| The Gingerbread Man | 
 enlarge | Director: Robert Altman
Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr., Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger
Studio: Polygram USA Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $2.47
You Save: $12.51 (84%)
New (10) Used (24) Collectible (1) from $2.47
Avg. Customer Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 105422
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 114
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 2
Picture Format: Array
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 630511286X
UPC: 044008504924
EAN: 9786305112860
ASIN: 630511286X
Theatrical Release Date: January 23, 1998
Release Date: September 29, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Previously viewed DVDs. Shrinkwrapped in mint condition ***100% GUARANTEED!!!***
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
When released in 1997, The Gingerbread Man was the only John Grisham movie that did not use one of the popular novelist's bestsellers as its inspiration. Rather, it's based on an original screenplay by Grisham that displays the author's familiar flair for Southern characters and settings within a labyrinthine plot propelled by his trademark narrative twists and turns. Sporting a spot-on Georgian accent, Kenneth Branagh plays a Savannah attorney who comes to the assistance of a troubled woman (Embeth Davidtz) and finds himself enmeshed in a scenario involving the woman's father (Robert Duvall) that grows increasingly complex and dangerous, where nothing, of course, is really as it seems. It's a totally absorbing movie made in the modern film-noir tradition; what's most interesting here (and most underrated by critics at the time) is the combination of Grisham's mainstream mystery and the offbeat style of maverick director Robert Altman. Despite a battle with executives that nearly caused Altman to disown the film, The Gingerbread Man demonstrates the director's skill in bringing a fresh, characteristically offbeat approach to conventional material, especially in the use of a threatening hurricane to hold the plot in a state of dangerous urgency. Unfortunately overlooked during its theatrical release, this intelligent thriller provides a fine double bill with Francis Coppola's film of Grisham's The Rainmaker. --Jeff Shannon
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 Kenneth Branagh's Sticky and Sweet Tour October 16, 2008
"The Gingerbread Man" was a departure for the late auteur Robert Altman. As David Mamet made a successful entree in costume drama was "The Winslow Boy",so did Altman made a less-than-successful entree in a mainstream,John Grisham thriller. It's heavy-handed,silly,and in its own way,an unlikely cult classic.
"Gingerbread Man" is about a successful Savannah attorney (Kenneth Branagh) Branagh's hammy take on a Southern accent is as sappy as a sugary mint julep. He finds himself smitten with a client (Embeth Davidtz) who claims that her father (Robert Duvall) is a violent cult leader. There are some hilarious love scenes,that arouse... laughter. The minor characters,however,turn in some good performances that make the movie watchable. Duvall is excellent as the violent father, Daryl Hannah is great as the dowdy assistant,and Robert Downey,Jr. is credible as an alcoholic attorney. They keep the movie going even when the plot is ludicrous. The closing scene,in an odd way,is an interesting meditation on gun control laws when Branagh realizes he's in a legal trap. It's open-ended when it comes to his fate.
"Gingerbread Man" is a sugary cookie.
 Underrated, overlooked film noir masterpiece August 11, 2008
Before you think "oh, yet another Grisham book made into a film", think again. This is a totally unique film noir with a huge ensemble cast. It maintains the "noir" feel throughout the film until the closing credits, thanks to Robert Altman. In this film you get Kenneth Brannagh in the lead as a prominent litigator, Robert Downey as a sleazy P.I., Darryl Hannah as the long suffering wife, Embeth Davitz as the "woman in trouble", Robert Duvall as a grizzled outback man, Famke Jannsen, Tom Berenger, etc. Get it, and keep it because the DVD is probably rare.
 Interesting October 30, 2007
Whether doing Shakespeare or otherwise, Kenneth Branagh is an awesome actor. Sure, TGM is not exactly a "movie of the year" or anything but it was entertaining enough to be worth watching. Like with all these types of movies, there's a twist. For me, the test for a good movie is: can I figure out the twist before the movie reveals it. On this one, I didn't. There were some big-name actors in this one but most of them seemed to have relatively minor roles. Strange.
Anyway, overall, TGM was an interesting movie.
Recommended.
Branagh in Savannah March 27, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I haven't anything to say on the movie as a whole - it's a grade-B thriller, creaky and contrived - but I wanted to add my 2 cents' worth on the phenomenon of Branagh the impersonator. I live in central east Georgia, and it has been my misfortune to spend quite a lot of time in the company of Savannah lawyers; Kenneth Branagh's character in this movie could have slipped into one of those practices like hair into hair oil. The look, the walk, the gestures, the speech - all of it seemed to me perfect. I am not native to Georgia, it's true, but I've lived here for 6 years, and usually accents bother me. Branagh's art - his ear, his technique - is something special.
So, if you're interested in him, or in mimicry in general, you will get something out of this over-all low-grade film.
A Savannahian's Review of "The Gingerbread Man" January 29, 2006
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
The "film noir" lives in the '90s! GREAT characterizations and suspense right up until the final, crashing denouement!
The cinematography is outstanding, and the skilful use of the impending "descent" of a hurricane only adds to the urgency with which the script effectively and satisfyingly "bustles" you along.
'
Robert Duvall's performance brings to mind an older, but basically unchanged "Boo Radley."
Branagh, Duvall, Downey, Hannah, Jansen.........great cast!
Four and 1/2 stars from me!
|
|
|
