Rat Race (2001)

A Las Vegas casino magnate, determined to find a new avenue for wagering, sets up a race for money.

Director:

Jerry Zucker

Writer:

Andy Breckman

Stars:

Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Whoopi Goldberg

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Breckin Meyer	...	Nick Schaffer
Jenica Bergere	...	Hotel Clerk
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Owen Templeton
Carrie Diamond	...	Casino Bartender
Douglas Haase	...	Guy at Bar
Chris Myers	...	Fox Sportscaster
Kevin Frazier	...	Fox Sportscaster
Seth Green	...	Duane Cody
Gloria Allred	...	Gloria Allred
Vince Vieluf	...	Blaine Cody
Renée Lee	...	Witness in Crowd
Corinna Harney	...	Cocktail Waitress (as Corinna Harney Jones)
Jane C. Walsh	...	Cocktail Waitress
Lanei Chapman	...	Merrill Jennings (as Lanai Chapman)
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Vera Baker

Storyline

Donald P. Sinclair has placed six separate gold coins in different slot machines in his casino. The lucky six who find these coins discover an opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to own $2 million. Locked up in a locker in New Mexico, these six contestants must now race each other, to be the first to the cash. There are no rules in place and everything that could possibly happen, does. Whilst, behind the scenes, Sinclair's associates are placing their bets.

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Plot Keywords:

on the road | mother daughter reunion | rock concert | casino | money | 

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Taglines:

563 miles. 9 people. $2 million. 1001 problems!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual references, crude humor, partial nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rat Race

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,662,094, 19 August 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$56,618,055

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$85,498,534

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Alphaville Films, Fireworks Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cameo. Abdul Goznobi (of 'Old School' and 'High School High' fame) as an extra. He is in the background wearing a light green shirt as Nick checks out of the hotel in Vegas.

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Goofs

The Ford Bronco being dragged up the side of the radar tower clearly has no engine or transmission.

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Quotes

Merrill: I think this is some kind of scam!
Vera Baker: Oh good, a scam! We'll do it!

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, the cast members dance to and sing along to "All Star" at a Smash Mouth concert

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Alternate Versions

The DVD contains 6 deleted scenes:

• A scene in which one of the highrollers questions what they are doing.
• A scene where the highrollers play monopoly using real money.
• An additional scene on the Lucy bus.
• An extended version of the Lucys chasing Owen. In this scene, they are stopped by a bus of Ricky Ricardo lookalikes
• A scene in which Owen gets a ride from a moving house.
• An additional scene with the talking cow.

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Connections

References How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

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Soundtracks

Happy
by Ted Bruner & Mark Hudson
Performed by Colony
Courtesy of Beyond Music

User Reviews

A guiltless pleasure that is funny simply because it doesn't rely on a boatload of fart jokes

After seeing the first trailer for this film, I thought

it would too hokey for my tastes. However, like has happened on many other occasions, I was surprised by the humor in the film. While the principal characters were important in the movie, why didn't Wayne Knight get any billing? He's probably one of the best overweight actors since John Candy, and this guy can't get any work!? He was the only good reason to watch Seinfeld. Anyway, I felt this movie was quite a departure for some actors, and a great one for those who have made a movie such as this before. Jon Lovitz was excellent in this film, along with Mr. Bean (or Rowan Atkinson as he is called by non-Mr. Bean fans, who must be a sad group of people). The only downside to this film was the ending, which had yet another bad song by Smashmouth (and it was All-Star once again!). Overall, a good movie.