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IMDbPro

Johnny Handsome

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Ellen Barkin and Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
After being double crossed and thrown in jail, a deformed gangster gets a new face and rehabilitation, but his desire for revenge looms.
Play trailer1:25
2 Videos
76 Photos
CrimeDramaThriller

After being double crossed and thrown in jail, a deformed gangster gets a new face and rehabilitation, but his desire for revenge looms.After being double crossed and thrown in jail, a deformed gangster gets a new face and rehabilitation, but his desire for revenge looms.After being double crossed and thrown in jail, a deformed gangster gets a new face and rehabilitation, but his desire for revenge looms.

  • Director
    • Walter Hill
  • Writers
    • John Godey
    • Ken Friedman
  • Stars
    • Mickey Rourke
    • Ellen Barkin
    • Elizabeth McGovern
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Walter Hill
    • Writers
      • John Godey
      • Ken Friedman
    • Stars
      • Mickey Rourke
      • Ellen Barkin
      • Elizabeth McGovern
    • 56User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:25
    Watch Trailer
    Johnny Handsome
    Clip 1:24
    Watch Johnny Handsome

    Photos76

    Elizabeth McGovern in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Ellen Barkin and Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Elizabeth McGovern in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Mickey Rourke, and Lisa Bonet in Angel Heart (1987)
    Morgan Freeman and Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Ellen Barkin and Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, Mickey Rourke, and Forest Whitaker in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
    Johnny Handsome (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mickey Rourke
    Mickey Rourke
    • John 'Johnny Handsome' Sedley…
    Ellen Barkin
    Ellen Barkin
    • Sunny Boyd
    Elizabeth McGovern
    Elizabeth McGovern
    • Donna McCarty
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Lt. A.Z. Drones
    Forest Whitaker
    Forest Whitaker
    • Dr. Steven Resher
    Lance Henriksen
    Lance Henriksen
    • Rafe Garrett
    Scott Wilson
    Scott Wilson
    • Mikey Chalmette
    David Schramm
    David Schramm
    • Vic Dumask
    Yvonne Bryceland
    • Sister Luke
    Peter Jason
    Peter Jason
    • Mr. Bonet
    J.W. Smith
    J.W. Smith
    • Larry
    Jeffrey Meek
    Jeffrey Meek
    • Earl
    • (as Jeff Meek)
    Allan Graf
    Allan Graf
    • Bob Lemoyne
    Ed Zang
    • Prestige Manager
    John P. Fertitta
    John P. Fertitta
    • Prestige Salesman
    • (as John Fertitta)
    Raynor Scheine
    Raynor Scheine
    • Gun Dealer
    Edward Walsh
    • Judge
    • (as Ed Walsh)
    Jim Burk
    • Prison Guard
    • Director
      • Walter Hill
    • Writers
      • John Godey
      • Ken Friedman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Al Pacino was initially interested in playing the title character, and worked with the producers on developing the script. However, Pacino ultimately dropped out of the project, due to script problems. Pacino felt, despite numerous revisions, they had never been able to transcend the script's B-movie qualities.
    • Goofs
      During the graveyard scene, Larry "pumps" the action on a double barreled shotgun.
    • Quotes

      Vic Dumask: I don't know you, Mr. Mitchell. What can I do for you?

      John 'Johnny Handsome' Sedley: A laundry service. Could be five million dollars worth.

      Vic Dumask: That sounds illegal.

      John 'Johnny Handsome' Sedley: [sotto voce] It is.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Black Rain/Heavy Petting/In Country/A Dry White Season/Heart of Dixie (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Main Theme

    User reviews56

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    An Undiscovered Gem!
    Mickey Rourke has to be one of the greatest, yet most under-rated,

    American actors alive today. This film proves it. He plays this

    character with layers and a depth few could accomplish or would

    even dare. Unfortunately, most people regard his personal life

    (and abrasive personality itself) with such disdain that they refuse

    to fairly judge his professional accomplishments.

    Rourke plays a grotesquely facially disfigured man who's life of

    ridicule, non-existent home-life, and resultant self-guilt have led

    him to a life of crime. Nothing original there, I'll admit. But one

    must watch Rourke's subtle portrayal to see not a man of rage, as

    most actors would give, and be expected of, from the audience, but

    a man quietly locked into his world of pain. The way he holds his

    cigarette from the top, so as to cover part of his face; the downward

    tilt of his head, eyes averted from anyone's gaze; or the curt, quiet

    speaking so as not to draw too much attention. The example of

    speech is in itself remarkable. Not only does Rourke affect a

    severe speech impediment as the disfigured Johnny Handsome,

    but he then takes on a new one as a man who is now capable of

    proper diction, but who is completely unused to being able to

    speak properly. And he is constant in his portrayal throughout.

    The story is simple but good, driven with excellent visual editing,

    and a wonderful sound track (provided by Ry Cooder), that really

    sets the pacing. The cast is largely wonderful, as well, with quite a

    few recognizable "stars". Forest Whitaker as the sympathetic but

    driven and demanding doctor, Lance Henrikson and Ellen Barkin

    in amazing performances as two completely greedy "scum-bags",

    and Morgan Freeman, in a real role reversal, as a rotten, taunting

    parole officer. Probably the only weak link in the cast is Elizabeth

    McGovern, who's attempted Louisiana accent never holds up and

    over-all acting just suffices.

    This film remains a favorite of mine that I watch every now and

    again, always enjoying it both for the excitingly building tension of

    the story, and the great performances (and performers) littered

    throughout the film. If you like this film, I also suggest "The

    Elephant Man", by David Lynch (for the life-with-disfigurement

    aspects), or "The Warriors", by Walter Hill, as a great, early

    example of this same director's work.

    8/10 Mickey Rourke at his best!
    helpful•38
    14
    • Squrpleboy
    • Jan 20, 2002

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 29, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Johnny Handsome - Der schöne Johnny
    • Filming locations
      • Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Carolco Pictures
      • The Guber-Peters Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,237,794
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,437,642
      • Oct 1, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,237,794
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Ellen Barkin and Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome (1989)
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