Nothing to Lose (1997)

When a man (Robbins) believes he has discovered that his wife is having an affair with his boss, it sets off a chain reaction of events. First he wanders into a ghetto where a robber (... See full summary »

Director:

Steve Oedekerk

Writer:

Steve Oedekerk

Stars:

Martin Lawrence, Tim Robbins, John C. McGinley

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Lawrence	...	Terrance Paul Davidson
Tim Robbins	...	Nick Beam
John C. McGinley	...	Davis 'Rig' Lanlow
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Charlie Dunt
Kelly Preston	...	Ann Beam
Michael McKean	...	Phillip "P.B" Barrow
Rebecca Gayheart	...	Danielle
Susan Barnes	...	Delores
Irma P. Hall	...	Bertha 'Mama' Davidson
Samaria Graham	...	Lisa Davidson
Marcus T. Paulk	...	Joey Davidson (as Marcus Paulk)
Penny Bae Bridges	...	Tonya Davidson
Steve Oedekerk	...	Security Guard Baxter
Mary Jo Keenen	...	Grace
Lisa Mende	...	Emma

Storyline

When a man (Robbins) believes he has discovered that his wife is having an affair with his boss, it sets off a chain reaction of events. First he wanders into a ghetto where a robber (Lawrence) tries to take his money at gunpoint, but instead sets a wild ride from California to Arizona. The two eventually become reluctant friends. Discussing robbery techniques, they decide to get back at the boss by robbing an office safe containing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Life is further complicated by another pair of robbers who chase the first two for infringing on their territory.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | robber | boss | robbery | ghetto | 

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Taglines:

When the odds are against you, sometimes the only bet is yourself.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong language and a sex scene

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 July 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nada a Perder

Filming Locations:

Club Ed Film Set - 150th Street E, Lancaster, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,617,767, 20 July 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$44,455,658, 9 November 1997

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,000,000, 18 January 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the fact that this was filmed in the standard spherical format, "Filmed in Panavision" is listed in the end credits.

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Goofs

When Nick and T are arguing in the desert after escaping from the gas station that T robbed, there is the top of a car visible over Nick's right shoulder when they are on the drivers side of the vehicle.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nick Beam: Where do I start? It's not you. Well actually it is you. Look, I'm just not... I'm not attracted to you anymore. I need space. You kinda... you kinda gross me out. In the beginning it was different. In the beginning, you were better. But then I got to know you real well, and I came to realize... that you're a fat idiot.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits are finished, a mailman brings a letter to the hillbilly whose gas station was robbed. The letter is marked "Hillbilly Motherfucker", just as T. called him in the movie. Inside is a few hundred dollars cash. In the cut version this is changed to "Hillbilly at the gas station".

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Down and Dirty Duck (2014)

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Soundtracks

If I Had No Loot
Written by Steve Cropper, Ice Cube (as O'Shea Jackson), Raphael Saadiq,
Eddie Floyd, John Bautista, Willie Harris and Anthony Wheaton
Performed by Tony! Toni! Toné! (as Tony Toni Toné)
Courtesy of Mercury Records
By Arrangement with Polygram Film & TV Licensing
Contains a sample of "Knock On Wood"
Written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd
Performed by Eddie Floyd
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
Contains a sample of "The Wrong Nigga To Fuck Wit"
Written by Ice Cube (as O'Shea Jackson) and Anthony Wheaton
Performed by Ice Cube
Courtesy of Priority Records

User Reviews

Unlikely partners

What does one get when one mixes two different types of actors as the leads in a comedy?: A surprise! "Nothing to Lose" shows how Steve Oedekerk's gamble in casting such different actors as Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins can produce great results.

Not being a fan of Mr. Lawrence's style of comedy, we decided to take a gamble on this 1997 film that came and went without much fanfare. In fact, we had no expectations whatsoever as to what to expect because even the trailers we remember seeing at the time before its release didn't show anything of interest.

In fact, Mr. Lawrence, guided by the expert hand of Mr. Oederkerk, shows a man that can deliver without resorting to his usual excesses. Tim Robbins on the other hand shows an uncanny flair for this type of comedy and a chemistry for his co-star. Both these actors are seen at their best in the comedy.

"Nothing to Lose" feels shorter than its 98 minutes running time. There are also good supporting players behind the stars. Kelly Preston, John McGinley, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael McKean and the fabulous Irma P. Hall, who one would have loved to have seen more of because she is an extraordinary and accomplished actress.

Let this film win you over and watch it without any preconceived ideas because it's packs a lot of fun.