Simpatico (1999)

As youths in Azusa, Vinnie, Carter, and Rosie pull off a racing scam, substituting winners for plodders and winning big bucks on long odds. When an official uncovers the scam, they set him ... See full summary »

Director:

Matthew Warchus

Writers:

Sam Shepard (original play), Matthew Warchus (screenplay)

Stars:

Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Nolte	...	Vincent Webb
Jeff Bridges	...	Lyle Carter
Sharon Stone	...	Rosie
Catherine Keener	...	Cecilia
Albert Finney	...	Simms
Shawn Hatosy	...	Young Vinnie
Kimberly Williams-Paisley	...	Young Rosie (as Kimberly Williams)
Liam Waite	...	Young Carter
Whit Crawford	...	Jean
Bob Harter	...	Louis
Angus T. Jones	...	5 Year Old Kid
Ken Strunk	...	Charlie
Ashley Guthrie Baker	...	Kelly (as Ashley Gutherie)
Maria Carretero	...	Airport Attendant
Nicole Forester	...	Female Flight Attendant

Storyline

As youths in Azusa, Vinnie, Carter, and Rosie pull off a racing scam, substituting winners for plodders and winning big bucks on long odds. When an official uncovers the scam, they set him up for blackmail. Jump ahead twenty years, Carter and Rosie are married, successful racers in Kentucky about to sell their prize stallion, Simpatico. Vinnie is a drunk in Pomona. Vinnie decides to make a play for Rosie, lures Carter to California, steals his wallet and heads for Kentucky with the original blackmail material. Carter begs Vinnie's friend, a grocery clerk named Cecilia, to follow Vinnie and get the stuff back that he has in a box. Will she succeed?

---

Plot Keywords:

kentucky | blackmail | scam | woman smoker | volkswagen beetle | 

---

Taglines:

How much can three friends share?

---

Genres:

Drama | Comedy | Crime

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sexuality, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sympatico

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,960, 19 December 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$902,144, 27 February 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Emotion Pictures,Canal+,Zeal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 101 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original 1999 stage production was directed by Sam Shepard and starred Fred Ward, Ed Harris and Beverly D'Angelo.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Simpatico/Titus/Holy Smoke/Down to You (2000)

---

Soundtracks

Opus 1 No 1 Adagio
(1760)
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn (as Franz Joseph Haydn)
Arranged by Jeff Gee
Performed by The Delme String Quartet (as Delme String Quartet)
Courtesy of Opus 1

User Reviews

More European than Hollywood in style

This is not a great film but it deserves some attention.

I am an admirer of Sam Shepard the writer, not necessarily the actor. And even though his contribution to the film is not direct, his subjects make an impact on me. I am surprised the director did not involve him in the screenplay. Of course, Shepard is more a playwright than a screenplaywriter...

I loved all the main players, especially Sharon Stone. She had a small role that was impressive.

The camerawork of John Toll always impresses; this film was no exception.

One thing was clear; the direction lacked experience--but for a first film, the output is creditable.