Strange Days (1995)

A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a conspiracy in Los Angeles in 1999.

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers:

James Cameron (story), James Cameron (screenplay)

Stars:

Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Fiennes	...	Lenny Nero
Angela Bassett	...	Lornette 'Mace' Mason
Juliette Lewis	...	Faith Justin
Tom Sizemore	...	Max Peltier
Michael Wincott	...	Philo Gant
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Burton Steckler
Glenn Plummer	...	Jeriko One
Brigitte Bako	...	Iris
Richard Edson	...	Tick
William Fichtner	...	Dwayne Engelman
Josef Sommer	...	Palmer Strickland
Joe Urla	...	Keith
Nicky Katt	...	Joey Corto
Michael Jace	...	Wade Beemer
Louise LeCavalier	...	Cindy 'Vita' Minh

Storyline

In 1999, Los Angeles is racial war zone with the army and LSPD and SWAT officers fighting Afro-American people. The former cop Lenny Nero is a dealer of illegal recording in CDs that gives the memories and sensations of the recorder to the user. He buys the recordings from the supplier Tick; he misses his former mistress Faith, who was a hooker and now is a singer; his best friend is the private eye Max Peltier and the limousine driver Lornette 'Mace' Mason, who has unrequited love for him. Two days before the turn of the century, the black rapper Jeriko One is murdered. The hooker Iris seeks Lenny out but there is an incident and they do not talk to each other. However she drops a recording into Lenny's car while he unsuccessfully tries to meet Faith at a night-club. However her boyfriend Philo Gant does not let them talk. When Lenny learns that Iris was sadistically raped and killed, he gets involved in a sick scheme and discovers dirty hidden secrets.

---

Plot Keywords:

cyberpunk | virtual reality | murder | rape | year 1999 | 

---

Taglines:

strange days are coming

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense disturbing violence, sexuality and pervasive strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Strange Days 1999

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$42,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,919,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lightstorm Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SDDS Dolby SR

Color:

Color (CFI)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Cameron did extensive editing work, especially on the final action sequences, but he could not be credited because he was not in the editors union. He joined before making Titanic (1997) and is credited as an editor on that film.

---

Goofs

A Steadicam operator is visible on the bottom of the screen at the end.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Tick:

• you ready?

Lenny Nero: Yeah, boot it.

---

Crazy Credits

The ending credits end with the dedication "To Gertrude".

---

Alternate Versions

A censored television version of the movie aired in the USA on the Sci-Fi channel on November 15, 1998. 29 minutes of footage were cut from the film to accomodate a "TV14" rating, and to shorten the film's running time.

---

Connections

Featured in This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)

---

Soundtracks

The Real Thing
Written by Praga Khan, Jade 4U, Oliver Adams
Performed by Lords of Acid
Courtesy of Antler-Subway

User Reviews

Sizzling Sci-Fi/Action Thriller

"Strange Days" literally has something for everyone. Science fiction, violence, peace, romance, comedy, tragedy, action, you name it -- it's in this film, and it's done with class and intelligence. I agree that this one is destined to become a cult classic. However, be prepared for one of the edgiest, most violent and emotionally exhausting films you've ever seen (the first three minutes of the film make it very clear what you can expect from the rest). There are at least five climactic scenes toward the end, which must break some kind of record. After the movie's over, you may feel like you've just been cooked in a vat of boiling oil... but luckily, you'll be perfectly well-done, not burned to a crisp. 10/10.