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The Real Thing

Original title: Livers Ain't Cheap
  • 19961996
  • RR
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
239
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Gary Busey, Rod Steiger, Esai Morales, Ashley Laurence, and James Russo in Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)
  • Action
  • Crime
Rupert is a small time crook trying to do the right thing. But when his younger brother gets in trouble and needs a new liver, Rupert gets together his old gang and they plan a heist on New ... Read allRupert is a small time crook trying to do the right thing. But when his younger brother gets in trouble and needs a new liver, Rupert gets together his old gang and they plan a heist on New Years Eve.Rupert is a small time crook trying to do the right thing. But when his younger brother gets in trouble and needs a new liver, Rupert gets together his old gang and they plan a heist on New Years Eve.
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
239
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • James Merendino
  • Writers
    • Rustam Branaman(story)
    • James Merendino
  • Stars
    • James Russo
    • Jeremy Piven
    • Fabrizio Bentivoglio
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Merendino
  • Writers
    • Rustam Branaman(story)
    • James Merendino
  • Stars
    • James Russo
    • Jeremy Piven
    • Fabrizio Bentivoglio
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos

    Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)
    Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)
    Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)
    Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Russo
    James Russo
    • Rupert Littleas Rupert Little
    Jeremy Piven
    Jeremy Piven
    • Johnas John
    Fabrizio Bentivoglio
    Fabrizio Bentivoglio
    • Alfredo Donatias Alfredo Donati
    Robert LaSardo
    Robert LaSardo
    • Eric Fidelas Eric Fidel
    Ashley Laurence
    Ashley Laurence
    • Carlaas Carla
    Emily Lloyd
    Emily Lloyd
    • Lisa Tuttleas Lisa Tuttle
    Davino Buzzotta
    Davino Buzzotta
    • James Littleas James Little
    • (as Dave Buzzotta)
    Rod Steiger
    Rod Steiger
    • Victoras Victor
    Patrick Gallagher
    Patrick Gallagher
    • Dexteras Dexter
    • (as Pat Gallagher)
    Esai Morales
    Esai Morales
    • Collinas Collin
    Gary Busey
    Gary Busey
    • Foremanas Foreman
    Max Perlich
    Max Perlich
    • Tomas Tom
    Barbara Nickell
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Scott Lowy
    • Bouncer #1as Bouncer #1
    Jimmy Steger
    • Bouncer #2as Bouncer #2
    Jaye K. Danford
    • Cop #1as Cop #1
    Brendan Burns
    • Cop #2as Cop #2
    Lou Rawls
    Lou Rawls
    • MCas MC
    • Director
      • James Merendino
    • Writers
      • Rustam Branaman(story)
      • James Merendino
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Rupert is a small time crook trying to do the right thing. But when his younger brother gets in trouble and needs a new liver, Rupert gets together his old gang and they plan a heist on New Years Eve. —Anonymous
    • new year's eve
    • heist
    • gang
    • wound
    • violence
    • 34 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Their plan was simple...Get the Cash.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong violence, language and a scene of sexuality
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A Dream Cast In A High Octane Heist Film
    How is THIS movie so completely unknown? "The Real Thing" is an EPIC heist film with more artistry, intelligence, style and energy than the similarly themed "Expendables," another movie featuring an ensemble cast of legendary names. Gary Busey, James Russo, Rod Steiger, Esai Morales, Max Perlich, Emily Lloyd, and Ashley Lawrence among others, each shine in their very defined roles of current and past criminals, trying to make a comeback by pulling off a million dollar nightclub heist. Russo is incredible as ex con Rupert, desperate to save the life of his little brother, who got shot while engaging in some criminal activity of his own. A liver transplant is the only way to save the kid, and Rupert will go to the ends of the earth to do that. Him and a group of fellow ex cons get together and devise the plan to put their hands on some much needed cash. Unfortunately another group of pros has their eyes on the same nightclub heist, and these men are much more ruthless, planning to kill everyone to get their hands on the cash. Rod Steiger is the intended target here; his New Years Eve bashes are known to take in big money, and those suitcases of undocumented cash are up for grabs. But forget about the story and just admire the style and incredible adrenaline rush that is this sadly overlooked gem of a film. Everyone involved is SO GOOD, and the movie serves as a reminder that the current crop of actors is just not as good as these veterans. Russo and Morales are particularly good here; Russo can still make you jump out of your skin with those sudden bursts of rage, and Esai hasn't been this much of a "bad guy" since he played Sean Penn's nemesis in "Bad Boys." Busey, in a smaller role, is hysterically slimy as Russo's employer, barking insults and firing people for being 10 minutes late to work. Fans of cult movies will get that same jolt of energy from seeing these guys, as action fans got from seeing "The Expendables," with it's epic cast of action legends..the only difference is, "The Real Thing" is so much better than that Hollywood trash. Again, I have no idea how this movie slipped under the radar, but it's one for fans of heist films, and for movie lovers in general.
    helpful•0
    0
    • Falconeer
    • Jul 15, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Livers Ain't Cheap
    • Filming locations
      • Old Montana Prison - 1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge, Montana, USA
    • Production companies
      • LAC, LP
      • LACCP
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Gary Busey, Rod Steiger, Esai Morales, Ashley Laurence, and James Russo in Livers Ain't Cheap (1996)
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