Lesser Prophets

PLOT: Three low-level Bookmakers are looking for a quick fix to get out of some hot water with a local "dick" who is after them to reclaim money that his brother took from him and subsequently lost gambling. The bookies take "a tip" from a sympathetic freak, and all hell breaks loose.

I rented this movie because the cast looked amazing, and it didn't disappoint. The plot line seems at times a bit dis-junct, but even when the story slows down, it opens up room for some brilliant performances. John Turturro is rarely seen at this level....a cross between the "wired / freaky" guy he plays in the Coen Bros films, but here he displays a sympathy that is rarely seen in this kind of character. The bookies are headed off by George DiCenzo, who almost steals the movie....Michael Badaluco (recently on "The Practice") and John Spencer round out the trio. In a scene that makes the film, Jimmy Smits is great in a cameo as a gambler who can't pay. Scott Glenn takes yet another turn as the cop who seeks retribution.

There are few gambling-mafia- type movies that offer a sincerely comical look at the world of low-level wise guys (without avoiding the cliche's that you find in almost every knock off of a Scorsese film) this film manages to pull it off, and is at times very funny in the process.

I had never heard of this movie before until a friend of mine told me had a copy. When he told me about who was in it...I was blown away that I never heard or read about it. Anyway, with no real expectations, we viewed it. Both of us had the same reaction...all in all - pretty good! It had some problems (don't most movies?), but there was so much more good than bad. The performances were great and I liked the story. The script could have used another re-write (some of the dialogue was just out in out...well...let's just say...could have been better), but the Director definitely (a first timer?) knew what he was doing. His shots were innovative and the various locations in New York, although probably used before, seemed new and fresh. A New York that exists, but rarely seen. Reminded me of the sets in Wolfen. I love films that show a city, used over and over in countless other movies, in a new light. Plus, always keep in mind...it's the Director that elicits the performances from the cast. I'm sure it didn't hurt that he had a terrific and talented cast to begin with. A dreamcast. Anyway, if you can find it...I recommend it.

On a scale of 1-10...a strong 8.

I thought this was a great film. Although there were a few mis-cast actors.....(Scott Glenn...Elizabeth Perkins?) I thought they maybe slowed it down a bit. Even as such, it was an entertaining piece of work. Unlike most movies of this genre it rode the fence of real/unreal and was very entertaining. Worth watching.

Considering that LESSER PROPHETS has a score of 5,3 and just 10 reviews, I thought it was going to be terrible but instead was merely ok, and being a fan of some of the cast members, I knew I had to bit the bullet, and I did.

It's an ensemble movie with four separate story lines (a bit reminiscent of PULP FICTION actually) where the police have three bookies under surveillance but they show up elsewhere. Leon (John Turturro) knows them and gives them a tip on a sure thing and they bet the farm, and in the meanwhile he befriends the kid of his next-door apartment that has his mother (Elizabeth Perkins) often abused by her husband who himself does some robberies from time to time with his partner Iggy (Scott Glenn). After various troubles they will all come together with another murder and some money.

I liked the performances by Turturro, Perkins, Glenn, George Di Cenzo and Mike Starr, but what brought down this movie for me was that some of the characters' actions were a bit inconsistent, and the editing looked a bit rough. Still, it falls in the time-passer category.

I rented this video because of the impressive casting, thinking it might be an amusing gem. Ha! As I watched, I thought....this movie must have been made a long time ago- like before these guys ever had acting lessons. Boy was I surprised to find out that this movie was made in 97, well after most of the actors had good reputations and choice roles. I guess this proves that bad directing can make even the best actors look pretty terrible. I rated this movie a 3. It did have a little bit of witty dialogue and it was kind of fun to watch famous, well known actors be so awful, in a perverse kind of way.