Niagara, Niagara (1997)

An outsider and a young woman plagued by Tourette's syndrome meet and together journey to Canada.

Director:

Bob Gosse

Writer:

Matthew Weiss

Stars:

Robin Tunney, Henry Thomas, Michael Parks

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Tunney	...	Marcy
Henry Thomas	...	Seth
Michael Parks	...	Walter
Stephen Lang	...	Claude
John MacKay	...	Seth's Father
Alan Pottinger	...	Sanitation Lot Cop
Sol Frieder	...	Pawnbroker
Candy Clark	...	Sally
Andrew L. Phillips	...	Sally's Policeman
Jeffrey Howard	...	Liquor Store Clerk
Shawn Hatosy	...	Lead High School Punk
Adam Lauricella	...	High School Punk #2 (as Adam T. Lauricella)
Jaime Lynn O'Hara	...	High School Girl
John Ventimiglia	...	Doug
Clea DuVall	...	Convenience Store Clerk

Storyline

"Niagra, Niagra" begins quietly in a drugstore in Poughkeepsie, where Marcie, the film's disarming heroine, likes to shoplift. She literally crashes into Seth, a quiet outsider, also on a shoplifting spree. Marcie invites Seth to accompany her to Canada to find a black hairstyling head. They set off in Seth's beat-up station wagon, destined for a toy store in Toronto. While on the road, Marcie confides to Seth that she has Tourette's syndrome, necessitating a series of detours to liquor stories and pharmacies along the roads of upstate New York.

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Plot Keywords:

watching tv | doll | pharmacist | pharmacy | police | 

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Taglines:

Love can't be controlled.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexuality, substance abuse and strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Kate Winslet and Juliette Lewis turned down the role of Marcy.

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Goofs

In the toy store, the corpse breathes.

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Connections

References Charlie's Angels (1976)

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Soundtracks

Black Thumb
Written and Performed by Lori Carson

User Reviews

Why can't there be more films like this?

Perhaps it is the fact that I have seen too many "commercial" movies released in conjunction with a line of action figures, fast food merchandise, and pop music laden soundtracks that I was so drawn into Niagra Niagra. Furthermore, it could be the aforementioned that leaves me wishing that I could see Niagra Niagra again. While other films leave you in awe of Dolby/THX theatrical sound, or CGI special effects, Niagra Niagra leaves you with something the commercial releases have lacked for years...a thought. How rare is it that we can see a well acted, directed, and written film that leaves us asking questions about ourselves and not heading out to a fast food chain for the toys of the week?

Niagra Niagra follows two castaways from society that take to the road together in hopes of finding their way to Niagra Falls, Ontario. Along the way we are treated to snippets, excerpts as it were of our own behaviour, or rather lack thereof. As a young woman tormented by Tourettes syndrome finds no sympathy save that of her fellow castaway. Together they find more than a road to take them to Canada, and find a way to tell us how understanding and empathy appear to be on the endangered species list. Winding along ribbons of asphalt together, we find a lot of ourselves and others in these castaways and ultimately a great reflection of that endangerment of human understanding driven home through a pair of incredible performances that are not to be missed.

Niagra Niagra is an incredible film which is a MUST see, and don't worry about being "sold" the latest line of merchandise. All you need to do is enjoy the film as it is, the enjoyment and message will come naturally.

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ниагара, Ниагара

Filming Locations:

Rosendale, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,745, 22 March 1998

Gross USA:

$214,661

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$214,661

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shooting Gallery

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1