The Impostors

Amazon.com

It's unfortunate to report that The Impostors--a misguided, but slightly noble, attempt to return to both the Hope and Crosby Road movies as well as the screwball comedies of the '30s and '40s--really, really doesn't work. Writer, director, and star Stanley Tucci (who created the gorgeous Big Night) plays Arthur, who along with Maurice (Oliver Platt) finds himself stowing away on an ocean liner and forced into multiple masquerades. The film has a dream cast of supporting players, including Steve Buscemi, Tony Shalhoub, Isabella Rossellini, and Campbell Scott, but the humor never works and this vessel founders quickly. --Keith Simanton

Description

Meet Authur (Stanley Tucci) and Maurice (Oliver Platt), two out-of-work actors who escape from the police by stowing away aboard a luxury liner. But soon the ship hits the fan, and the impostors must give the performance of a lifetime - not only to evade the authorities, but to foil the dastardly plot of a deranged crewman who has explosive plans for eveyone on board.

Customer Reviews:

Sail Away with the Underrated IMPOSTORS.......2007-08-29

Had I not hosted a free screening of this film almost a decade ago, I would have never seen it. Stanley Tucci wrote, directed, and starred in the film alongside Platt. It is a bizzare comedy about two out-of-work actors that stow away aboard a cruise ship amidst some even more bizarre characters.

You will find it hard not to laugh. How much you laugh, however, will depend greatly on your sense of humor. Fortunately, the actors and actresses play their parts so well, that the film is able to pull off a number of scenes that would have crashed and burned with different stars.

You might think me crazy as the story unfolds, but I guarantee you'll find a laugh somewhere.

Alfred Molina, Tony Shalhoub, Steve Buscemi, Allison Janney, Isabella Rossellini, and Billy Connolly are also on board to make sure this cruise sails into uncharted waters. Even Woody Allen makes a very humorous cameo appearance.

If you are looking for something different to watch and don't limit yourself to high budget blockbusters, become acquainted with THE IMPOSTORS.

Sadly underrated ensemble comedy.......2007-02-08

Well, I've rented this thing so many times, it's time to buy it and give it a place of honor in my small collection. I think this is one of the best ensemble comedies made in the past twenty years. Sure, everyone in it is hamming it up, but they're all so talented that they pull it off.

I admit, I have friends who were not crazy about this movie, especially the first part pre-ocean liner. But I think the main two guys are very funny with their little scam at the baker's shop, and Tucci's "beggars" speech, even in what could be considered the setup for the meat of the movie. I thought the beginning credits over the muted restaurant scene was hilarious. And once they are on the ship, look out, all sorts of talented actors are trying like heck to out-overact each other. My favorites are Billy Connelly ("That's where we'll wrestle, my semi-Grecian lad!") and Campbell Scott ("It has made me also... moist.) Isabella Rosellini, Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis - they're all fun.

You have to be able to get into the mindset of the thing, suspend your disbelief, and go to that naive, silly place in your brain. If you are a person who can do that, get this movie. Otherwise, maybe not.

the impostors.......2006-11-10

It was terrible! Lili played a good part of course. But the rest was just plain stupid!

i get it, but should have been better.......2005-12-23

with the great cast i expected more. i get how this was a tribute to the comedy-duo teams of laurel and hardy and the like but it didn't all work for this viewer.there are alot of giggles throughout but they are not all out laughs.i love the cast and they all do their best with what they are given.i really wanted to like this movie,but at best it was only ok.i'd love to see more movies like this done better and hopefully there will be.we need comedy teams like laurel and hardy today.if stiller and wilson is the best that hollywood has to offer than i'm afraid that comedy-duos are a thing of the past.

Lighthearted, fun ode to old screwball comedies.......2004-12-29

Comedy fans who aren't much interested in classic films may not really "get" this film. They may get turned off by what they see as exaggerated acting and meandering plot, not understanding that both are done on purpose. Hopefully not though, as this film is still funny on the surface.

This is, however, an absolute "must-see" for anyone who likes the Marx brothers, Laurel & Hardy, or any of those great screwball comedies from the 30's and 40's. For most films of that genre, the plots only served as a template for a series of funny exchanges or situations. Stanley Tucci, and Oliver Platt deliver hilarious performances as poor, bumbling actors whose ambition far outweigh their intelligence. They use their wits, such as they are, to hide on a cruise ship from a famous alcoholic actor they rumbled with (the wonderfully hammy Alfred Molina) and a campy German cruise employee (Campbell Scott), who would seem better served running a Gestapo. The stowaways find help from another ship employee (Lili Taylor, playing against type, looking adorably lovely) and her weak but friendly Italian boyfriend. One would fear that their romance would spoil parts of the movie as such sublots are prone to do, but thankfully, the makers stuck to comedy the whole way.

