Themes: Nothing Goes Right, Unlikely Criminals, Drug Trade
Main Cast: Kevin Corrigan, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Rapaport, James Woods, Burt Young
Release Year: 1997
Country: US
Run Time: 86 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Director Matthew Harrison and star Kevin Corrigan co-wrote this offbeat comedy about a man trying to map out a future in the midst of a very confusing present. Redmond (Corrigan) is a self-styled poet and philosopher who frequently ponders his personal journey of self-discovery, which doesn't leave him much time to hold down a steady job. Needing cash, Redmond agrees to do a favor for his Uncle Sam (James Woods), a small-time scam artist; Sam gives him a bag to deliver to someone at a subway station, neglecting to tell him that he's actually making a cocaine drop. The delivery turns into a gun battle, and Redmond soon finds himself on the run, with gangster Jack (Burt Young) eager to catch up with him. Without an apartment and needing a place to hole up, Redmond persuades his buddy Stretch (Michael Rapaport), a man with a tremendous enthusiasm for his work as a beer distributor, to take him in. As he ponders his next move, Redmond falls into a sudden romance with a beautiful airline attendant, Megan (Linda Fiorentino), while his former girlfriend Happy (Lili Taylor) stays on his tail, and Redmond keeps thinking about the Hindenberg. Martin Scorsese served as executive producer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Loopy and likable even when it meanders, this almost archetypal piece of indie philosophizing features a who's who of Sundance faces and a fun little script by actor and first-time writer Kevin Corrigan and his partner, director Matthew Harrison. Corrigan and Michael Rapaport, who appeared together previously in Zebrahead, get actual screen time together here, and their disparate comic styles mesh. Linda Fiorentino, meanwhile, works her Last Seduction schtick to surprisingly vulnerable effect. James Woods and Lili Taylor are mostly wasted in underdeveloped roles, but the script focuses on Corrigan's character, and that's a plus. Although the principals spend most of the movie snorting stolen cocaine, this is the sort of picture that's best enjoyed with a nice, cold beer or something else that's similarly calming. Kicked in the Head doesn't offer too many big epiphanies, but the little ones are what its twentysomething characters are after, anyway. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Lili Taylor - Happy; Olek Krupa - Borko; Elliot Cuker - Sheldon; David Deblinger - Escalator Man; Alan Davidson - Subway Gunman; Bianca Bakiia - Pearl; Sol Frieder - Elderly Man; Matthew Harrison - Luau Man; Gary Perez - Dean; John Vantimiglia - Man at Party; Royale Watkins - Chicky; Lawton Paseka - Pilot; George T. Odom - Door Person; Nicole Baptiste - Cop
Credit
Georgianne Walken - Casting, Sheila Jaffe - Casting, Nina Canter - Costume Designer, Cas Donovan - First Assistant Director, Matthew Harrison - Director, Michael Berenbaum - Editor, Martin Scorsese - Executive Producer, Gianna Sparacino - Hair Styles, Lysbeth Hopper - Location Manager, Ann Ruark - Line Producer, Stephen Endelman - Composer (Music Score), Alex Steyermark - Musical Direction/Supervision, Tracy Warbin - Makeup, Gabor Kover - Camera Operator, Kevin Thompson - Production Designer, Howard Krupa - Cinematographer, John Thomas - Cinematographer, Barbara de Fina - Producer, Ford Wheeler - Set Designer, Jan Mclaughlin - Sound Mixer, Jan Mclaughlin - Sound/Sound Designer, Douglas Crosby - Stunts Coordinator, Ann Ruark - Unit Production Manager, Kevin Corrigan - Screenwriter, Matthew Harrison - Screenwriter, Howard Krupa - Screenwriter
