Double Whammy (2001)

A world-weary police detective who fails to stop a fast-food restaurant massacre struggles to regain his departmental reputation, public image and self-worth.

Director:

Tom DiCillo

Writer:

Tom DiCillo

Stars:

Denis Leary, Elizabeth Hurley, Luis Guzmán

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denis Leary	...	Ray Pluto
Elizabeth Hurley	...	Dr. Ann Beamer
Luis Guzmán	...	Juan Benitez
Victor Argo	...	Lt. Spigot
Chris Noth	...	Chick Dimitri
Donald Faison	...	Cletis
Keith Nobbs	...	Duke
Steve Buscemi	...	Jerry Cubbins
Maurice Compte	...	Jo Jo
Otto Sanchez	...	Ping Pong
Melonie Diaz	...	Maribel Benitez
Millie Tirelli	...	Yolanda
Kevin Olson	...	Ricky Lapinski
Joe D'Angerio	...	Detective Janks
Maurice G. Smith	...	Boover

Storyline

Ray Pluto is a detective with a problem due to the loss of his wife and daughter. One day, he is in a fast food place, and due to a pain in his back, he is not able to avoid a mass murderer of six people. A young boy uses his gun and kills the killer. He becomes a loser in the eyes of the police force and public opinion, and his partner convinces him to have a session with the chiropractor Dr. Ann Beamer. A complicated romance between them grows. Meanwhile, at least two other plots happen in the movie involving detective Pluto and other odd characters.

---

Plot Keywords:

detective | chiropractor | fast food | police | apartment | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence, some sexuality and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 2001 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Bad Luck

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apostle,Gold Circle Films,Lemon Sky Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Denis and Elizabeth will be reunited in a film with an unsure title, DAWG or BAD BOY (2002).

---

Goofs

When Maribel starts crying while helping to put the necklace back on her father, her tears are clearly evident, but in the next shot, her eyes are dry.

---

Connections

Features Narc (1988)

User Reviews

Well-done; entertaining film

Two of the most respected, famous, talented individuals in movie history - Jack Nicholson and the late Peter Sellers - have and had off-screen relationships, both professional and personal, at complete odds with their on-screen personas. In terms of his primary professional career - as a comedian - Denis Leary has a persona which can be described as harsh, earthy, laced with profanity, and with characteristics which often are vulgar. He's also very funny, but even those of us not averse to comedy with very adult language and demeanor can find some of his stuff off-putting on occasion. But on-screen, while he also presents some rough edges, in this film (as in "The Ref") he is likable, and is a also a competent actor (if not yet a "Sellers" or "Nicholson") who provides an engaging performance. In "The Ref," the splendid supporting performances by Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis, his neurotic hostages and later allies - along with the rest of the excellent cast - added to the film's enjoyment. In "Double Whammy" the beautiful and talented Elizabeth Hurley (Hugh Grant should have his head examined) and the other, supporting cast members, many recognizable for other capable performances, add to this film's enjoyment, as well.

But, back to comparison with Sellers and Nicholson, Leary is a man who in real life had been married to the same woman for nearly 25 years, half his entire life, who has significant charitable activity, who taught English (IN COLLEGE), and is as stable as these two were not - in reality.

We certainly can enjoy performances which don't reflect actors' personal/real lives (if this weren't so, movies and other entertainment media might die-out) - but it's interesting to recognize the virtues of someone like Leary, especially since, ironically, I've encountered people who eschew his movies because the don't care for his on-stage comedy persona. In this film, albeit's not being "The Maltese Falcon" or "Basic Instinct," and Leary not yet another Bogart or Michael Douglas, it still is well-cast, well-acted, and provides a competent mix of humor, action, romance, some surprises/plot twists, and drama, to provide an enjoyable hour-and-a-half spent, and rates a solid 8* (possibly even higher).