The Stickup Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
It's a quiet little town where nothing happens - until the day the bank is hit for half a million dollars of Indian casino money by a thief wearing a clowns mask. From here the story follows a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse between bank robber and former cop Parker (James Spader) and small-town police officer Ray DeCarlo (David Keith) determined to catch him. Parker doesn't help himself by holing up with a nurse who happens to be DeCarlo's former wife. Throw in a rookie FBI agent, Indians who want their money back, some former friends of Parker who are not so friendly anymore and his fate seems sealed.
| James Spader | John Parker |
| David Keith | Ray DeCarlo |
| John Livingston | FBI Agent Rick Kendall |
| Robert Miano | Lt. Vincent Marino |
| Alf Humphreys | Mike O'Grady |
| Tim Henry | Arlen Morris |
| Mark Holden | Roy Freeman |
| Scott Heindl | Steve Spizak |
| Alex Zahara | Tommy Meeker |
| Alvin Sanders | Harris |
| Leonard George | Chief Samson Redcloud |
| Curtis Ahenakew | Clifford |
| Richard Ian Cox | Jack the Bartender |
| Danny Wattley | Drug Dealer #1 |
| Jay Kramer | Drug Dealer #2 |
6.40 out of 10 (610 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Saves a lot of time...
posted on 08 Jan 2009Someone described this film as having flown in "below the radar". That's a very apt description. Perhaps "lesser" films with lesser budgets leave the writers and directors (in this case the same person) more artistic freedom to actually realize their ideas -- the script of The Stickup is very intelligent and so totally enjoyable! In it we're presented with an opening car chase where the driver, being pursued by honest looking policemen, looks guilty as hell.Not long afterwards the classic bar scene -- but the other way around and, much to our delight, the Bogart-Bacall-like bantering starts, as has been noted already by many others. (And we're given large servings of it all through the rest of the film!) Who said there's NO chemistry between them? (The actors in question have been together ever since shooting this film and are now engaged.) Simply watch the hands of James Spader.The third component making this film so special and enjoyable is of course the young innocent FBI-agent, with all his quirks but immediately accepted by the county's Indians as a man to trust. When his more experienced colleagues defer to him we recognize our own ambition to be respected at work.So if you like surprises and haven't seen this movie you should. Enjoy the ride! At the end of it you can conclude that there are three important lessons to be made: being a crook and a police at the same time, being sneaky and falling in love at first sight all saves a lot of time.
Who Are Promark? And What Do they Want!
posted on 19 Dec 2008Are far back as i can remember, whenever i caught sight of the Promark Logo, i found myself intrigued, one for the fact that the movies that they made always attracted have decent names and two, the directors behind the movies had always done something that stuck in the film fan's memory.A case in point, "The StickUp" Directed by Rowdy Herrington, had begun his filmmaking career under the watchful eye of Cassian Elwes and Elliot Kastner, when Palasade Pictures was up and running as too did John McTiernan when he made his debut feature "Nomads" but back to where i was, but Herrington's feature "Jacks Back" Starring James Spader, was what i thought would have been a long a fruitful career pitch into other subjects within that dark rooted thriller genre, much like McTiernan....HoweverTime Is a funny thing, Herrington went on to make Bruce Willis action thriller and McTiernan, well we all know where he ended up, you know if i didn't know any better, this review would almost feel like one of those six degrees scenarios, McTiernan/Herrington/Willis/Spader, as very wild mix.However the thing to which i was aspiring to say with regards to the company Promark, as diverse as they are, mixing the concepts with every movie, they just don't seem to very good, it's not that anything they make is bad, is just a simple case of what are we doing here, haven't we seen this all before?Such is the problem this movie, Spader a cop on the edge, a marriage breakup and a dead partner, decides to skip the bright lights and seedy streets of the big smoke for the quiet tranquil of small town americana, whilst there he meets a nurse in a bar, sleeps with her, does her dishes and then disappears of to the local bank dressed a Bozo the clown and proceeds to rob it, or does he?I Guess i'm treading the same ground when i say, haven't we seen this all before, the dvd i watched this on had no extras, so i could hear no excuses from said director or star on why they would commit to such a same old movie, in saying that, Herrington was responsible for writing this movie, and Promark where responsible for releasing it.As i said the dvd, had no extras, but it did have about have a dozen trailers of forthcoming Promark Product, Oh Dear Me! I'm sure the make money back through selling these movies on video, because there is no way on earth, they would ever make a bean on the big screen, even if this movie did have David Keith masquerading as a good guy deputy sheriff who isn't quite.In the end of the day, it was a movie, take it or leave it, my appetite will not be diminished by "The StickUp" poor attempt to entertain because i'm that the next movie will do just the same, especially if it hails from under the wing of Promark.I think i'll save my money, and maybe make my own movie, that sounds like a Neat Idea, who should i call, Let me think.