Probably the most impressive aspect of this relatively lesser-known film is the great supporting cast. In addition to Molina, Scott and Taylor, we get fine (as well as fun to watch) performances from Steve Buscemi, Alison Janney, Billy Connolly, Richard Jenkins and Tony Shalhoub. In addition, Hope Davis, Woody Allen, and Isabella Rossellini have minor roles.

This film will entertain people on differing levels, depending on their comedy taste, but I would definitely recommend this one who has enjoyed an old film, or seeks out humor off-the-beaten-path.

Average customer rating:

what does it mean to be human?
Good for watching once...
Do You Know Who You Are?
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!
Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know...

Impostor (Director's Cut)
Starring: Gary Sinise , Madeleine Stowe , Vincent D'Onofrio , Tony Shalhoub , and Tim Guinee
Director: Gary Fleder
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000640VR
Release Date: 2002-07-09

Amazon.com

Based on a short story by sci-fi master Philip K. Dick, Impostor holds considerable appeal for genre enthusiasts, who will instantly recognize trace elements of the Dick-based Total Recall and Blade Runner. Fortunately, derivative plotting doesn't detract from director Gary Fleder's capable handling of briskly paced action involving Spencer Olham (Gary Sinise), a weapons designer suspected of being an alien robot with an assassin's agenda. The year is 2079; Earth is at war with an alien race called the Centauri, and its dome-sealed cities are intensely monitored by the Earth Security Agency. A high-tech chase ensues between Olham and his ESA pursuer (Vincent D'Onofrio), testing the bond of trust between Olham and his physician wife (Madeleine Stowe). This marital subplot gives the film's twist ending additional impact, and Dick's recurring themes of lost identity and drug-altered reality are handled with adequate sophistication, while cool gadgetry and sharp visual effects compensate for the plot holes. --Jeff Shannon

Description

An exciting, action-packed sci-fi story from the author of TOTAL RECALL and BLADE RUNNER, the thrilling Director's Cut of IMPOSTOR brings you Gary Sinise (FORREST GUMP, APOLLO 13), Madeleine Stowe (WE WERE SOLDIERS, PLAYING BY HEART), Vincent D'Onofrio (THE CELL, MEN IN BLACK), and Mekhi Phifer (O, 8 MILE) in a stellar cast. At a time when the earth has been at war with an alien force for over a decade, the latest work of lauded government scientist Spencer Olham (Sinise) promises to save the planet. But suddenly, Olham himself is accused of being an alien spy and is thrown headlong into a disorienting nightmare as a fugitive from the law. With blasts of adrenaline-fueled intensity, this futuristic thriller soars as Olham races to prove his identity to the world ... and himself ... in time to save all mankind!

Customer Reviews:

what does it mean to be human?.......2007-07-20

It's an older movie, i saw it years ago, thought i'd revisit it for my dystopia/apocalytic movie watching.
It's theme is what does it mean to be human.
It proposes several possible answers:
to have human characteristics that a machine can distinguish from non-human.
love. striving to stay alive. burning curiosity to know who we are.
Something about knowing reasons for God's existence and possessing a soul.

It is a nice touch that the secondary trigger was the realization that he was not human. As if to say that frantic search was from the human copied part of him, but when it was satisfied it self destructs, thus the journey itself is the destination. It's not a real deep movie, but worthwhile to watch, and maybe even watch for a second time, years later. It certainly doesn't even scratch the surface of the complexity of the question: what does it mean to be human. But is a nice introduction to thinking about it.

Good for watching once..........2007-07-14

In the vein of Total Recall and The Running Man, Sinise's character is thought to be murdered and replaced by an exact clone that's programmed to self-destruct when reaching its target, killing thousands. Sinise denies being a clone-bomber and persists in trying to prove he's the real mccoy.

I'm not going to give away more than that because this is a sci-fi mystery; to mention one iota of anything more would make the story less interesting than it already is.

Basically, it's a tedious cat-and-mouse story that has some decent sci-fi gadetry and special effects going for it. The story gets old rather fast, and just as you're about to dose off, some special effects situation happens to get your attention.

It's good for a one-time viewing, but I can't imagine ever wanting to see it again. I think the overall interest in Sinise as an actor is the only thing that made watching this droner bearable. Somehow, I didn't really feel anything for any of the characters. I felt like a distant outsider rather than a participant or upclose observer. Something just didn't click with this film.

