The Underneath (1995)

A recovering gambling addict attempts to reconcile with his family and friends but finds trouble and temptation when caught between feelings for his ex-wife and her dangerous hoodlum boyfriend.

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers:

Don Tracy (novel), Steven Soderbergh (screenplay) (as Sam Lowry)

Stars:

Peter Gallagher, Elisabeth Shue, Alison Elliott

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Gallagher	...	Michael Chambers
Alison Elliott	...	Rachel
William Fichtner	...	Tommy Dundee
Adam Trese	...	David Chambers
Joe Don Baker	...	Clay Hinkle
Paul Dooley	...	Ed Dutton
Shelley Duvall	...	Nurse
Elisabeth Shue	...	Susan Crenshaw
Anjanette Comer	...	Mrs. Chambers
Dennis Hill	...	Guard Tom
Harry Goaz	...	Guard Casey
Mark Feltch	...	Guard George
Jules Sharp	...	Hinkle's Assistant
Kenneth D. Harris	...	Mantrap Guard
Vincent Gaskins	...	Michael's Partner

Storyline

Michael Chambers returns home to celebrate his mother's marriage. Michael had been ousted from his home town due to his gambling indiscretions and had left his wife to deal with the mess he created. He now must reassimilate back into the town, renew his relationships with his family and friends (and enemies) and, most of all, seek out his ex-wife to woo her again. In the process, he obtains a job working with his mother's new husband as an armored car driver. He almost seems the perfect prodigal son as he finds his niche back in the community and his way back into his ex's heart. His troubles surmount when he and his wife are caught in the act by her hoodlum boyfriend/fiancé. To get out of this predicament, Michael must concoct a plan to heist of a payroll being carried by his armored car company.

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Plot Keywords:

armored car | lottery | female to male foot in crotch | robbery | pool hall | 

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Taglines:

For passion, betrayal and murder... there's still no place like home.

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence, language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Underneath

Filming Locations:

Bastrop State Park, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$141,345, 30 April 1995

Gross USA:

$536,023

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$536,023

Company Credits

Production Co:

Populist Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was originally planned to have a Criterion Collection release in 2015 but was pulled for unknown reasons. It is now a special feature of Soderbergh's previous film King of the Hill.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Susan Crenshaw: Are you getting off at Austin?

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Connections

References Brazil (1985)

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Soundtracks

Angel With a Broken Wing
Composed by John Thomas Griffith
Performed by Cowboy Mouth
(p) Varèse Sarabande, 1995

User Reviews

Who cares?

"The Underneath" tells of a man of dubious character who returns to his home to a less than warm reception and becomes involved in a web of intrigue with money and a woman at the center. This film is good technically and artistically. Good but not great. And there the goodness ends. We're fed bits and pieces of a story involving the elements of corruption, jealously, conspiracy, robbery, murder, betrayal, and more. However, the characters are so superficial and mechanical and the film so clinical and rigid we're left to idle disengaged voyeurism. With no emotional involvement we, the audience, have nothing at stake, have invested nothing in the characters, and don't care how it ends. We're just glad it's over. (C+)