Great little film
posted on 11 Dec 2008James Spader is a loner in a small town who robs a bank and through various flashbacks we find that he romanced the ex-wife of the Deputy sheriff. Ok.
He is also LAPD on the lam. OK. Then turn everything on it's head, until you're left spinning in one of the best thrillers since LA Confidential.
The plot moves backwards and forwards, up and down. The writer and director of this movie was Rowdy Herrington, after watching this I'm going to track down his back catalogue of movies (with the exception of that Bruce Willis film). This is kind of the same ilk as an old TV show called Fallen Angels, with cool jazzy music, tough characters, and the the proverbial spinning plot. I was gripped throughout the whole movie. 5/5
a pleasure to look at Leslie !
posted on 03 Dec 2008The beginning of the movie is as said in the comment on the net: what do you expect with such a title.A lot of shooting and car racing. For me the movie began with Leslie sitting at the bar and ordering a drink for a total stranger.From there on I followed all her moves and one-liners intensely. When she was nursing the shotwound I wished it was mine. .The casting all-over is very well done. The greenhorne FBI agent is heartwarming (he would say: "cool").The Indian chief and his son have a very short but amusing role.The plot of the movie is not that bad at all. The last half hour the plot of the story is upside down, totally different from what you would expect.However, the role of his LAPD collegues in the end is quite unbelievable. A happy end is well deserved for our couple, "love at first sight saves a lot of time". I'm glad I took the time to see it.
Herrington's done it again!
posted on 24 Sep 2008A burned out cop (Spader) from the big city travels to small town America after the death of his partner where he meets a lovely nurse. From there he sleeps with her, does her dishes, and then dresses up as Bozo and robs a bank. Simple, eh? Well, this is a Rowdy Herrington film and Rowdy Herrington films aren't to be taken at face value. The plot runs deeper than you think baby...On the surface The Stickup looks like your typical crime drama, but never judge a book by it's cover. The Stickup is an all around well written, acted, and directed thriller that has many levels. Much like Herrington's brilliant Jack's Back, The Stickup is layered and then some. Without getting in too much detail and spoiling some of the surprises, The Stickup is a smart, witty, and damn enjoyable little movie. Herrington has always had an ear for great dialogue and an eye for quick well choreographed action sequences. Herrington shows off both attributes here, but it's his great story that makes this baby so fun. Loaded with great witty dialogue and characters, this is Herrington in good form. The movie is also well directed by Rowdy with lots of cool flashbacks that add to the mystery of the movie. Herrington also keeps the movie moving at a brisk pace that never lagged. Good work Rowdy! Herrington and Jack's Back star James Spader reunite and damned if it didn't feel good. Spader is, as always, great in the lead. I love the guy, he's made a name for himself playing intense layered characters that either good or bad, you can't help but like. If Spader's on screen you can't take your eyes off him. Did that sound gay?Unfortunately Herrington will always be known as the guy behind Road House and the very cliché Striking Distance. His best work lies in the films that have flew under the radar. The Stickup and Jack's Back being two shining examples of just that. Now I could go on raving about The Stickup and Jack's Back all day, but I won't. Just rent them! Herrington has an ability to take a tired concept and add life to it (except in the case of Striking Distance). You can say you've "seen it before," but not quite like this.
