Point of Origin (2002)

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

Director:

Newton Thomas Sigel

Writer:

Matthew Tabak

Stars:

Ray Liotta, John Leguizamo, Colm Feore

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Liotta	...	John Orr / Aaron Stiles
John Leguizamo	...	Keith Lang
Colm Feore	...	Mike Matassa
Cliff Curtis	...	Mike Camello
Bai Ling	...	Wanda Orr
Illeana Douglas	...	Kate
Ronny Cox	...	Chief Gray
Mike Camello	...	Glen Lucero
Nora Zehetner	...	Trish
Sophia Bush	...	Carrie Orr
Sandra Lee Gimpel	...	Stella Cove (as Sandy Gimpel)
Miles Schneider	...	Kenny
Ingrid Rogers	...	Ambria
Maree Cheatham	...	Gabby Finn
Graham Beckel	...	Clarence Hyde

Storyline

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

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Plot Keywords:

fire | california | 1980s | arson | arson investigator | 

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Taglines:

When fire becomes an obsession... truth becomes stranger than fiction.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Point of Origin

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, New Redemption Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming in the hardware store set, located behind Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel, a special effects technician suffered first and second degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

User Reviews

Well Done look at true story of the Glendale Arsonist.

Much better than most TV and Cable-TV produced movies, with some very nice cinematic stylings.

If you know nothing about the actual events, this will be more enjoyable and more interesting than if you already know the story. There are certain plot points that obscure some of the fire-setting activities and create suspense and drama that won't exist if you already know the story.

Even if you know basically what happened, it's interesting to see the events unfold and how those involved discovered the truth about the multitude of arson fires set around the Glendale and Los Angeles areas.

No spoilers here to ruin it for you, and it is recommended highly by this viewer.