Flawless (1999)

An ultraconservative security guard suffers a debilitating stroke and is assigned to a rehabilitative program that includes singing lessons, with the drag queen next door.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer:

Joel Schumacher

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Miller

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Walt Koontz
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Rusty
Barry Miller	...	Leonard Wilcox
Chris Bauer	...	Jacko
Skipp Sudduth	...	Tommy
Wilson Jermaine Heredia	...	Cha-Cha
Nashom Wooden	...	Amazing Grace (as Nashom Benjamin)
Scott Allen Cooper	...	Ivana
Rory Cochrane	...	Pogo
Daphne Rubin-Vega	...	Tia
Vincent Laresca	...	Raymond Camacho
Karina Arroyave	...	Amber
John Enos III	...	Sonny (as John Enos)
Jude Ciccolella	...	Detective Noonan
Mina Bern	...	Mrs. Spivak

Storyline

Walt Koontz, a homophobic cop, ends up with paralyzed vocal cords because of an unfortunate stroke. His therapy includes singing lessons from a neighbor who is not only flamboyantly gay but also pre-operative transgender. Both of them are equally prejudiced; Koontz against non-heterosexuals and the neighbor against closed-minded straight people.

---

Plot Keywords:

homosexual | gay interest | gay lead character | gay republican | female impersonator | 

---

Taglines:

Todos somos iguales. (Mexico)

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and strong violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rusty's line, "It costs a lot to look this cheap", is also a personal quote attributed to Dolly Parton.

---

Quotes

Rusty Zimmerman: Darling, I am more man than you will ever be, and more woman than you will ever get.

---

Crazy Credits

During the credits, DeNiro and Hoffman sing the "Name Song" together while staying in character.

---

Connections

References Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

---

Soundtracks

Stouthearted Men
from film New Moon (1940)
Written by Sigmund Romberg & Oscar Hammerstein II
Performed by Nelson Eddy

User Reviews

Two very brilliant acting performances

Flawless is a film that is about performances from two fantastic leading men and no so much about the story or the plot itself. The movie is about an ex homophobic cop who suffers a stroke while trying to save a girl , who happens to be a friend of his gay transvestite neighbour , during a run in with some drug dealers. His doctor tells him the best way to improve his speech is to start singing lessons. He plucks up courage to ask his neigbour to teach him to sing. This film is about how the relationship grows between these two very different people and how they both work together to overcome their very different problems. De Niro is back to his best after some very average movies and the acting from Phillip Seymour Hoffman is just outstanding. I have seen Hoffman in other films such as Boogie Nights and Magnolia and was impressed then but this is his best to date. I love this film and i think you will to. Dont miss it.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Flawless

Filming Locations:

211 Avenue A, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,590,155, 28 November 1999

Gross USA:

$4,488,529

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,488,529

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tribeca Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1