Just the Ticket (1998)

A ticket scalper wants to make one last big deal on the pope's visit to finally do something worthwhile about his relationship.

Director:

Richard Wenk

Writer:

Richard Wenk

Stars:

Andy Garcia, Andie MacDowell, Richard Bradford

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Garcia	...	Gary Starke
Andie MacDowell	...	Linda Palinski
Richard Bradford	...	Benny Moran
Alice Drummond	...	Lady with Cash
Fred Asparagus	...	Zeus
Louis Mustillo	...	Harry the Head
Anita Elliott	...	Refund Lady at the Met
Patrick Breen	...	San Diego Vinnie
Laura Harris	...	Alice / 'Cyclops'
Don Novello	...	Tony
Ron Leibman	...	Barry the Book
Michael Willis	...	TV Customer
Jack Cafferty	...	Newscaster
Molly Wenk	...	Catholic Schoolgirl Fanny
Daniella Garcia	...	Catholic Schoolgirl Lucy (as Daniella Garcia-Lorido)

Storyline

Gary is a charming guy, but Linda is tired of his grand plans and schemes. All of which have gone down the drain. Gary is a 'scalper'. Together with his friends and his 'Guardian Angel', Benny, he buys tickets to events and sells them off at highly increased prices. This doesn't really make him rich and proves to be more difficult than usual when a new guy gets into town, strong-arming all of Gary's sources. But then the gift of heaven arrives. The Pope is coming for a visit. Gary wants to make a lot of money on this so he can finally get one of his (more decent) plans for Linda off the ground and really work on a lasting relationship with her.

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Plot Keywords:

manhattan new york city | reference to joe frazier | kiss | breakup | dog | 

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Taglines:

Irresponsible, Unreliable, Unpredictable and totally Irresistible.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ticket Scalper

Filming Locations:

141 East Roselle Avenue, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$247,585, 28 February 1999

Gross USA:

$430,404

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$430,404

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, CineSon Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The pope visit at Yankee stadium was filmed during an actual Yankee game in 1997 this is clearly noticed due to all the spectators wearing Yankee apparel outside the stadium.

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Crazy Credits

After all of the credits have run, the character of Fred Asparagus is shown selling some merchandise, accompanied by credit saying "Fred Asparagus (1947-1998)"

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Connections

Features Stargate (1994)

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Soundtracks

Money (That's What I Want)
Written by Janie Bradford and Berry Gordy
Performed by Nil Lara & Dr. John

User Reviews

10 above face

`Just The Ticket' This current trend of movies being announced for home video before, or during, a theatrical run is very heartbreaking. Good movies are lost in the stampede for the rental market, and I feel it cheapens the minor magic of seeing a film in the theater. `Another Day In Paradise', "Go", and `At First Sight' are recent examples of this. `Just The Ticket' is the latest. Appearing in the Phoenix area 6 weeks after its debut, it's also about 6 weeks before you can go to Blockbuster and rent it. Sad. What that means to me, and seemingly only me due to the reviews I have read, is that a very amiable and charming romantic-comedy-drama is going to fall below the radar with most people. Andy Garcia is an actor with an amazing dramatic charge that easily makes him one of the best actors we have. It's his choice of films that taint that assessment considerably.

I like him a lot, and `Ticket' gives Garcia that perfect opportunity to show off his range. His performance here as a ticket scalper ranks with his best work. He can take hold of the moment with the best of them, and he has an unbelievably funny scene involving the laserdisc of "Stargate". With Andie MacDowell, who I have always believed had the range of a half-empty box of Honey Nut Cherrios, Garcia creates believable chemistry. Their scenes of foreplay are truly enjoyable. The background story of `Ticket' is that they shot the New York street scenes without a permit, often having the citizens around them not aware that a movie was being made.

This aspect of the movie is its strongest asset. The dirty, low budget mentality makes the flick more enjoyable. The grainy film stock, passerby's looking into the camera, and Garcia actually seeming like he's having fun is such a breath of fresh air. It's like a student film with A list actors. Truth be told, the film falters when it reaches for more dramatically satisfying material. A drug addicted pregnant girl, a life-challenged mentor, and a rival scalper make for some weak moments. They threaten to crush the film. Somehow Garcia, with director Richard Wenk, make everything come together with a decent ending that doesn't feel forced. This isn't landmark material, but it is the rare film that isn't too forceful, and has complete faith in the power of its actors.------------- 8