An interesting and nicely unraveled thriller that suffices.
posted on 06 Sep 2008I think The Stickup is worth your time, overall, if not by an awful lot. I've seen a lot worse than The Stickup, films that have been so much worse and yet have garnered ten times the attention this little joint USA/Canada 2001 production attracted. The film very lightly tackles ideas to do with identity and whether we, as well as the other characters, believe certain individuals are capable of certain things. The film also adopts a neo-noir tone as the lone lead becomes increasingly involved with low-key crimes in a low-key location as he engages in relationships built on shaky trust with mysterious women and the boundaries around him to do with legal and illegal are blurred.The film isn't without its annoyances, but it's unfolded in such a manner that is both nice to look at and easy to just let oneself loose inside of that you begin to grin as the film unfolds more so than you do groan. The film opens with a car chase, a car chase that unashamedly throws in all the clichés and incidences you'd associate with a typical car chase. You've got your near miss with another oncoming car, you've got your incident in which one of the vehicles spins wildly out of control but gloriously has a patch of dirt or gravel to spin onto rather than a brick wall or fifty foot drop thus allowing the regaining of control and you've even got your little stunt at the very end which involves a car overturning. I was pleased it didn't blow up like usual - maybe they couldn't afford it.The man being pursued is John Parker (Spader) and his pursuers are law enforcement. This immediately draws us to conclusions it's only right for them to get their man because surely anyone running from the law must have done something wrong, right? Parker gets away and next we see him in a church, blood dripping from his hands and a big bag of money he's got with him as we assume he repents any sin he may have just committed. What begins in the audience's mind as a tale of regret and putting things right quickly turns into something a little more. The crime infused male fantasy is stepped up a notch when Parker comes into contact with Natalie Wright, played by Leslie Stefanson, who's a nurse in the local hospital.These two come together, initially, in a bar because of a certain song Parker puts on and she comes over. What that song was slips my mind and to a degree, that is a great shame, because here is a chance to reinvent a certain musical track much in the vein of what Tarantino does but also to use it as a reoccurring melody throughout these two person's journey. Once they get talking, Natalie speaks of her divorce and how unhappy she is, as you do to complete strangers from out of town you meet in dodgy bars, and they spend the night at her place somewhat eerily under the resentful eye of her ex-husband Ray DeCarlo (Keith). This guy doubles up as the local sheriff and is same individual that chased Parker in the first scene.What struck me as a little sloppy and silly was the fact she's suddenly helping Parker when he needs it, primarily through the fact he washed her dishes and cleaned up her apartment the following morning. But when she does find out there is a lot of stolen money in Parker's possession and hears about a bank robbery, she puts two and two together which is when the relationship is strained. It's at this point I assumed Natalie would go down the femme fatale route and attempt to take the money for herself but no, the film remains grounded in the small town in which they inhabit and it doesn't branch out to anything other than that. Rather than think that was a bit silly, I thought it was fine and if that's where you want to go then alright and I bought most of it even if, as a result of this non-double cross on Wright's behalf, the film plays out as more of a buddy routine between love allies than it does anything else.There is a degree of spectacle in the film, something that is quite impressive given the understated and direct of video feel this film has. It is bargain bin at you local store or catch it late night on some cable channel, all the time shaking your head in disbelief the film was made in 2001 and wondering where all the time has gone, material if we're all honest but it's perfectly fine. The film is polished and the sense of the spectacle is hammered home as it all unravels in an entertaining way as twists, turns and double crosses become apparent. The film ends in a daft shootout in the woods, meaning we've come all this way just for a guns blazing routine and the background jazz music for some scenes gets a bit annoying but on the whole, I feel it would take someone really cynical to dismiss this piece of work.
