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Sea of Love

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
47K
YOUR RATING
Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin in Sea of Love (1989)
Erotic ThrillerSerial KillerWhodunnitCrimeDramaMysteryRomanceThriller

A detective investigating a series of murders becomes involved with a woman who may be the culprit.A detective investigating a series of murders becomes involved with a woman who may be the culprit.A detective investigating a series of murders becomes involved with a woman who may be the culprit.

  • Director
    • Harold Becker
  • Writer
    • Richard Price
  • Stars
    • Al Pacino
    • Ellen Barkin
    • John Goodman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    47K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Harold Becker
    • Writer
      • Richard Price
    • Stars
      • Al Pacino
      • Ellen Barkin
      • John Goodman
    • 149User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Photos158

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino
    • Frank Keller
    Ellen Barkin
    Ellen Barkin
    • Helen
    John Goodman
    John Goodman
    • Sherman
    Michael Rooker
    Michael Rooker
    • Terry
    William Hickey
    William Hickey
    • Frank, Sr.
    Richard Jenkins
    Richard Jenkins
    • Gruber
    Paul Calderon
    Paul Calderon
    • Serafino
    Gene Canfield
    Gene Canfield
    • Struk
    Larry Joshua
    Larry Joshua
    • Dargan
    John Spencer
    John Spencer
    • Lieutenant
    Christine Estabrook
    Christine Estabrook
    • Gina Gallagher
    Barbara Baxley
    Barbara Baxley
    • Miss Allen
    Patricia Barry
    Patricia Barry
    • Older Woman
    Mark Phelan
    Mark Phelan
    • Second Murdered Man
    Michael O'Neill
    Michael O'Neill
    • Raymond Brown
    Michael Fischetti
    • Doorman
    Luis Antonio Ramos
    Luis Antonio Ramos
    • Omar Maldonado
    • (as Luis Ramos)
    Rafael Báez
    • Efram Maldonado
    • Director
      • Harold Becker
    • Writer
      • Richard Price
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to the DVD documentary, included in the final cut of the film is a scene where Al Pacino's character gets rudely bumped into on 5th Avenue while trying to court Ellen Barkin's character. According to director Harold Becker, this was an unscripted moment caused by a real New Yorker, and not an extra. Pacino incorporates the moment into his performance, and continues without missing a beat.
    • Goofs
      When Frank visits Helen in the shoe store, she takes his shoe off. He never puts it back on, and he leaves the store in a huff.
    • Quotes

      Frank Keller Sr.: [a poem by Frank's mother written in 1934 while she was in high school] I live alone within myself, like a hut within the woods; I keep my heart high upon the shelf, barren of other goods; I need another's arms to reach for it, and place it where it belongs. I need another's touch and smile, to fill my hut with songs.

    • Alternate versions
      Several scenes featuring Lorraine Bracco as Al Pacino's wife were cut before release and reinserted for the film television premiere. These additions were all included on the Universal Thrillers VHS edition of the film. They are as follows: 1) Frank sees a suspicious man on the street and calls for back-up from a nearby pay phone. It is revealed that this man is a personal bodyguard for a child at a nearby school. Parts of this scene were included in the original theatrical trailer. 2) The complete scene with Lorraine Bracco in which she pleads with Frank to stop bothering her and her husband. She also reveals that she is pregnant. 3) Frank comes home to his apartment and is surprised by his father, played by William Hickey, who is already in the apartment. His father tells him about an old partner who just passed away.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Sea of Love/True Love/The Big Picture/Shirley Valentine/The Rachel Papers (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Sea of Love
      (End Title Version)

      Performed by Tom Waits

    User reviews149

    Featured review
    8/10

    Edgy, smart thriller

    Great screenplay, acting and settings combine to make a dynamite film. The constant tension between the police investigation and Pacino's love interest keep the suspense going strong, and the chemistry between Barkin and Pacino is fabulous. John Goodman is excellent as always, the sex/death themes add to the tension, and the ending will throw most for a loop... this film delivers. Try it, you'll like it.

    8/10
    • The_Core
    • Jan 20, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Sea of Love?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mar de amor
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada(as 'New York' interiors)
    • Production company
      • Bregman/Baer Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $19,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $58,571,513
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,017,840
      • Sep 17, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $110,879,513
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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