Homicide (1991)

A Jewish homicide detective investigates a seemingly minor murder and falls in with a Zionist group as a result.

Director:

David Mamet

Writer:

David Mamet

Stars:

Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Vincent Guastaferro

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Mantegna	...	Bobby Gold
William H. Macy	...	Tim Sullivan
Vincent Guastaferro	...	Lt. Senna
J.J. Johnston	...	Jilly Curran
Jack Wallace	...	Frank
Lionel Mark Smith	...	Charlie Olcott
Roberta Custer	...	Cathy Bates
Charles Stransky	...	Doug Brown
Bernard Gray	...	James
Paul Butler	...	Commissioner Walker
Colin Stinton	...	Walter B. Wells
Louis Murray	...	Mr. Patterson
Christopher Kaldor	...	Desk Sergeant
Linda Kimbrough	...	Sgt. Green
Robin Spielberg	...	Records Officer

Storyline

Policeman Bob Gold has to capture a murderer that not even the FBI has been able to find. But before he can even start he is re-assigned to the murder of an old Jewish lady in a black area. The evidence points at a Jewish hate group and he discovers connections between them and his previous case.

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Plot Keywords:

neo noir | jewish | murder | policeman | self hatred | 

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Taglines:

Detective Robert Gold. Whatever he chooses to do is going to be wrong. He still has to make a choice.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of numerous collaborations of Joe Mantegna and David Mamet.

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Goofs

Toward the end of the film, when two policemen take Randolph away from Bob Gold, Bob's right arm is hanging. In the next shot, Bob's right arm is stretched.

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Quotes

Bobby Gold: [to Randolph] Your mamma turned you over, man! You know she did it!

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Connections

Referenced in Beaver Trilogy Part IV (2015)

User Reviews

Depth of character in an action film

While this picture could compare favorably with many of its type for nothing more than its use of action, suspense and realistic details regarding police work, it goes significantly further and becomes a character study of a man searching for an identity. A conscientious, no-nonsense detective, Gold has never become involved in his work to the extent that it has made him question his values, let alone his reason for existing. Without the point being forced upon us, we see a character with (seemingly) no home, no friends, no social activities: a decent man who has not connected with anything meaningful in life until circumstances force him to make significant choices.

Especially challenging to the viewer is the deliberately ambiguous ending in which there is reason to believe that Gold could choose either of the major alternatives available to him. He looks and feels like an outsider in the precinct. He now identifies with the Jew as an outsider. Could it be that he is actually considering.....?

See this provocative picture, and decide for yourself. Excellent performances and direction throughout.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1991 (France)

Also Known As:

Homicide

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$43,650, 14 October 1991

Gross USA:

$2,971,661

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,971,661

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward R. Pressman Film, Cinehaus, Bison Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1