In an attempt to resurrect the slapstick comedy of Laurel and Hardy or The Marx Brothers, Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt team-up as two out-of-work actors who accidentally stowaway on a ...
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Title: The Impostors (1998)
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1 nomination.
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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 | |
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
In an attempt to resurrect the slapstick comedy of Laurel and Hardy or The Marx Brothers, Stanley Tucci and 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, a madman (Tony Shalhoub) plots the destruction of the ship and Steve Buscemi is a depressed, suicidal lounge singer named Happy Frank. Written by John Sacksteder <jsackste@bellsouth.net>
Taglines:
Why be yourself when you can be somebody else? See more »Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
2 October 1998 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ship of Fools See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$308,767, 4 October 1998, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$2,197,921, 10 January 1999Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Maurice: [as they discuss an act which they did] I'm sorry.
Arthur: You stole my death.
See more »
Written by Dorcas Cochran and Julio C. Sanders
Performed by Elizabeth Bracco and Lewis J. Stadlen
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt first met at Yale University where they developed the characters of the two unemployed actors that they play in this film. See more »Goofs
When Arthur puts his giant martini down on the counter, Happy can be seen in the background pulling it towards him. A second later when he and Emily are seen from the front talking, the martini glass is nowhere to be seen. It is too large to not be in the shot. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Maurice: [as they discuss an act which they did] I'm sorry.
Arthur: You stole my death.
See more »
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. See more »Soundtracks
(When We Are Dancing) I Get IdeasWritten by Dorcas Cochran and Julio C. Sanders
Performed by Elizabeth Bracco and Lewis J. Stadlen
See more »
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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.