Dangerous Game
(1993)
R | 108 mins | Drama | 19 November 1993
Cast:
Harvey Keitel, Madonna, James Russo [ More ]Director:
Abel FerraraWriter:
Nicholas St. JohnProducer:
Mary KaneCinematographer:
Ken KelschEditors:
Anthony Redman, Emilio ColinaProduction Designer:
Alex TavoularisProduction Companies:
Maverick Picture Co., Cecchi Gori Pictures, Distributed by MGM/UAThe film is intercut with documentary-style footage in which the characters speak about their experiences making the motion picture, Mother of Mirrors.
On 30 Oct 1992, Screen International announced that Bad Lieutenant (1992, see entry) director Abel Ferrara, producer Edward R. Pressman, and star Harvey Keitel were set to reunite for Snake Eyes. While Pressman was ultimately not involved, his fellow Bad Lieutenant producer Mary Kane produced the project through Madonna’s new company, Maverick Picture Co. The 1 Dec 1992 Film Journal estimated a $10 million budget, which a 14 Dec 1992 Var article stated was to be financed by the Italian distributor, the Cecchi Gori Group. Although contemporary sources suggested that PentAmerica Pictures’ Silvio Berlusconi also contributed to the costs of production, a 2 Apr 1993 LAT news item reported that Berlusconi intended to gradually cut ties with the struggling company, which would continue to operate under its co-founders, Vittorio and Mario Cecchi Gori. The Los Angeles, CA-based office was only involved with Snake Eyes “on behalf of Vittorio.”
The 8 Feb 1993 DV announced that principal photography began that day, with shooting scheduled to take place in New York City and Los Angeles. Screen International claimed that Keitel directed the “film within a film” scenes of Mother of Mirrors, but he does not receive onscreen credit in that role.
A 27 Sep 1993 Var review indicated that the film premiered 9 Sep 1993 at the Venice Film Festival.
According to the 1 Jan 1994 Box, two “controversial” ...
The film is intercut with documentary-style footage in which the characters speak about their experiences making the motion picture, Mother of Mirrors.
On 30 Oct 1992, Screen International announced that Bad Lieutenant (1992, see entry) director Abel Ferrara, producer Edward R. Pressman, and star Harvey Keitel were set to reunite for Snake Eyes. While Pressman was ultimately not involved, his fellow Bad Lieutenant producer Mary Kane produced the project through Madonna’s new company, Maverick Picture Co. The 1 Dec 1992 Film Journal estimated a $10 million budget, which a 14 Dec 1992 Var article stated was to be financed by the Italian distributor, the Cecchi Gori Group. Although contemporary sources suggested that PentAmerica Pictures’ Silvio Berlusconi also contributed to the costs of production, a 2 Apr 1993 LAT news item reported that Berlusconi intended to gradually cut ties with the struggling company, which would continue to operate under its co-founders, Vittorio and Mario Cecchi Gori. The Los Angeles, CA-based office was only involved with Snake Eyes “on behalf of Vittorio.”
The 8 Feb 1993 DV announced that principal photography began that day, with shooting scheduled to take place in New York City and Los Angeles. Screen International claimed that Keitel directed the “film within a film” scenes of Mother of Mirrors, but he does not receive onscreen credit in that role.
A 27 Sep 1993 Var review indicated that the film premiered 9 Sep 1993 at the Venice Film Festival.
According to the 1 Jan 1994 Box, two “controversial” scenes were edited out to avoid an NC-17 rating. The 27 Sep 1993 Var indicated that another sequence, set at the premiere of Mother of Mirrors, was described in the Venice Film Festival program but had been removed before the picture’s theatrical debut.
Snake Eyes was retitled Dangerous Game prior to domestic release. A 6 Dec 1993 Var box-office chart reported that the film earned $17,195 during its first week at one New York City theater.
Despite largely negative reviews, several critics praised Madonna’s performance.
End credits state: “Thanks to: Coach Leather Goods; Mountain Valley Spring Water; M & B Window Fashions; Annick Goutal; Chanel; Carry-On/Gary Levy; Cannondale; All Payments Services, Inc.”; “Special Thanks to: ‘Comme Des Garcons’”; “Film Clips from The Cutting Edge courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.”; “Boxing footage courtesy of Forum Boxing, Inc.”; and, “Burden of Dreams sequence featuring Werner Herzog, A film by Les Blank with Maureen Gosling, courtesy of Flower Films.”
Although not included in onscreen music credits, Harvey Keitel's character sings lines from the song, "Taxi," written by Harry F. Chapin.
After a farewell dinner with his family in New York City, motion picture director Eddie Israel travels to Hollywood, California, to rehearse with actors Sarah Jennings and Francis “Frank” Burns on Mother of Mirrors, a film depicting the tumultuous marriage between a once successful breadwinner named “Russell,” and his newly religious wife, “Claire,” who begins to reject their heavy drug habits and unconventional sex life. As tension mounts between the characters onscreen, Eddie begins an affair with Sarah and encourages Frank to use his struggle with drug addiction to better immerse himself in the role. While filming a difficult rape scene, Sarah reveals that Frank used his Method acting approach to justify an attempted assault offscreen. One day, Eddie’s adoring wife, Madlyn, unexpectedly arrives on location with their young son, Tommy. Madlyn quickly notices that Eddie is distracted, but is forced to return home when her father dies of a heart attack. Eddie remains in Los Angeles to complete a scene, using increasingly abusive methods to push Sarah into delivering a strong performance. Afterward, he catches a redeye flight in time to attend his father-in-law’s funeral. In New York, he confesses to a long-time string of infidelities, and Madlyn scorns him for the poor example he has set for their son. Distraught, Eddie returns to Los Angeles and overdoses on drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, Frank becomes consumed by his character’s rage and drunkenly shoots Sarah in the head. ...
After a farewell dinner with his family in New York City, motion picture director Eddie Israel travels to Hollywood, California, to rehearse with actors Sarah Jennings and Francis “Frank” Burns on Mother of Mirrors, a film depicting the tumultuous marriage between a once successful breadwinner named “Russell,” and his newly religious wife, “Claire,” who begins to reject their heavy drug habits and unconventional sex life. As tension mounts between the characters onscreen, Eddie begins an affair with Sarah and encourages Frank to use his struggle with drug addiction to better immerse himself in the role. While filming a difficult rape scene, Sarah reveals that Frank used his Method acting approach to justify an attempted assault offscreen. One day, Eddie’s adoring wife, Madlyn, unexpectedly arrives on location with their young son, Tommy. Madlyn quickly notices that Eddie is distracted, but is forced to return home when her father dies of a heart attack. Eddie remains in Los Angeles to complete a scene, using increasingly abusive methods to push Sarah into delivering a strong performance. Afterward, he catches a redeye flight in time to attend his father-in-law’s funeral. In New York, he confesses to a long-time string of infidelities, and Madlyn scorns him for the poor example he has set for their son. Distraught, Eddie returns to Los Angeles and overdoses on drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, Frank becomes consumed by his character’s rage and drunkenly shoots Sarah in the head.
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