The Underneath Movie Review

Recovering gambling addict Michael Chambers (Peter Gallagher) returns home after skipping out on his debts and his wife Rachel (sultry newcomer Alison Elliot) several years before. Old passions ignite in more ways than one, and Michael's lust for his ex, now married to a hot-tempered hoodlum, leads him to risk it all for a final big score. Moody and tense study of the complexities of emotion is capped by smart lead performances but style wins out over substance and the finale definitely leaves more questions than answers. Remake of the 1949 film noir classic Criss Cross, based on Don Tracy's novel of the same name.

1995 (R) 99m/C Shelley Duvall, Richard Linklater, Dennis Hill, Peter Gallagher, Alison Elliott, William Fichtner, Elisabeth Shue, Adam Trese, Paul Dooley, Joe Don Baker, Anjanette Comer, Harry Goaz, Vincent Gaskins, Tony Perenski, Helen Cates, John Martin, David Jensen, Joseph Chrest; D: Steven Soderbergh; W: Daniel Fuchs, Sam Lowry; C: Elliot Davis; M: Cliff Martinez. Nominations: Independent Spirit Awards ‘96: Best Cinematography. VHS