Underworld (1996 film)

Underworld
Underworld
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Roger Christian
Written by	Larry Bishop
Produced by	Robert Vince; William Vince
Starring	Denis Leary; Joe Mantegna; Annabella Sciorra
Cinematography	Steven Bernstein
Edited by	Robin Russell
Music by	Anthony Marinelli
Release dates	June 1996 (Mystfest); May 9, 1997 (US)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Underworld is a 1996 neo-noir action comedy film directed by Roger Christian and starring Denis Leary, Joe Mantegna and Annabella Sciorra.^[2]

Plot[edit]

Just out of prison, Johnny Crown (Denis Leary) 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 (Joe Mantegna) 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[edit]

Denis Leary as Johnny Alt / Johnny Crown
Joe Mantegna as Frank Gavilan / Frank Cassady / Richard Essex
Annabella Sciorra as Dr. Leah
Larry Bishop as Ned Lynch
Abe Vigoda as Will Cassady
Robert Costanzo as Stan
Traci Lords as Anna
Jimmie F. Skaggs as Phil "Smilin' Phil" Fox / Todd Streeb
James Tolkan as Dan "Iceberg" Eagan
Heidi Schanz as Joyce Alt
Cristi Conaway as Julianne
Angela Jones as Janette
Michael David Simms as Mitch Reed
Amy Moon as Ava
Marc Baur as Leo

Release[edit]

In June 1996 the film premiered at Italy's Mystfest, where it was nominated for Best Film.^{[citation needed]} 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[edit]

CNN 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."^[3] 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."^{[citation needed]}