This World, Then the Fireworks Movie Review 1997

Long on style but short on substance, overwrought neo-noir tells the tragic tale of traumatized twins living a totally debauched life. After seeing their father murdered in a romantic triangle, which left their mother (McClanahan) with physical and emotional scars, brother Marty (Zane) and sister Carol (Gershon) cling to each other as they grow up and engage in an implied incestuous relationship. The duo winds up grifters, murdering and pillaging their way through a small coastal town in the 1950s. Lee plays a messed-up cop who, tragically, becomes an easy mark for Marty. Based on a 1955 short story by Jim Thompson, director Oblowitz's debut gets too caught up in the excesses of pulp and focuses on slick visuals and dramatic score over a coherent story. Well-cast performances are universally solid and engaging.

Distribution

Orion Home Video, MGM, 2500 Broadway, 3515, Santa Monica, CA 90404-3036, Phone: (310)449-3000, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 100 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adapted from a Story, Books to Film: Jim Thompson, Incest, Contemporary Noir, Scams, Stings & Cons, L.A., Period Piece: 1950s, Crimes of Passion, Twins

Screenplay

Larry Gross

Cast

Billy Zane, Gina Gershon, Sheryl Lee, Rue McClanahan, Seymour Cassel, Will Patton, Richard Edson, William Hootkins

Cinematography

Tom Priestley

Director

Michael Oblowitz

Music

Pete Rugolo

Producer

Brad Wyman, Largo Ent., Orion Pictures