Golden Gate (1993)

A brash 22-year-old FBI agent trumps up charges of Communist spying against a Chinese laundryman. Ten years later, he wants to make amends to the man and his teenage daughter.

Director:

John Madden

Writer:

David Henry Hwang

Stars:

Matt Dillon, Joan Chen, Elizabeth Morehead

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Dillon	...	Agent Kevin David Walker
Joan Chen	...	Marilyn Song
Elizabeth Morehead	...	Receptionist
Bruno Kirby	...	Agent Ron Pirelli
Teri Polo	...	Cynthia
Jack Shearer	...	FBI chief
Keone Young	...	Benny Ying
Tzi Ma	...	Chen Jung Song
Paddy Morrissey	...	Agent
Cully Fredricksen	...	Special Agent Collins
Leo Downey	...	Prosecuting Attorney Snyder
Jay Jacobus	...	Judge
Wilbur Jung	...	Chinese defendant
Henry Wong	...	Court interpreter
Theresa Huynh	...	Young Marilyn

Storyline

Fresh out of law school, Kevin Walker is recruited into the FBI and commissioned to root out communist subversives amongst the San Francisco Chinese community. He finds a loophole that will enable him to prosecute, but his loyalties become divided when he falls in love with Marilyn, a laundryman's daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

fbi federal bureau of investigation | communist | chinese | witch hunt | suicide by jumping off a bridge | 

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Taglines:

Some loves are impossible. But they are loves just the same.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the dance hall scene, when the camera moves behind the drummer, the drumhead on the drumset are Remo PinStripe heads - two layers of transparent Mylar with a thin film of oil between the heads. Mylar drumheads were invented in the mid 1950s. PinStripe drum heads were not available until 1973, when they were released by Remo.

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Quotes

FBI chief: Let me tell you something about the Bureau, Agent Walker. You do not spew refuse all over your area, and expect someone else to clean up after you. That's a rule I would've thought you learned in summer camp.
Agent Kevin David Walker: I didn't attend summer camp, sir.
FBI chief: [gives him a cold look] We had built a wall, Agent Walker, constructed entirely of the public's faith in our irrefutability. Once you shatter this confidence, standards of law and order disintegrate. Subversive elements exploit the chaos, until this entire ...

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Soundtracks

JUMPIN' WITH THE CROWN
Written by Mando Dorame (as M.Dorame)
Performed by Royal Crown Revue
Published by Dorame Publishing (ASCAP) 1993
Royal Crown Revue appears by Courtesy of Big Daddy Records

User Reviews

A touching and timeless film of tragic love

I caught this film late one night in Japan. I had never heard of it and was amazed. I've always liked Matt Dillon, and fell in love with Joan Chen watching this film.

Matt Dillon is his usual brilliant self playing an FBI agent who falls in love with a subject under observation. He contrives a way to meet her and they connect with a blinding love. However a love founded on a great lie and betrayal. Joan Chen is beautiful and pure, true to her culture and family. Her role here could not have been portrayed by an American-Chinese actress with such realism.

This film spoke to my heart and I would definitely rate that night in Japan watching this as an unforgettable experience. Watch it if you like films that speak true.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Golden Gate

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$258,040, 30 January 1994

Gross USA:

$395,105

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$395,105

Company Credits

Production Co:

Across the Bay Productions, American Playhouse Theatrical Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1