Dangerous Game (1993)

A New York City film director, working on his latest movie in Los Angeles, begins to reflect the actions in his movie and real-life, especially when he begins an affair with the lead actress.

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writer:

Nicholas St. John

Stars:

Harvey Keitel, Madonna, James Russo

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harvey Keitel	...	Eddie Israel
Madonna	...	Sarah Jennings
James Russo	...	Francis Burns
Nancy Ferrara	...	Madlyn Israel
Reilly Murphy	...	Tommy
Victor Argo	...	Director of Photography
Leonard L. Thomas	...	Prop Guy
Christina Fulton	...	Blonde
Heather Bracken	...	Stewardess
Glenn Plummer	...	Burns' Buddy
Niki Munroe	...	Girl in Trailer
Lori Eastside	...	Party Guest
John Snyder	...	Party Guest
Adina Winston	...	Party Guest
Dylan Hundley	...	Party Guest

Storyline

Eddie Israel is a moviemaker. He is beginning the shooting of "The mother of mirrors", starring Francis Burns and Sarah Jennings. "The mother of mirrors" is the story of the last night of a couple falling into decay. Eddie is very demanding with the actors, and the heavy atmosphere of the film acts upon the daily life of the protagonists.

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Plot Keywords:

film director | filmmaker | actor | actress | psychological abuse | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasively strong language, explicit sexuality, and drug use

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dangerous Game

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$72,495

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cecchi Gori Europa N.V.,Eye Productions,Maverick Picture Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min (Unrated Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Jane Campion, Abel Ferrara's first choice for the role of Sarah, worked with Harvey Keitel on The Piano (1993).

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Quotes

Eddie Israel: We could talk about this for decades.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Worst Films of 1993 (1994)

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Soundtracks

G MINOR SONATA OP. 2 NO. 8
Written by George Frideric Handel (as G.F. HANDEL)
Arranged and performed by Joe Delia
Featuring Marti Sweet (violin) and Harold Coletta (viola)

User Reviews

An interesting film, with many a hidden secrets

Not a particularly entertaining movie this one, but definitely an interesting watch when you take into consideration not only the movie, but the similarities which surrounded its release. And of course Madonna, who (unwittingly?) gives the best performance of her much ridiculed celluloid career.

The film revolves around director Eddie Israel (Keitel) and his supporting cast members in their journey to film the uber-dark relationship drama 'Mother of Mirrors'. Starring alcoholic drug dependent Francis Burns (James Russo) and recent Christian convert Sarah Jennings (Madonna) the film within a film blurs over into real life, leaving the viewer confused about whether the actors are acting their character in 'Mother', their character in 'Dangerous Game' or even their character in real life. The confusion even seems apparent on set, with one directors clapper-board shots with the movies real director A. Ferrara noted on it.

In reality, Ferrara had to resort to accepting finance for the film by Madonna's Maverick Films and thus also accepting its MD as his leading actress. Madonna once said that when she attended the premiere she left the theatre crying as it was in her eyes a completely different movie, and all her best scenes were cut. Dig a little deeper with this one and you might be able to see the underlying story which is far more interesting than what's bubbling on the surface.