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Snake Eyes (film)
Encyclopedia
Snake Eyes is a conspiracy thriller film directed by Brian De Palma
, one featuring his trademark use of long tracking shots and split screens. It starred Nicolas Cage
, Gary Sinise
and Carla Gugino
.
Released in 1998, the film was written by David Koepp
and De Palma, and rated R when released to theaters on August 7 of 1998. It cost an estimated $73 million to produce, returned $103 million worldwide and received a mixed response from critics.
police detective Rick Santoro (Nicolas Cage
) attends a boxing match between Heavyweight champion Lincoln Tyler (Stan Shaw
) and a newcomer. Santoro is with his best friend, US Navy Commander Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise
), who is escorting United States Defense Secretary Charles Kirkland (Joel Fabiani
), recently arrived from a trip to Norfolk to get the results of the first test of a new missile guiding system called AirGuard. During the fight, Dunne is distracted by an attractive woman named Serena (Jayne Heitmeyer
) and his seat is taken by Julia Costello (Carla Gugino
), a mysterious woman who tries to speak to Kirkland. Before she can, he is shot by a sniper, later revealed to be an allegedly Palestinian terrorist. Dunne kills the shooter, and the police order a lockdown on the Arena. Costello escapes.
Santoro believes Costello to be connected to Kirkland's death and starts studying the security tapes in order to find her. In the process, he discovers that Tyler allowed himself to be defeated in order to pay gambling debts to the same woman who tricked Dunne into leaving his post. Believing a conspiracy to be taking place, Santoro tells everything to Dunne, unaware that he is the mastermind behind Kirkland's murder and also Serena's boss. Upon realizing that Santoro might discover everything, Dunne first murders Serena and another soldier he had used to tell Tyler when he should fake being knocked-out and then makes a deal with Tyler to aid him. He and Santoro then try to find Costello, who has taken shelter in the hotel room of a sleazy man named Ned Campbell (David Anthony Higgins
). Santoro gets to her first and discovers that Dunne is behind everything and that the results of the AirGuard test were faked to emsure its production. Costello discovered the deception and tried to warn Kirkland, but Dunne was waiting for her and arranged the entire assassination attempt in order to kill both her and Kirkland.
Santoro hides Costello in a warehouse outside the Arena and confronts Dunne, who tries to bribe Santoro into revealing Costello's location and to look the other way on the whole plan. Santoro is unable to allow someone to be killed so Dunne has Tyler beat him up. Santoro still refuses to speak, so Dunne leaves him alone and follows him to Costello's hideout, just as the Tropical Storm Jezebel breaks out outside. When Santoro and Dunne again meet face-to-face, the water enters the building, washing the badly beaten Santoro and the wounded Costello outside, where the police, tipped off by Santoro, are waiting. They confront Dunne, who, realizing that his plan has failed, commits suicide in front of TV cameras. Santoro is rewarded for his bravery, but the press soon uncovers his illegal dealings and he is fired, abandoned by his wife and his lover, loses the custody of his son and is arrested and eventually convicted. On the day before leaving for jail, Santoro meets Costello, who thanks him for helping her save many soldiers' lives. They kiss and Santoro promises that he'll give her a call after his release in 12-to-18 months. She smiles and leaves, while Santoro muses that the whole ordeal was worth it since had been on TV.
Throughout the film, there is a minor supporting role of a beautiful large-breasted woman who is seen wearing the ring with that gemstone. The video sequence of the end-credits suggests the typical organized crime practice of burying somebody in concrete; in this case, the woman who wore the red gemstone.
), with $16 million.http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1998&wknd=32&p=.htm It grossed $
55 million in North America, and $103 million worldwide. http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=snakeeyes.htm. Critical reaction was mixed, with the film receiving a 41% "Rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes
- though raised to 50% when only counting audience reviewers. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snake_eyes/
Brian De Palma
Brian Russell De Palma is an American film director and writer. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is probably best known for his suspense and crime thriller films, including such box office successes as the horror film Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission:...
, one featuring his trademark use of long tracking shots and split screens. It starred Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
, Gary Sinise
Gary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
and Carla Gugino
Carla Gugino
Carla Gugino is an American actress known for her roles of Sally Jupiter in Watchmen, Dr. Vera Gorski in Sucker Punch, Lucille in Sin City, Amanda Daniels in seasons 3, 5 and 7 of Entourage, Ingrid Cortez in the Spy Kids film trilogy, and as the lead characters of the television series Karen Sisco...