Some of my favorite sci-fi films include: Alien, Galaxy Quest, Cube, Cube Zero, Deep Rising, MIB, Evolution, Explorers, H.G. Wells' The Time Machine.

Do You Know Who You Are?.......2007-07-02

Earth is at war with aliens and Gary Sinise is in charge of a new weapons project that could turn the tide in Earth's favor. But just when the project is about to be completed, Gary is arrested. He is accused of being an alien spy; a clone created to sabotage the project. Gary knows he is not an alien but everyone around him is convinced otherwise. How can Gary prove his innocence when no one is interested in it? He manages to escape custody and goes into hiding. He hatches a desperate plan to show that he really is human. All he has to do is break into a heavily-guarded hospital and gain access to his recent physical records.

Gary manages to enlist the aid of others living under the radar of the authorities and puts his plan in motion. It becomes a race against time and Gary is forced into one last desperate act to prove he is himself. All he has to do is find the alien craft and duplicate that never replaced him. Will he get there before the authorities catch up to him? What will he find? Will it clear him or will there still be doubt? You will have to watch to find out.

What is reality? That is a question that kept Philip K. Dick writing great story after great story. There are two versions of the film on this disk. There is the longer theatrical release and the original shorter version. The difference is the hospital plot. Personally I feel the shorter version works better. The longer version has a small flaw as Gary's tag does not get recorded but works fine right afterwards. Still, the full-length version is enjoyable but the short version is tighter and makes a bit more sense. Check it out.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!.......2007-05-19

There are too many folks out there that feel they have to ruin it for everybody by telling you about the surprises in a movie! i guess this makes them smarter than the rest of us . After all we would rather have the experienc ourselves! Just watch the movie and enjoy the unfolding story! Its science fiction so dont look for deep inner meanings....Its a fun movie with exceptional surround sound effects!! I loved it!!!

Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know..........2007-04-14

If someone were to approach me with money and desperately seek out the actor whose body of work impresses me the most, I think they would be surprised to find that the answer is Vincent D'Onofrio. Outside of his "Law and Order" record, the body of work that he represents is outstanding. The characters that he chooses to portray in each of his films continue to be more and more obscure and random, creating a body of work that is nearly untouched by any other actor in Hollywood. For this, I will forever respect this man and his work. I recently had the pleasure of seeing him in the lower budget science fiction Phillip K. Dick cinematic story "Impostor", and must admit, I was impressed. With little money, a decent budget for visuals, and a cast that from the outside seems impressive, this was a little film that fell well under the radar and never quite saw the light of day. This is not to say the film isn't perfect, because it is far from it, but it did provide me with nearly two hours of guessing, wondering, questioning, and inevitably (after the film was done), hoping for more.

For those that are unwilling to give an unknown film a chance, this was the story of Gary Sinise playing the role of Spencer Olham. He is a very happy scientist that loves his wife and job working for the government. It is the future, and a band of violent aliens is trying to destroy the human race, but we have been resilient. We have built walls over our skies and continually send pilots to attempt to bring down their star ships. This story takes place somewhere in the middle of this chaotic war, where fear becomes a bigger enemy than ally. D'Onofrio plays Hathaway, the leader of a government elite unit specializing in locating spies - and he has found a target - Olham. Hathaway believes that Olham is an android of the human he once was, disguised to allow for easy infiltration and destruction. Hathaway's mission is to destroy this clone, and while he wasn't successful in the past, he knows the truth now. Of course, Sinise is Sinise, and for nearly two hours he runs, inspects, and prepares for what should be the truth - but instead we are handed a diabolical twist that will make any childless film buff happy and any anti-Sinise fan jump for joy. We are left with a vision that is as stunning as it is disturbing, yet for me, I was disappointed. I loved the ending, but questioned the value of the preceding hour of stock "running" footage. The DVD itself contains the short film that this film was based on, and I must admit, I liked that a bit more because it cut the center "filler" out, but also eliminated the illusionist-character element that filled the time slot. It was a give or take, but as you watch the ending, you question the need for it.

I can't give the ending away, so I will divert the conversation elsewhere. Loved the introduction to this film. The history lesson coupled with an opening chapter that slowly fed you subliminal clues to the past. The John Hooker song got my feet bouncing and my juxtaposed mind in gear. Even in the future they listen to great music. The relationship between Sinise and Stowe could have been warmer, the introduction was sensual, but not worth 45 minutes of fighting for. I could not believe they were husband and wife for the brief moments that we saw them together. The struggle with the situation that occurs to Nelson Gittes (played by Tony Shalhoub) again seemed very underplayed. I wanted to see a stronger bond, and not just two sentences of dialog that would attempt to bring to the surface a life long relationship. I loved D'Onofrio, but that has already been said. Mekhi Phifer was just filler, the typical stranger that finds that warm patch in his heart to help a total stranger. We have seen that in any other Hollywood puzzler, and for this film it was no different. So, what I am trying to say is that the acting isn't what stands out with this film, it is the story.

