The Real Thing

"Their plan was simple. Get the cash."

1996 1h 29m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 5

CrimeAction

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Their plan was simple...Get the Cash. As Rupert, an ex-con, tries to go straight, his younger brother James pursues a life of delinquency. Days after being released from jail, James is gunned down and lies waiting in a hospital for a liver transplant. In a desperate attempt to save his brother's life, Rupert decides to execute a heist at a downtown club on New Year's Eve that will give him the money he needs. Rupert assembles an eclectic crew of ex-cons, including his best friend and his ex-girlfriend. Rupert and his gang converge on the nightclub for a climax that spins out of control. New Year's Eve has never been so explosive!

“Their plan was simple. Get the cash.”

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Cast

James Russo
Rupert Little
Jeremy Piven
John
Fabrizio Bentivoglio
Alfredo Donati
Robert LaSardo
Eric Fidel
Ashley Laurence
Carla
Emily Lloyd
Lisa Tuttle
Dave Buzzotta
James Little
Rod Steiger
Victor

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: James Merendino
Writers: Rustam Branaman, James Merendino
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

30 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by James Merendino, shot by Bernard Salzmann. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Peter Leinheiser. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Esther P. Russell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

James Russo and Jeremy Piven and Fabrizio Bentivoglio carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Their plan was simple. Get the cash.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0113675 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

James Merendino directs. Bernard Salzmann behind the camera. Peter Leinheiser scores. Esther P. Russell cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
230 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by James Merendino, shot by Bernard Salzmann. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Peter Leinheiser. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Esther P. Russell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6James Russo and Jeremy Piven and Fabrizio Bentivoglio carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Their plan was simple. Get the cash.".
8IMDB entry: tt0113675 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 5 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.