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Ratchet

  • 19961996
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
133
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
123,960
50,035
Ratchet (1996)
Thriller
An scriptwriter heads off to Nantucket to find some inspiration for his latest, overdue, assignment. He becomes embroiled in small-town hi-jinks of murder, sex and violence, when he decides ... Read allAn scriptwriter heads off to Nantucket to find some inspiration for his latest, overdue, assignment. He becomes embroiled in small-town hi-jinks of murder, sex and violence, when he decides to pass off the local weirdo's script as his own.An scriptwriter heads off to Nantucket to find some inspiration for his latest, overdue, assignment. He becomes embroiled in small-town hi-jinks of murder, sex and violence, when he decides to pass off the local weirdo's script as his own.
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
133
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
123,960
50,035
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Johnson
    • Writer
      • John Johnson
    • Stars
      • Tom Gilroy
      • Margaret Welsh
      • Mitchell Lichtenstein
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Johnson
    • Writer
      • John Johnson
    • Stars
      • Tom Gilroy
      • Margaret Welsh
      • Mitchell Lichtenstein
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos

    Tom Gilroy and Margaret Welsh in Ratchet (1996)
    Ratchet (1996)
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    Top cast

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    Tom Gilroy
    Tom Gilroy
    • Elliot Callahan
    Margaret Welsh
    Margaret Welsh
    • Catherine Ripley
    Mitchell Lichtenstein
    Mitchell Lichtenstein
    • Tim Greenleaf
    Nurit Koppel
    Nurit Koppel
    • Julia Webb
    Matthew Dixon
    Matthew Dixon
    • Henry Carver
    Neal Jones
    Neal Jones
    • Sam Leary
    Robert Whaley
    • Ed (Deputy)
    John MacKay
    • Chief Groves
    David E. Dossey
    • Man on Plane
    • Director
      • John Johnson
    • Writer
      • John Johnson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    Ratchet
    Ratchet

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      While filming on Nantucket Island, the town board of selectmen threatened to shut down production based on the actions and attitudes of the crew. After some locals were injured by equipment and assistants shouted at people, often becoming belligerent and even rough at times, multiple complaints were filed with the town. After being threatened with shutdown, the production staff behaved better and managed to finish filming.
    • Alternate versions
      UK versions are cut by 6 seconds for an '18' rating.

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    A mish-mash of 1990's Film Noir clichés cobbled together for the undiscerning
    I suppose this is just about watchable as erotic thrillers go. Everything is very tame though and were it not for the one torture scene ( hands nailed to table in case you were wondering ) and the themes of bondage and murder, this would probably get a 'U' rating.

    The story has scriptwriter Elliot Callahan heading off to Nantucket island to try and find some inspiration for his latest, overdue, assignment. Once there he becomes embroiled in the usual small-town high-jinks of murder, madness, sex and violence. The chain of events spiralling out of control after he decides to pass off the local weirdo's script as his own.

    There is little else to say really - all the characters and performances are dull and bland ( apart from the 'comic-book-guy' on the plane who is quite amusing ) and the story is uninvolving, full of unexplored themes. To be fair the film seems to have had some thought behind it ( the opening and closing credits are neat ) and I'm prepared to believe that writer/director John Johnson put some passion into the project, but nothing really comes together properly.

    All I learnt was that scriptwriters are semi-alcoholic, whining wimps with no morals or dress sense. I mean this guy was sobbing when he was having the nails pulled out of his hands. I seem to remember Barton Fink blubbing as well - jeez !! - pull yourself together you writers.

    Also, can anyone enlighten me as to the meaning of the title - maybe i'm missing something obvious but why Ratchet ?
    helpful•2
    1
    • Wilbur-10
    • Oct 16, 2005

    Details

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    • Release date
      • February 6, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • O katahrastis
    • Filming locations
      • Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production company
      • Altar Rock Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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