We all know that PK Dick can write an amazing story that withstands the vaults of time, and this is no exception. When you begin watching the film, you may assume you have seen the action before, in other films. You will be half right, until you witness the surprising ending. I thought I had it figured out, but what happened continues to keep a smile on my face. What I missed about this story was the war itself, yet eerily, I liked the internal struggle. I was very reminiscent of what is occurring in our world today. The tale of an overprotective government that is too worried about the treat instead of its people. I wish we could have seen more about the "big weapon" that was going to be a turning point to the war, I think that would have explained the choice for Olham to be targeted - but again, with the shabby acting and stronger story, you have a mixed message that gets sent. The focus becomes blurry and this small review found the short story/film to be stronger than the final verdict. A smaller scale sometimes paint a bolder picture.

Overall, I thought this was a decent film for the small amount of screen time it was given. It kept my attention, while using techinques that are overused in Hollywood, but with "Impostor" it didn't feel used. Something felt fresh about this film, and while I know it wasn't the small actors giving less than 100%, or the overly sweaty Sinise, I think it was the voice and power behind D'Onofrio's character. Honestly, I am not drooling here, but he was great in this film. He was fun, angry, poised, and yet seemingly disturbed all at the right moments. "Impostor" is not a film that I think is a staple of the genre in any way, but it is a sinful delight that surprised me through the end. I would recommend this to friends, but only good friends. Alas, it won't be making my collection, but wouldn't mind catching it on network television one late night. Could I be any more vague?

Oh well, I am reopening "Do Android's Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Grade: *** ½ out of *****

Average customer rating:

what does it mean to be human?
Good for watching once...
Do You Know Who You Are?
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!
Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know...

Impostor
Starring: Gary Sinise , Madeleine Stowe , Vincent D'Onofrio , Tony Shalhoub , and Tim Guinee
Director: Gary Fleder
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000068QKR

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

what does it mean to be human?.......2007-07-20

Good for watching once..........2007-07-14

Do You Know Who You Are?.......2007-07-02

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!.......2007-05-19

Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know..........2007-04-14

Average customer rating:

Animal Impostors

Manufacturer: WGBH
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

WGBH Boston | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000IZJQES
Release Date: 2006-09-22

Description

A gnarled twig. A stretch of sand. A shadow. Suddenly they twitch--or lunge--and you realize you've been taken in by a cleverly disguised animal. NOVA provides some of the most astonishing scenes on television in this vivid study of mimicry and camouflage, dramatically showing how snakes, butterflies, fish, turtles, and many other kinds of animals, both predators and their intended victims, use remarkable forms of deception to achieve their goal: to eat, or avoid being eaten.

Average customer rating:

what does it mean to be human?
Good for watching once...
Do You Know Who You Are?
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!
Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know...

Impostor
Starring: Gary Sinise , Madeleine Stowe , Vincent D'Onofrio , Tony Shalhoub , and Tim Guinee
Director: Gary Fleder
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005JKS6

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

what does it mean to be human?.......2007-07-20

Good for watching once..........2007-07-14

Do You Know Who You Are?.......2007-07-02

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!.......2007-05-19

Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know..........2007-04-14

Charlie Rose with Peter Mandelson; Oliver Platt (October 12, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Peter Mandelson; Oliver Platt (October 12, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Peter Mandelson, the British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, discusses his influential role in Tony Blair's New Labor Party and the current economic and political state of the world. Finally, Oliver Platt discusses his latest role in the movie The Impostors with Stanley Tucci in addition to his work in films from the same year including Bulworth and Simon Birch.

Charlie Rose with Daniel Boorstin; Stanley Tucci, Lili Taylor, Steve Buscemi & Campbell Scott; Paul Anka (October 8, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Daniel Boorstin; Stanley Tucci, Lili Taylor, Steve Buscemi & Campbell Scott; Paul Anka (October 8, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Daniel Boorstin, former librarian of Congress, discusses his new book, The Seekers, the third installment in a trilogy on the history of Western thought. Then, Stanley Tucci discusses his new movie, the 1930's-style comedy, The Impostors, which he wrote and directed. In addition, three of its stars, Lili Taylor, Steve Buscemi, and Campbell Scott talk about the movie. Finally, Paul Anka discusses his new album, A Body of Work, in addition to the details of his very long and prolific career.

DVD:

DVD

DVD