Blood and Wine (1996)

A man who has failed as a father and husband commits a heist to make money for his fledging business, but things become complicated when his wife interferes.

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Writers:

Nick Villiers (story), Bob Rafelson (story)

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine, Stephen Dorff

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Nicholson	...	Alex
Stephen Dorff	...	Jason
Jennifer Lopez	...	Gabriela
Judy Davis	...	Suzanne
Michael Caine	...	Victor
Harold Perrineau	...	Henry
Robyn Peterson	...	Dina
Mike Starr	...	Mike
John Seitz	...	Frank
Marc Macaulay	...	Guard
Dan Daily	...	Todd
Marta Velasco	...	Gabriela's Cousin
Thom Christopher	...	Jeweller #1
Mario Ernesto Sánchez	...	Artie (Fishing Ace)
John Hackett	...	Gas Station Attendant

Storyline

Writer and Director Bob Rafelson has stated that this is the final part of an informal trilogy he started with Five Easy Pieces (1970) and continued with The King of Marvin Gardens (1972). In the three, Nicholson has now played son, brother, and father. In this one, Nicholson is a wealthy wine dealer who has distanced himself from his wife with his philandering, and from his son with his negligence. After he steals a diamond necklace with the help of a safecracker partner, Victor, things start coming apart. His wife sets out to interrupt what she thinks is another one of his weekend dalliances, but is really his trip to pawn the jewels.

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Plot Keywords:

lingerie | panties | lust | estranged wife | lovers on the lam | 

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Taglines:

There is no honour amongst thieves.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Michael Caine had decided to quit acting after being greatly disappointed with the production of Bullet to Beijing (1995) and the sequel, Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996). Jack Nicholson convinced Caine to come out of retirement to work on this movie. Caine had such a good time that he decided to continue acting.

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Goofs

When Gabriela starts climbing up the ladder in the boat with Jason, a bridge is clearly visible that they are about to go under. When she reaches the top of the ladder, the bridge is no longer in front of them.

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Quotes

Alex Gates: Look, I got an idea. Why don't you sit down at your desk and write out all your complaints, then when I get back we can have one of those nice long fights that you like so much.

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Michael Caine/Sally Field/Chris Pine/Rami Malek/Christine and the Queens (2018)

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Soundtracks

My Heart Never Knew
Performed by Patty Russell
Written by Patty Russell and Phillip Self
Courtesy of Tree Productions

User Reviews

Although Having a Magnificent Cast, It Is Just an Average Amoral Movie

In Miami, Alex Gates (Jack Nicholson) is a small trader of wines, married with Suzanne (Judy Davies). He does not have a good relationship with his wife and his stepson, Jason (Stephen Dorff). Alex has a Cuban mistress, Gabriela (Jennifer Lopez). One day, he decides to steal a jewel from a rich client, in the house where Gabriela works as a nanny. Alex associates to the tuberculous small-time crook Victor Spansky (Michael Caine). A series of mistakes jeopardize the heist and the selling of the necklace. This amoral and noir movie has a magnificent cast. However, something does not work well, being just an average movie about greed. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Sangue e Vinho" ("Blood and Wine")

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blood and Wine

Filming Locations:

Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$420,993, 23 February 1997

Gross USA:

$1,094,668

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,094,668

Company Credits

Production Co:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Fox Searchlight Pictures, Marmont Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1