Orr and Lang has joined the task force in the search of the killer. But some of Orr's colleagues and others thinks that Orr knows too much of these crimes... all too-well. To his friends, family members and colleagues that Orr might be the arsonist.

Directed by Newton Thomas Sigel made an terrific, fast paced thriller that is based loosely on a true story. Liotta and Leguizamo gives strong performances in their roles. This movie has an top supporting cast like Colm Feore, Cliff Curtis, Bai Ling, Illeana Douglas, Ronny Cox, Sophia Bush and Rachel Bilson. This movie was made for TV at HBO Films. Sigel's picture is very stylized and it looks like an theatrical movie as well.

DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also includes an fairly interesting running commentary track by the director and cast & crew information. Sigel's film is very entertaining.... he keeps everything tight, over the top and short. Certainly worth seeing. (****/*****).