.
Released in 1998, the film was written by David Koepp
David Koepp
-Career:As a writer, Koepp has worked on such blockbuster Hollywood films as Jurassic Park, Mission Impossible, and Spider-Man. Koepp had a cameo as the "Unlucky Bastard" in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, in which he was serving as Writer and Second Unit Director.His work as a director has not had...
and De Palma, and rated R when released to theaters on August 7 of 1998. It cost an estimated $73 million to produce, returned $103 million worldwide and received a mixed response from critics.
Plot
Corrupt Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
police detective Rick Santoro (Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
) attends a boxing match between Heavyweight champion Lincoln Tyler (Stan Shaw
Stan Shaw
Stan Shaw is an American actor.Born in Chicago, Illinois, he is the son of Bertha Shaw and saxophonist Eddie Shaw, and cousin of the late soul singers Sam Cooke and Tyrone Davis Brother of Vaan Shaw...
) and a newcomer. Santoro is with his best friend, US Navy Commander Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise
Gary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
), who is escorting United States Defense Secretary Charles Kirkland (Joel Fabiani
Joel Fabiani
Joel Fabiani is an American film and television actor.Fabiani was born in Watsonville, California. He co-starred in the British espionage series Department S as Stewart Sullivan in 1969-1970...
), recently arrived from a trip to Norfolk to get the results of the first test of a new missile guiding system called AirGuard. During the fight, Dunne is distracted by an attractive woman named Serena (Jayne Heitmeyer
Jayne Heitmeyer
Jayne Heitmeyer, b. October 30, 1960 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is a Canadian actress appearing in many science fiction and horror movies and TV shows. She is best known for playing Lt. Briony Branca in the second season of Nightman, Jessie Jaworski in the 1990s TV series Sirens and Renee Palmer...
) and his seat is taken by Julia Costello (Carla Gugino
Carla Gugino
Carla Gugino is an American actress known for her roles of Sally Jupiter in Watchmen, Dr. Vera Gorski in Sucker Punch, Lucille in Sin City, Amanda Daniels in seasons 3, 5 and 7 of Entourage, Ingrid Cortez in the Spy Kids film trilogy, and as the lead characters of the television series Karen Sisco...
), a mysterious woman who tries to speak to Kirkland. Before she can, he is shot by a sniper, later revealed to be an allegedly Palestinian terrorist. Dunne kills the shooter, and the police order a lockdown on the Arena. Costello escapes.
Santoro believes Costello to be connected to Kirkland's death and starts studying the security tapes in order to find her. In the process, he discovers that Tyler allowed himself to be defeated in order to pay gambling debts to the same woman who tricked Dunne into leaving his post. Believing a conspiracy to be taking place, Santoro tells everything to Dunne, unaware that he is the mastermind behind Kirkland's murder and also Serena's boss. Upon realizing that Santoro might discover everything, Dunne first murders Serena and another soldier he had used to tell Tyler when he should fake being knocked-out and then makes a deal with Tyler to aid him. He and Santoro then try to find Costello, who has taken shelter in the hotel room of a sleazy man named Ned Campbell (David Anthony Higgins
David Anthony Higgins
David Anthony Higgins is an American comedic actor, best known for playing the roles of Craig Feldspar from Malcolm in the Middle and Mr. Bitters from Big Time Rush....
). Santoro gets to her first and discovers that Dunne is behind everything and that the results of the AirGuard test were faked to emsure its production. Costello discovered the deception and tried to warn Kirkland, but Dunne was waiting for her and arranged the entire assassination attempt in order to kill both her and Kirkland.
Santoro hides Costello in a warehouse outside the Arena and confronts Dunne, who tries to bribe Santoro into revealing Costello's location and to look the other way on the whole plan. Santoro is unable to allow someone to be killed so Dunne has Tyler beat him up. Santoro still refuses to speak, so Dunne leaves him alone and follows him to Costello's hideout, just as the Tropical Storm Jezebel breaks out outside. When Santoro and Dunne again meet face-to-face, the water enters the building, washing the badly beaten Santoro and the wounded Costello outside, where the police, tipped off by Santoro, are waiting. They confront Dunne, who, realizing that his plan has failed, commits suicide in front of TV cameras. Santoro is rewarded for his bravery, but the press soon uncovers his illegal dealings and he is fired, abandoned by his wife and his lover, loses the custody of his son and is arrested and eventually convicted. On the day before leaving for jail, Santoro meets Costello, who thanks him for helping her save many soldiers' lives. They kiss and Santoro promises that he'll give her a call after his release in 12-to-18 months. She smiles and leaves, while Santoro muses that the whole ordeal was worth it since had been on TV.
