Phone Booth (2002)

Publicist Stuart Shepard finds himself trapped in a phone booth, pinned down by an extortionist's sniper rifle. Unable to leave or receive outside help, Stuart's negotiation with the caller leads to a jaw-dropping climax.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer:

Larry Cohen

Stars:

Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Farrell	...	Stu Shepard
Kiefer Sutherland	...	The Caller
Forest Whitaker	...	Captain Ramey
Radha Mitchell	...	Kelly Shepard
Katie Holmes	...	Pamela McFadden
Paula Jai Parker	...	Felicia
Arian Ash	...	Corky
Tia Texada	...	Asia
John Enos III	...	Leon
Richard T. Jones	...	Sergeant Cole
Keith Nobbs	...	Adam
Dell Yount	...	Pizza Guy
James MacDonald	...	Negotiator (as James Macdonald)
Josh Pais	...	Mario
Yorgo Constantine	...	ESU Commander

Storyline

Stu Shepard is a fast talking and wise cracking New York City publicist who gets out of trouble and lies with his clever charm, connections, and charisma. Stu's greatest lie is to his wife Kelly, who he is cheating on with his girlfriend, Pam. Upon answering a call in a phone booth in belief it is Pam, Stu is on the line with a dangerous yet intelligent psychopath with a sniper rifle. When realizing it is not a joke, Stu is placed in a powerful mind game of wits and corruption. The New York City Police eventually arrive thereafter and demand Stu comes out of the phone booth- but how can he when if he hangs up or leaves the booth he will die?

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Plot Keywords:

single set production | hostage | mind game | psychopath | containment | 

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Taglines:

Your life is on the line.

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Katie Holmes and Colin Farrell have been in Batman movies. Holmes played Rachel Dawes in Batman Begins (2005) Farrell is playing The Penguin in The Batman (2021). Joel Schumacher directed both Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997).

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Goofs

When Stu moves his face in one of the close-ups you can see an ear piece in his left ear.

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Quotes

The Caller: Looks like someone watches the news
Stu: Who?
The Caller: [laughs] The motel.

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Crazy Credits

The 20th Century Fox logo blends into the white clouds that open the film.

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Alternate Versions

The FX Network airs this movie with Jared Leto's deleted scene reinserted to bring up the film's running time to fit a two-hour block.

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Connections

References Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

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Soundtracks

Operator
Written by William Spivery
Produced by Nathan Larson

User Reviews

Entertaining and full of suspense!

This is the kind of movie that is rare these days. It didn't cost an arm and a leg to make, it stars some good actors and the story line was plausible.

The Hitchcock influence is obvious and the pacing of the film was just right. This is the best work of director Schumacher. The lead could have been played by any yuppie looking actor but Colin Farrell does a good job anyway in a role that puts you in his character's place.

It's hard to make a movie work when it takes place in a confined space with few characters, but when those movies succeed, it shows. And that's how it is with "Phone Booth."

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swahili

Release Date:

4 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Phone Booth

Filming Locations:

211 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,021,088, 6 April 2003

Gross USA:

$46,566,212

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,837,138

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Zucker/Netter Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1