Not as bad as could be
posted on 04 Sep 2008Okay, so this is a rather low-budget movie. Probably half of the budget went to mister Spader's fee so there was not much left to go around, but:-I have seen worse movies. -The camera-work is good. -The acting is good. -The plot is not difficult but never tries to be.All in all, I had fun watching it and if you ever get in a place where it rains all day and you are bored out of your skull, this one would at least tie you up for an hour or so.
The Stickup was very disappointing:(
posted on 13 Nov 2007Some SpoilersThis film was confusing because you didn't know what you saw was real or not and if it was when did it happen? James Spader and David Keith were good but with very low sound quality and confusing moments it was really a waste. I could barley understand what they were saying with the volume very high up. One thing that was confusing was if Spader wasn't the robber then why was he seen wearing the jump suit and clown mask in and out of the car? Either it was big plot hole or the movie lied? I really don't know but what I do know is that with two good actors the movie was one big disappointment:( Only see this film if you like Spader, Keith, and/or confusing movies with some action.
Just enough plot twists and scene shifts to make an interesting, but not too complicated low budget thriller.
posted on 27 May 2007Not bad for a low budget thriller. A bank is robbed by a person in a clown mask and a jumpsuit. The story revolves around the local deputy sheriff and a rookie FBI agent chasing the suspect, a LA cop, who has troubles back in LA. Some scenes switch back and forth in time and from different character's perspective to mislead you. The witty dialogue between the LA cop and the deputy's ex-wife reminds me of James Bond movie dialogue.
Complicated but good
posted on 15 Apr 2007At the beginning of the movie, John Parker is on the run from the law in a blue Chevrolet Impala outside Vedalia, California.Later, FBI Agent Rick Kendall is mistaken for a Jehovah's Witness as he tries to collect background information on a prospective agent. That is when he is asked to investigate a robbery at The Bank of Vedalia, since he is in the area. This much is known: the power went out, disabling security cameras and the alarm, and a man in a clown mask entered the bank with a gun. It was a perfect time to rob the bank, since an armored car had just arrived with the deposit from the nearby Native American casino. The robber left in a blue Chevrolet Impala. A Camaro found in the area belongs to John.Later in a bar, John picks up Natalie, a nurse at the local hospital. Natalie's controlling ex-husband is one of the police officers in Vedalia, and it is surprising that John is not more apprehensive about being watched by a cop. Natalie doesn't appreciate the attention; this is why they're no longer married.We later learn why John wasn't concerned--for those of you who don't understand how the film works, the next night after John leaves Natalie's place, someone comments that John robbed the bank that morning. So the story is not being told in order. Furthermore, there are flashbacks that explain what is going on in John's life.We've already seen John in a church with the money, so he must be guilty, right? Actually, the complications that led to John being chased turn out to be quite interesting. And Natalie has some decisions to make: if John is guilty and she treats him without turning him in, she gets in trouble. But he won't let anyone else help him. We later learn all the details as the story is told from different points of view.James Spader and John Livingston both give good performances. Spader is basically Alan Shore without the sarcastic, nasty wit or the courtroom skill, but what's left is still enjoyable. This is a man who has turned cynical and lost confidence in his own ability to do the right thing. By contrast, Agent Kendall is discovering he has a lot of confidence in himself, most of it being along the lines of "Gee whiz! Look what I can do!" He actually provides comic relief.There is quite a lot of blood in this movie, but relatively few violent events. Most of the blood is from the one wound John received in the car chase scene--that is, the long version later.It was good after all. I wasn't sure what to expect at first.
