The Impostors (1998)

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 ... See full summary »

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:

Now the time has come...to act.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

There is a fair amount of commonality among the cast and crew of this movie and Big Night (1996). Oliver Platt (Maurice in this movie, and associate producer of Big Night (1996)). Stanley Tucci (director, writer, and Arthur in this movie, and director, writer, and Secondo in Big Night (1996)). Walker Jones (Maitre d' in this movie, Special Thanks in Big Night (1996)). Jack O'Connell (Stage manager in this movie, Man on Truck in Big Night (1996)). Tony Shalhoub (Voltri, First Mate in this movie, Primo in Big Night (1996)) Allison Janney (Maxine in this movie, Ann in Big Night (1996)). Isabella Rossellini (The Veiled Queen in this movie, Gabriella in Big Night (1996)). Campbell Scott (Meistrich in this movie, director, and Bob in Big Night (1996)).

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Goofs

When Maurice (Oliver Platt) goes in the bakery to insult the baker and tell him His pastries are stale he is offered a cream puff to taste, he then stuffs it in his mouth which amounts to some being dropped on his lapel, in the next shots his lapel is clean.

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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

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Sam Rockwell/Halsey (2018)

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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

Rib-ticklingly hilarious!!!

This is a top-notch comedy at the most audacious level. I once heard someone say that door-slamming farcical comedy never works on film; and I think this is one of the movies that proves them wrong. It reminded me of the brilliant stage farce "Noises Off" (which was also turned into a movie with fairly successful results).

I thought the opening title gags were brilliant, especially Oliver Platt. I loved Billy Connolly as a camp tennis player and Allison Janney as a gangster's moll. I also thought Alfred Molina, Tony Shalhoub, Campbell Scott, Steve Buscemi and Matt McGrath were brilliant as well. The pastry shop scene and Tucci crying poor were also outstanding highlights.

My only slight criticism with this film is that the pacing seemed a tiny bit slow at times, but otherwise this is an exceptional storyline. This is definitely the sort of movie I'd like to see a lot more of. It also proves that they CAN make 'em like they used to.

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