Production
The film's end credits begin with a short video sequence of construction workers putting a concrete column into place. As a construction worker takes his hand off the column and exits the shot, we see a close-up of the concrete, and see a large red gemstone protruding from the column.Throughout the film, there is a minor supporting role of a beautiful large-breasted woman who is seen wearing the ring with that gemstone. The video sequence of the end-credits suggests the typical organized crime practice of burying somebody in concrete; in this case, the woman who wore the red gemstone.
Cast
- Nicolas CageNicolas CageNicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
as Detective Rick Santoro - Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
as Commander Kevin Dunne - Carla GuginoCarla GuginoCarla Gugino is an American actress known for her roles of Sally Jupiter in Watchmen, Dr. Vera Gorski in Sucker Punch, Lucille in Sin City, Amanda Daniels in seasons 3, 5 and 7 of Entourage, Ingrid Cortez in the Spy Kids film trilogy, and as the lead characters of the television series Karen Sisco...
as Julia Costello - Joel FabianiJoel FabianiJoel Fabiani is an American film and television actor.Fabiani was born in Watsonville, California. He co-starred in the British espionage series Department S as Stewart Sullivan in 1969-1970...
as Secretary of Defense Charles Kirkland - John Heard as Gilbert Powell
- Stan ShawStan ShawStan Shaw is an American actor.Born in Chicago, Illinois, he is the son of Bertha Shaw and saxophonist Eddie Shaw, and cousin of the late soul singers Sam Cooke and Tyrone Davis Brother of Vaan Shaw...
as Lincoln Tyler (Heavyweight Champion) - Kevin DunnKevin DunnKevin Dunn is an American actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films since the 1980s. His roles include Colonel Hicks in the 1998 version of Godzilla, Sam Witwicky's father in Transformers, and Oscar Galvin, the primary antagonist in the 2010 action thriller...
as Lou Logan (Casino reporter) - Michael RispoliMichael RispoliMichael Rispoli is an American character actor. He was formerly part of the HBO television series The Sopranos as Jackie Aprile, Sr...
as Jimmy George (Rick's bookie) - Luis GuzmánLuis GuzmánLuis Guzmán is an actor from Puerto Rico. He is known for his character work. For much of his career, he has played roles largely as sidekicks, thugs, or policemen....
as Cyrus (Small-time hood) - David Anthony HigginsDavid Anthony HigginsDavid Anthony Higgins is an American comedic actor, best known for playing the roles of Craig Feldspar from Malcolm in the Middle and Mr. Bitters from Big Time Rush....
as Ned Campbell (Hotel guest) - Mike StarrMike Starr (actor)Michael "Mike" Starr is an American actor. Starr is notable for his large size, standing 6 ft 3 1/2 in , and has typically been typecast as thugs or henchmen....
as Walt McGahn (Hotel Security) - Tamara TunieTamara TunieTamara Renee Tunie is an American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of attorney Jessica Griffin on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, and medical examiner Melinda Warner on the NBC police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit...
as Anthea (TV reporter) - Jayne HeitmeyerJayne HeitmeyerJayne Heitmeyer, b. October 30, 1960 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is a Canadian actress appearing in many science fiction and horror movies and TV shows. She is best known for playing Lt. Briony Branca in the second season of Nightman, Jessie Jaworski in the 1990s TV series Sirens and Renee Palmer...
as Serena (Large-breasted woman with red gemstone)
Reception
Released on August 7, 1998, Snake Eyes debuted at No. 2 on its opening weekend (behind Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
), with $16 million.http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1998&wknd=32&p=.htm It grossed $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
55 million in North America, and $103 million worldwide. http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=snakeeyes.htm. Critical reaction was mixed, with the film receiving a 41% "Rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
- though raised to 50% when only counting audience reviewers. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snake_eyes/