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:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$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

The name 'Jeanette Scott', mentioned during the hospital scene, is actually the name of the film's Set Decorator.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Version of Criss Cross (1949)

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Soundtracks

Fall For Mine
Performed by Wheel
Composed by Allen Cox, Aaron Glascock, Sabrina Judge
(p) Varèse Sarabande, 1995

User Reviews

Underrated Soderbergh

A complex character study with a twisty-turny plot and more double-crosses than one can comfortably shake a stick at, "The Underneath" is definitely one of Steven Soderbergh's more complex films. He pulls out all the stops, using split lenses (particularly during one bravura dinner sequence), different color film stocks, imaginative framing devices -- you name it. Sure, one might complain that the result is cold and calculating, but I'm not that one.

Fans of Soderbergh's "Schizopolis" will recognize Mike Malone (T. Azimuth Schwitters) as the guy who attempts to hit on Allison Elliott in the club and is rebuffed, and David Jensen (Elmo Oxygen) as the satellite dish installer. ("Just don't stand in front of it.") And Joe Chrest -- so memorable as Ben the bellhop in "King of the Hill" -- is great as the mysterious Mr. Rodman.