The Impostors (1998)

Wrongly accused of physically abusing a fellow actor, starving thespians Arthur and Maurice find themselves pursued by the law aboard a cruise ship.

Director:

Stanley Tucci

Writer:

Stanley Tucci

Stars:

Oliver Platt, Stanley Tucci, Walker Jones

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oliver Platt	...	Maurice
Stanley Tucci	...	Arthur
Walker Jones	...	Maitre D'
Jessica Walling	...	Attractive Woman
David Lipman	...	Baker in Kramer's Pastries
E. Katherine Kerr	...	Gertrude in "Hamlet"
George Guidall	...	Claudius in "Hamlet"
William Hill	...	Bernardo in "Hamlet"
Alfred Molina	...	Sir Jeremy Burtom
Michael Emerson	...	Burtom's Assistant
Jack O'Connell	...	Stage Manager
Matt Malloy	...	Mike / Laertes in "Hamlet"
Ted Blumberg	...	Francisco in "Hamlet"
Lili Taylor	...	Lily 'Lil'
Tony Shalhoub	...	Voltri, First Mate

Storyline

In an attempt to resurrect the slapstick comedy of Laurel and Hardy or The Marx Brothers, Arthur (Stanley Tucci) and Maurice (Oliver Platt) team-up as two out-of-work actors who accidentally stowaway on a ship to hide from a drunken, belligerent lead actor who has sworn to kill them for belittling his talents. Of course, the lead actor end up on the ship as well. Also, madman Voltri, First Mate (Tony Shalhoub) plots the destruction of the ship, and Happy Franks (Steve Buscemi) is a depressed, suicidal lounge singer.

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Plot Keywords:

ship | actor | singer | written and directed by cast member | bomb | 

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Taglines:

Why be yourself when you can be somebody else?

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The incident in which Sir Jeremy Burtom (Alfred Molina) slaps Mike (Matt Malloy) with a sword during a performance was based on a real-life incident in which Nicol Williamson struck a fellow actor on the buttocks with a sword during a performance of "I Hate Hamlet". Williamson also exemplified his disdain for the play and his castmates by breaking character and badmouthing the material on and off-stage.

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Goofs

When Happy Franks sits at the bar and sees the sleeping pills, the bottle has the address printed on it, including the ZIP code. ZIP codes were not used until 1963.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Maurice: [as they discuss an act which they did] I'm sorry.
Arthur: You stole my death.

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Crazy Credits

As the closing credits roll, the entire cast performs a line dance, starting on the ocean liner set and working their way out of the soundstage.

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Connections

References Some Like It Hot (1959)

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Soundtracks

Siboney
Written by Dolly Morse and Ernesto Lecuona
Performed by Alfredo Britto and His Siboney Orchestra
Courtesy of BMG Classics

User Reviews

Brilliant, original, funny, but not for everyone

I loved this movie, yet I can see why others hated it. This is not the comic food we have grown up on. It is a different cuisine that tastes strange at first, but if given a chance, rewards with fresh, delicious sensations at every bite.

Early in this movie our actor heros take turns mugging an emotion on command. I think this moment is the key to understanding the entire film. Almost every scene is painted by facial expressions and body language. The editing lingers to give us time to enjoy each portrait, then cuts a bit further along in the story than we are used to. This unfamiliar timing gives the strong cast a chance to act rather than react. The story is about actors, but the movie is a tribute to comedic acting.

If you want a formula comedy, rent something else. If you want movie that is funny, warm, original, and brilliant and are willing to give its different pace a chance, put this film at the top of your list and plan to view it twice.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ship of Fools

Filming Locations:

Murdoch Hall - 114 Clifton Place, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$308,767, 4 October 1998

Gross USA:

$2,198,044

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,198,044

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Cold Piece, Fox Searchlight Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1