In the Soup

Cast your mind back to the early 1990s when the American indie scene spawned such wonderful movies as 'Johnny Suede', 'Barton Fink', and 'Reservoir Dogs', and this one, Alexandre Rockwell's brilliant debut 'In The Soup'. Rockwell's subsequent career didn't really go the way you'd imagine, and lately he's really slipped off the radar, but that doesn't take anything away from this wonderful little movie. And yes, it IS a "quirky indie comedy", but don't panic, it's a very good one. Indie favourite Steve Buscemi ('Reservoir Dogs', 'Fargo', 'Trees Lounge') plays Aldolpho, a pretentious wanna be movie director, who unexpectedly finds himself partners with Joe (Seymour Cassel), a small time hood. Cassel is one of those character actors who delivers the goods year in, year out, but never gets the attention he deserves. Even if you don't know his name you will recognise his face, from John Cassavetes movies to 'Rushmore'. He's almost always good, but 'In The Soup' is the best I've ever seen him. He gives a superb comic performance, and he and Buscemi work very well together (Buscemi must think so too, as he gave Cassel a small cameo in his directorial debut 'Trees Lounge'.) The rest of the cast are excellent, and include Jennifer Beals ('Vampire's Kiss'), Stanley Tucci ('The Impostors'), Will Patton ('Jesus' Son'), Sam Rockwell ('Safe Men'), Debi Mazar ('Goodfellas'), and others, as well as a quirky turn from Carol Kane ('Taxi') and director Jim Jarmusch ('Mystery Train') as producers of a nude cable TV show. Don't be put off by the "quirky indie comedy" tag, 'In The Soup' is a great movie, and highly recommended to fans of Steve Buscemi and/or Seymour Cassel.

Sometimes you're kind of reluctant to watch a movie because you don't really expect anything of it, but then you end up being so pleasantly surprised! I had that experience with "In the Soup". This film truly is a little gem as mentioned before. This strange, offbeat movie grew on me with every scene I watched. Steve Buscemi is brilliantly funny as script-writer and 'wannabe' director Adolpho. Seymour Cassel is great as well but I definitely shouldn't forget to mention Jennifer Beals.. my god, how this woman made me laugh! She was pitch perfect for her role as Buscemi's cranky Latin-American neighbor Angelica, his secret love interest who he wants to star in his movie. I can highly recommend this movie, if you're a Buscemi fan, it's a "must-see" !

What a refreshing movie! Fans of oddball movies should definitely put this on the to-watch list. Aside from a hilarious cameo by Jim Jaramusch and Carol Kane, Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassell team play the roles of wanna-be filmmaker and questionable money man like they were born to. Shot in glorious black and white, the film makes a half-hearted serious turn at the end but it is too late to really make a difference in the movie. Also watch for Will Patton's turn as yet another bizarre person.

Thanks for Amazon and their: people who bought this... also bought "In the Soup",

I ordered it. I am a fan of Steve Buscemi, so "hey you got no complaints".

What a delightful surprise this movie turned out to be. The lovely Jennifer Beals has aged so gracefully (she looks even better here than in Flashdance; more rounded out character too) and Seymour Cassel should have been nominated for an Oscar in this, I believe, mostly ignored movie. Can't even find a Roger Ebert review of it, and he usually has a nose for unusual, but good movies.

Speaking of noses, Cassel is a delight who delights in existing from day to day, always ready for an adventure, a surprise, or a bit of crime and a bit of a ca-noodle. Poor Buscemi, who is a dreamer with a script for the "great American movie" and hasn't had much of a life, is at first thrilled to meet the potential film financier (Cassel), then becomes a bit frightened of him and in the end realizes he grew as a person and made some friends and possibly can make a more simplified version of his movie after all.

Don't want to give much more away. The lovely black and white vignettes, following each other quickly give you a taste of life in a squalid part of New York. It is European in execution, a bit film-noir-ish, but unique, entertaining, and touching.

The singing rent collectors are a hoot-!

Don't miss it!

First and foremost, this movie is absolutely hilarious. If you haven't seen it, rent it and enjoy. I envy you for the experience you will have.

This movie has a very young Steve Buscemi, and he's at his best. Seymore Casselle's performance is both as funny and as powerful as his role was in Minnie and Moskowitz, and that's as big of a compliment as I could give to anyone.

The direction here is impeccable. Music is both romantic, sad and moving without it ever being heavy-handed. The pacing is neither rushed nor is it ever slow. The story feels as unpredictable as life only much more interesting. Rockwell clearly takes tips from Fellini and makes it into an American original.

If you like Bottle Rockets, Strangers in Paradise, Clerks, Bill Hicks, Daniel Johnston, James Brown…basically if you have any soul in your body, you will adore this movie.