The Gingerbread Man (1998)

A lawyer uses his power to help his lover put her father behind bars, but when he escapes, they are all in danger.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

John Grisham (story), Clyde Hayes (screenplay) (as Al Hayes)

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth Branagh	...	Rick Magruder
Embeth Davidtz	...	Mallory Doss
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Clyde Pell
Daryl Hannah	...	Lois Harlan
Robert Duvall	...	Dixon Doss
Tom Berenger	...	Pete Randle
Famke Janssen	...	Leeanne Magruder
Clyde Hayes	...	Carl Alden
Mae Whitman	...	Libby Magruder
Jesse James	...	Jeff Magruder
Troy Byer	...	Konnie Dugan (as Troy Beyer)
Julia Ryder Perce	...	Cassandra (as Julia R. Perce)
Danny Darst	...	Sheriff Hope
Sonny Seiler	...	Phillip Dunson
Walter Hartridge	...	Edmund Hess

Storyline

Lawyer Rick Magruder has a one-night-stand affair with caterer Mallory Doss. He becomes hooked on her, and when he learns her nut-case father Dixon is threatening her, he puts the weight of his law firm behind Mallory, has Dixon arrested and subpoenas her ex-husband Pete to testify against Dixon in court. Dixon is sent to an asylum, but escapes from there and the lives of many people are in danger.

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Plot Keywords:

killing a pet | full frontal female nudity | barefoot woman | one night stand | lawyer | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gingerbread Man

Filming Locations:

Guyton, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$118,278, 25 January 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,534,569, 21 June 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enchanter Entertainment, Island Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When released, this was the only John Grisham movie not adapted from one of his novels. Instead, it was from an original screenplay from Grisham.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, as Rick returns to Savannah, Georgia from a trial in Jacksonville, Florida, he crosses the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. The bridge spans the Savannah River and is located north of the city. Jacksonville, of course, is located south of Savannah, and Rick would have to go way out of his way to cross the bridge as he enters Savannah.

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Quotes

Clyde Pell: No offense ma'am, but it's always appeared to me your Dad's a few beers shy of a six-pack.

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Connections

Referenced in Magnolia (1999)

User Reviews

Great acting, bad plot

The plot of this film was only bad in the last section of the film. Before that it builds up to something good that never comes. I had to learn a Southern accent for a play (being from Kentucky and not having a Southern accent of course) so I rented this movie and learned one. Kudos to Kenneth Branagh and Robert Downey Jr. Watching this film it seemed like there was about 45 minutes worth of plot missing that would have made this a good movie. IF you have the missing 45 minutes please send it to me.