IMDb > Payback: Straight Up (2006) (V)

Payback: Straight Up (2006) (V) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

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Director:
Brian Helgeland
Writers:
Brian Helgeland (screenplay)
Donald E. Westlake (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Payback: Straight Up on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 April 2007 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller See more »
Tagline:
He's back with a vengeance.
Plot:
Porter is shot by his wife and best friend and is left to die. When he survives he plots revenge. | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
User Reviews:
A different look at one of Mel's best films See more (16 total) »

Cast

 

Maria Bello ... Rosie (archive footage)
Hugh Callaly ... Businessman (archive footage)
Stephen Cinabro ... Val's Thug (archive footage)

James Coburn ... Justin Fairfax (archive footage)

Jack Conley ... Det. Leary (archive footage)
Debra L. Dado ... Sneaker Lady (archive footage)

William Devane ... Carter (archive footage)

Bill Duke ... Det. Hicks (archive footage)

Mel Gibson ... Porter (archive footage)

John Glover ... Phil (archive footage)

Gregg Henry ... Val Resnick (archive footage)

Sally Kellerman ... Mrs. Bronson (archive footage) (voice)

Lucy Liu ... Pearl (archive footage) (as Lucy Alexis Liu)

David Paymer ... Arthur Stegman (archive footage)

Roderick Peeples ... Hit Man on 'L' Platform (archive footage)

Christian Stolte ... Val's Thug (archive footage) (as Christian Stolti)

Deborah Kara Unger ... Lynn Porter (archive footage)

Richard Cotovsky ... Homeless man at end (archive footage) (uncredited)

Gene Kelly ... Bank patron (archive footage) (uncredited)

Sterling Wolfe ... Elevator hood (archive footage) (uncredited)
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Directed by
Brian Helgeland 
 
Writing credits
Brian Helgeland (screenplay)

Donald E. Westlake (novel "The Hunter") (as Richard Stark)

Original Music by
Scott Stambler 
 
Film Editing by
Kevin Stitt 
 
Set Decoration by
Sandy Struth 
 
Makeup Department
Matthew W. Mungle .... special prosthetics
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mark Cotone .... first assistant director (as Mark Catone)
Jennifer D'Angelo Kircher .... second assistant director: second unit
Vince Duque .... dga trainee
Forrest L. Futrell .... first assistant director: second unit
Franklyn Gottbetter .... additional second assistant director: Chicago
Jayson Merrill .... second second assistant director: Chicago
Laura Nisbet .... second assistant director
Mic Rodgers .... second unit director
 
Sound Department
John K. Adams .... sound editor
Bobbi Banks .... dialogue editor (as Bobbie Banks)
Bill W. Benton .... sound re-recording mixer
Beth Bergeron .... dialogue editor
Keith Bilderbeck .... sound editor
Trip Brock .... dialogue editor
Chris Carpenter .... sound re-recording mixer
Michael Chandler .... sound editor
Gary Coppola .... sound re-recording mixer
Stephanie Flack .... dialogue editor
Cindy Jo Hinkleman .... assistant sound editor
Jon Johnson .... sound supervisor
Rick Kline .... sound re-recording mixer
Derek Marcil .... sound re-recording mixer
Miguel Rivera .... sound editor
Solange S. Schwalbe .... dialogue editor (as Solange Schwalbe)
Bruce Stubblefield .... sound supervisor
Robert Troy .... dialogue editor
Ben Wilkins .... sound editor
Chris Winter .... assistant sound editor
 
Special Effects by
Michael Ahasay .... special effects technician: Chicago (as Mike Ahasay)
Blair Foord .... special effects technician (as Blair F. Foord)
Frank Krenmuller .... special effects technician: Chicago
Bob Stoker .... special effects supervisor
Mario Vanillo .... special effects technician
 
Stunts
Mic Rodgers .... stunt coordinator
 
Editorial Department
Bob Fernley .... digital intermediate producer
Brian Han .... digital intermediate production assistant
Natasha Leonnet .... digital film colorist
Jack Lewars .... digital intermediate colorist assist
Theresa Repola Mohammed .... negative cutter
Stephen M. Rickert Jr. .... first assistant editor
 
