Dirty double-crossing Eric Roberts (as Jack) assembles four pairs of parolees - bald auto thief Joe Pantoliano (as Pete Tunnel) & recovering alcoholic Clarence Williams III (as Benny Hayes), long-haired gunman Kevin Bernhardt (as Billy Knox) & dim-witted arsonist Brian T. Finney (as George Daniels), shapely check forger Tia Carrere (as Gina Walker) & stand-up fraud Chris Rock (as Deke Anthony), yuppie druggie Kieran Mulroney (as Kerry DeVain) & statutory rapist William Forsythe (as Tim James) - who are ordered to rob gum-chewing godfather Tony Curtis (as Dominic) for his money, not his hair.
Played for low-budget laughs and mindless action, Brian Grant's "The Immortals" isn't as bad as you're thinking. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Curtis are inspired enemies. Mr. Rock gets in a few of his own good lines, though Mr. Finney's "George Daniels" (after Milton) walks away with the funniest performance thanks, in part, to co-star Bernhardt (who also scripted). The acting kudos probably should go to Mr. Williams' "Benny Hayes" (after Linc), who is most engaging. The dramatic "bigots learning to work together" (Pantoliano v. Blacks, Rock v. Asians, Forsythe v. Gays) subtext is appreciated, if not original.
**** The Immortals (10/5/95) Brian Grant, Kevin Bernhardt ~ Eric Roberts, Brian Finney, Tony Curtis, Clarence Williams III
Played for low-budget laughs and mindless action, Brian Grant's "The Immortals" isn't as bad as you're thinking. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Curtis are inspired enemies. Mr. Rock gets in a few of his own good lines, though Mr. Finney's "George Daniels" (after Milton) walks away with the funniest performance thanks, in part, to co-star Bernhardt (who also scripted). The acting kudos probably should go to Mr. Williams' "Benny Hayes" (after Linc), who is most engaging. The dramatic "bigots learning to work together" (Pantoliano v. Blacks, Rock v. Asians, Forsythe v. Gays) subtext is appreciated, if not original.
**** The Immortals (10/5/95) Brian Grant, Kevin Bernhardt ~ Eric Roberts, Brian Finney, Tony Curtis, Clarence Williams III