D.O.A. (1988)

A college professor's day: his top student allegedly commits suicide, his wife presents him with divorce papers and he overnights in a freshman girl's dorm. The next day: more murders around him. Will he find the killer in time?

Directors:

Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton

Writers:

Charles Edward Pogue (story by), Russell Rouse (story by)

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, Charlotte Rampling

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Quaid	...	Dexter Cornell
Meg Ryan	...	Sydney Fuller
Charlotte Rampling	...	Mrs. Fitzwaring
Daniel Stern	...	Hal Petersham
Jane Kaczmarek	...	Gail Cornell
Christopher Neame	...	Bernard
Robin Johnson	...	Cookie Fitzwaring
Robert Knepper	...	Nicholas Lang (as Rob Knepper)
Jay Patterson	...	Graham Corey
Brion James	...	Detective Ulmer
Jack Kehoe	...	Detective Brockton
Elizabeth Arlen	...	Elaine Wells
Karen Radcliffe	...	Jane Corey
William Forward	...	Chief Resident
Lee Gideon	...	Mr. Fitzwaring

Storyline

Dexter Cornell, an English Professor, becomes embroiled in a series of murders involving people around him. Dexter has good reason to want to find the murderer but hasn't much time. He finds help and comfort from one of his students, Sydney Fuller.

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Plot Keywords:

english professor | poison | dead on arrival | neo noir | race against time | 

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Taglines:

Someone poisoned Dexter Cornell. He's got to find out who. He's got to find out why. He's got to find out now. In 24 hours, he'll be Dead On Arrival.

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the unpublished fiction novel manuscript written by student Nick Lang (Robert Knepper) was "Out of Whack".

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Goofs

Dexter suddenly gains glasses when he first asks Sydney to join him for a date.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dexter Cornell: I need to speak to Detective Ulmer
Desk Sergeant: What for?
Dexter Cornell: I need to report a crime
Desk Sergeant: What crime?
Dexter Cornell: A murder
Desk Sergeant: [confused] Who was murdered?
Dexter Cornell: [finally looks up at him] I Was

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Crazy Credits

The opening Touchstone Logo is in black & white and the logo's flash is accompanied by a thunder clap.

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Connections

Remake of D.O.A. (1949)

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Soundtracks

DON'T BANG THE DRUM
Written by Mike Scott & Karl Wallinger
Performed by The Waterboys
Courtesy of Ensign/Chrysalis Records

User Reviews

Fantastic Sleeper Film.

"D.O.A" is an involving and entertaining little picture from start to finish. Dennis Quaid is at his caustic best; and Quaid is sadly one of the most underused talents in Hollywood. His then beau Meg Ryan also appears with him, but as is usually the case, doesn't really make much of an impact.

The film is stylishly directed throughout, drawing on a number of influences to capture its 'seamy' feel. Would you credit that it's actually directed by two people? The answer is no. The whole thing is superbly slick, from its innovative camerawork to its unabashed use of black and white photography. All these elements help to keep proceedings fresh.

Really the greatest thrill here is to be had with the dialogue, it's snappy yet intricate, doesn't waste a word and yet still manages to be entertaining. The screenplay for this is like a pocket work of art.

This went unnoticed by me for ages before I finally caught it late at night. If this is the first you've heard about it, don't leave it like I did! Catch it soon, it really is top-notch... !

If you're in the mood for a solid genre flick that manages to surprise at every turn, this really fits the bill.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead on Arrival

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,751,432, 20 March 1988

Gross USA:

$12,706,478

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,706,478

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bigelow Productions, Silver Screen Partners III, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color Black and White (some sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1