Music Department
Arlene Fishbach .... music clearances
Gordon Goodwin .... conductor
Gordon Goodwin .... orchestrator
Jim Harrison .... supervising music editor
Wade Hubbard .... composer: additional music
Peter Rotter .... music contractor (as Peter Rodder)
Michael T. Ryan .... supervising music editor
Jeanette Surga .... music editor
Thomas Vicari .... music scoring mixer
Nick Vidar .... music programmer
 
Other crew
Al Cerullo .... helicopter pilot
Beth Unger Morrison .... script clearance
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Payback" - USA (short title)
"Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut" - USA (promotional title)
See more »
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
USA:90 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
USA:R
Filming Locations:
Chicago, Illinois, USASee more »
Company:
Icon Entertainment InternationalSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
This is Brian Helgeland's version of Payback (1999/I). Helgeland was replaced by John Myhre as director after Helgeland was fired from the original.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Porter sits on the sidewalk to wait for Rosie, the blue backpack is about a foot behind him. Although Porter later says "Backpack, backpack," and Rosie replies, "Got it," when Rosie first comes around the car, the backpack is nowhere to be seen.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Val Resnick:Oh, I bet you got a lot of questions rattling around in your head.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in Paybacks Are a Bitch (2007) (V)See more »

FAQ

What are the differences between the director's cut and the theatrical version?
Why does this director's cut have its own IMDb page while the director's/extended/unrated cut of (insert movie title) only has one?
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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
A different look at one of Mel's best films, 15 March 2011
Author: Mr-Fusion from Cuesta Verde Estates, CA

There's a notorious history behind the 1999 film, 'Payback'. Brian Helgeland's cut of the film was deemed too dark for the movie-going public, and a new director was brought in for restructuring and reshoots. Though Helgeland was still credited, the version released in theaters was very different than what he'd intended - and the "film that could've been" would remain talked-about on the web for nearly ten years afterward. Helgeland was finally able to put the finishing touches on his version, and we have 'Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut'.

The basic story remains very much the same. It's still the story of one man with an unyielding thirst for revenge against the man who double-crossed him (Gregg Henry), and the criminal organization that owes him his share. But it's an entirely new and different cut. Gone is the cold blue tint from the theatrical release, leaving a much warmer palette. Also gone is the gravelly-voiced narration by Mel Gibson. And there's a completely new third act that brings about a different ending (though left somewhat ambiguous, the viewer easily gets the hint as to where the story goes once the credits roll). But the biggest difference between the two cuts is the tone. The movie that was released in 1999 had the distinct feel of a '70s caper/revenge movie. There was an undeniable cool to Porter, and plenty of wry humor. But 'Payback: Straight Up' delivers a much more brutal noir film. Instead of the underdog that we can all get behind and root for, Porter is now just ... mean. He lives his life by principle; and once he's wronged, he's out for revenge - with an undeterred sense of purpose that's all-too-uncommon. There's no laughing with this guy. Most of the jokes that were laughed at in 1999 are still here, but they're not as funny. And that has everything to do with the tone. Same story, different movie.

Which is not a bad thing (in the least). If you've ever read the source novel, "The Hunter", by Richard Stark (and you should), 'Straight Up' presents a Mel Gibson that is the very embodiment of the novel's protagonist. He's mean, out for himself, and should not be double-crossed. And Helgeland does a terrific job bringing the character to the silver screen.

It's a solid 8/10 (like its theatrical counterpart), and a rare example of a Director's Cut that is on par with the original version.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Payback: Straight Up (2006)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
This Was A Terrible Directors Cut bzldoremus
This is a sad, sad version of the first version! madcaplaughs-1
Rather bizarre, and not especially better [SPOILERS] defiant-10
A radically different version thekingofsting
Angie Dickinson and 'Bronson' cnc72000
Another of those soundtrack questions... twelveboar
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