In the Soup (1992)

A neurotic nebbish lives in 2 worlds: the fantasy of winning his dream-girl via a hit movie, and the meager existence he scrapes out from very odd jobs, such as thesping in an arty ... See full summary »

Director:

Alexandre Rockwell

Writers:

Sollace Mitchell (as Tim Kissell), Alexandre Rockwell

Stars:

Steve Buscemi, Seymour Cassel, Jennifer Beals

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Buscemi	...	Aldolpho Rollo
Seymour Cassel	...	Joe
Jennifer Beals	...	Angelica Pena
Pat Moya	...	Dang
Will Patton	...	Skippy
Sully Boyar	...	Old Man
Steven Randazzo	...	Louis Barfardi
Francesco Messina	...	Frank Barfardi
Jim Jarmusch	...	Monty
Carol Kane	...	Barbara
Stanley Tucci	...	Gregoire
Rockets Redglare	...	Guy
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Jackie
Debi Mazar	...	Suzie
Sam Rockwell	...	Pauli

Storyline

A neurotic nebbish lives in 2 worlds: the fantasy of winning his dream-girl via a hit movie, and the meager existence he scrapes out from very odd jobs, such as thesping in an arty no-budget flick. His beautiful object is his next-door neighbor Angelica, who's understandably preoccupied with her own life, as an illegal immigrant and single mom. Aldolpho Rollo's writing his unending masterpiece screenplay from a walk-up NYC flat, in-between peering at debtors through his peephole. AR's hopes to win her love take wing via another angel, a shady high-roller who definitely has the self-confidence, and promises the cash Aldolpho craves, to produce the auteur's vision.

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Plot Keywords:

struggling filmmaker | shady film producer | love interest | female cashier | new york | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about getting in over your head.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA France Germany Japan Italy Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 August 1992 (Germany)

Also Known As:

A levesben

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$256,249

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Communications Corporation, Alta, Cacous Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pauli (Sam Rockwell) is an autistic teen and wearing a special-needs helmet in the feather scene. And dancing on the rooftop in the snow scene. Both scenes appear about midway through the film.

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Alternate Versions

Although intended to be shown in black and white, the film was shot in colour for economic reasons. In the UK, the colour version was released on rental video, but the sell-through version was black and white.

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Connections

References Son of Flubber (1963)

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Soundtracks

Ballad
Written by Mader
Courtesy of Force of Circumstance & Mader

User Reviews

A Defining Indie

A neurotic nebbish (Steve Buscemi) lives in two worlds: the fantasy of winning his dream-girl (Jennifer Beals) via a hit movie, and the meager existence he scrapes out from very odd jobs, such as thesping in an arty no-budget flick.

How fitting that Jim Jarmusch has a cameo, because this film is very much a Jarmusch type of movie. Had his name been under the "directed by" heading, I would never have doubted it. Which, I suppose, is a compliment to the real director. You also have to hand it to them for getting such a stellar cast. Buscemi is an indie darling, but Beals had already gone big by this point -- it was brave for her to take this role.

This is not so much a movie about making a movie as it is an underworld film. Not a mob movie, exactly, but definitely people of loose character who walk on the edges of society. And yet, there is something rather charming about them.