Underworld (1996 film)


Underworld is a 1996 neo-noir action comedy film directed by Roger Christian and starring Denis Leary, Joe Mantegna and Annabella Sciorra.

Plot

Just out of prison, Johnny Crown is running a bit late for a meeting he's been waiting seven years to attend. First he has a little unfinished business to take care of: hunt down every last man responsible for taking out his dad. Like everything else Johnny does, he's going to do it his way – in style. With his mysterious friend Frank Gavilan along for the ride, Johnny's out to uncover just who masterminded his father's hit, and settle the score for good, on one eventful Father's Day.

Cast

In June 1996 the film premiered at Italy's Mystfest, where it was nominated for Best Film. It was also shown at the Austin Film Festival on October 10, 1996. The film was released in the United States on May 9, 1997.

Reception

reviewer Paul Tatara gave a highly negative review of the film, dubbing it as "...very violent, very profane, and very bad. There's less killing at your local slaughterhouse, and the dialogue is probably sharper." Anita Gates of The New York Times noted that the film with all its flaws was "Fine actors in the lead roles struggle to maintain their dignity and to breathe some believability into these characters, who all talk strangely alike, and to an admirable degree they succeed."