The Minus Man (1999)

A cold-blooded serial killer floats around the country and chooses his victims from people who complain about their lives and indicate a willingness to be killed. His murders are introduced... See full summary »

Director:

Hampton Fancher

Writers:

Lew McCreary (novel), Hampton Fancher (screenplay)

Stars:

Owen Wilson, Sheryl Crow, Dwight Yoakam

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Owen Wilson	...	Vann
Sheryl Crow	...	Casper
Dwight Yoakam	...	Blair
Dennis Haysbert	...	Graves
Alex Warren	...	State Trooper
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Jane
Chloe Black	...	Karen - Age 18
Brian Cox	...	Doug
Eric Mabius	...	Gene
Larry Miller	...	Paul
Lois Gerace	...	Lois
Erik Holland	...	Coach
Danny 'Big Black' Rey	...	Arthur (as Daniel 'Big Black' Rey)
Janeane Garofalo	...	Ferrin
Axel Ovregaard	...	Joe La Moine

Storyline

A cold-blooded serial killer floats around the country and chooses his victims from people who complain about their lives and indicate a willingness to be killed. His murders are introduced with the killing of an asthmatic junkie. The killer settles into a seaside rooming house run by an unhappy married couple and waits for his next victims to unveil themselves. Dream cops plague his nights, while plotting his murders. Meanwhile, he also starts a relationship with a postal clerk.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | seaside | postal clerk | post office | drink | 

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Taglines:

conversation usually follows

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az idegen

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,292, 12 September 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$368,808, 24 October 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shooting Gallery, Fida Attieh Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At 01:20:27, the Durwins are watching the news on their television set when the news anchor states: "A forty-nine-year-old unidentified man went berserk last night in a crowded downtown restaurant.". That exact statement is featured at the beginning of the song "What Time Is It?" on the Spin Doctors debut album "Pocket Full Of Kryptonite" (1991).

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Goofs

The license plates on Ferrin's Volkswagen change from one shot (2VIT788) to the next (5C49127).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Vann Siegert: [Vann walks into a bar, seeing a lady and a bartender] Do you have any pie?
Bartender: Nope.
Vann Siegert: Hmm.
Bartender: No pie. No pizza. No kitchen. Just booze.
Laurie Bloom: You got pickles.
[the three of them look at the pickle jar that's full of yellow juice and yellow pickles]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Stir of Echoes/The Minus Man/Suger Town/Best Laid Plans/On the Ropes (1999)

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Soundtracks

Siesta
Written and Performed by Alec Milstein and Ron Cohen
Courtesy of Jim Long Music (ASCAP) / First Digital Music (BMI) /
Zomba Music Services

User Reviews

A good script, good acting, and new twist on serial killers

Vann Siegert (Owen Wilson) is a quiet, friendly, young man. Although a bit slow-witted and new to town, he quickly develops a close relationship with the couple he boards with (Brian Cox and Mercedes Ruehl), is being pursued by an amorous co-worker (Janeane Garofalo) and distinguishes himself as go-getter at the Post Office. There is one little thing that sets him apart from everybody else - he's a serial killer.

Minus Man is atypical of the films in this genre: there have been few trailers, it boasts no A-list stars, blood and guts are nowhere to be found, there is little melodrama, and it has a tight, well-crafted script. While the film seems to plod along, the pacing is deliberate and just when you're ready to walk it sucks you back in.

Wilson, (looking remarkably like a young Dennis Hopper) is spellbinding: he projects an innocence and vulnerability that not only makes you forget he's a murderer, but leaves you feeling sorry for him. Garofalo meanwhile, is uncharacteristically bubbly, and has no dialogue that dwells on bitterness and self-loathing. Sheryl Crow and Dwight Yokum also turn in admirable appearances.

If you're looking for a change of pace from the Hollywood grind, this is a risk well worth taking.