Oh, what a disappointment
posted on 01 Apr 2007Picked up a couple of videos to watch on this rainy Saturday afternoon. Oh what a waste of time this movie was. Can I get my money back? I love James Spader. What a great actor. I'm sure he wouldn't have taken this role if it wasn't a good script -- originally. Too bad that in the process of making this film so many bad decisions were made.What I found to be the most disappointing was the casting of the lead (and only) female character. There just wasn't any chemistry between Leslie Stefanson and Spader. I can think of SO MANY other actresses who could have been far more believable, interesting and competent. Stefanson couldn't deliver a convincing performance. If Natalie really was attracted to Parker, why didn't she act like it? His reasons for getting involved with her were obvious -- he needed her help (and wasn't going to turn down her quick invitation to jump in the sack) -- but what were her reasons for getting (and staying) involved with him? Even when they first met, there was no flirting, no dalliance. This mysterious man just shows up one day and brings excitement and intrigue into her otherwise duller-than-dull life, yet we see no emotion from her. Natalie took a lot of serious risks helping Parker, yet Stefanson's performance left me wondering why. Being his nurse as well as his lover, one would expect some tenderness, some warmth from her. I found her to be cool, aloof and sarcastic. There should have been some fervor from her to justify her actions.The main storyline of this movie involving the crime and the mystery of solving it was a good one. But the simultaneous "romantic" relationship between Natalie and Parker never heated up as they became more involved with each other, and it should have. That was a disturbing distraction to me.
finally, a very meticulous thriller-with-a-twist
posted on 20 Dec 2006An apparently disturbed/depressed loner is on the run after a daring bank heist. He meets a woman who sympathizes with his vulnerability and they begin a relationship which becomes jeopardized when she comes to suspect that he is the murderous stickup man. To say more could jeopardize your enjoyment of this movie.I had sadly resigned myself, before viewing this flick, to the fact that the the chances of finding a good mystery or thriller any more are close to nil. Writing tends to be dreadful, story lines implausible and hackneyed, and the obligatory twists and "surprises" either predictable or preposterous. But here we have a nicely written and very cleverly constructed thriller-mystery whose twist is unexpected and ingeniously constructed. The technique of ongoing narrative flashbacks is most often clumsy and confusing. But in this movie the same technique is very meticulously realized and is essential to the bend in the story line that the film depends on for its punch as an exceptionally engaging thriller.And don't be put off by the somewhat deliberate pace of the first third of the film. It's crucial to what this movie is about. Given the dismal standards that prevail in this film genre, I say this one merits a 10 out of 10.
I like the good with the bad
posted on 22 Nov 2006I am a James Spader fan and I did n-joy this movie. The following may be plot spoilers but worth mentioning in a review. All the other comments are correct in being low budget, sound quality and soundtrack decision. However, I thought it was somewhat of a smart movie also. When guilty cop, with a gun, wants to check where the money is he has the innocent cop check and show him. He could have checked himself and it could have been a typical distraction/fight scene. Instead, guilty cop tells other to check while holding him at gunpoint. Another was the smart discovery by the young FBI agent with the ATM camera. Good thinking, and not something I thought to check. Sure, the point about the woman being a nurse AND ex-wife of the town sheriff was a perfect movie plot, however, I thought all was handled on a smart level. Plus the subplot with other FBI agents added life to this movie. Rating: 7 out of 10.
witty script, above average direction, solid acting
posted on 21 Jun 2006James Spader plays a cop who is accused of having robbed a bank and all the evidence points at him - the "hitchcockian" character is helped to prove his innocence by a young FBI agent, who digs up that "The Stickup" didn't exactly happen the way it appeared to. A witty script which plays on the viewers perception and the point of view of narration is executed with above average direction and solid acting. "The Stickup" is a good quality suspense B-picture with originality and humour. Only the end with lots of arbitrary genre specific heavy shooting has the mediocre quality usually found in fare of this kind. The rest stands out and is "A" quality stuff.
James Spader never disappoints
posted on 29 Mar 2006A independent film full of strong, solid acting, strong plot full of surprises, believable realistic characters. Don't let the simple title fool you, this a great movie. For my fellow Spader lovers, get this NOW. Spader is amazing as usual, he creates a sympathetic character of past regrets, loneliness, he's a thinking man's hero. Spader brings his presence and intensity to the film, giving it class, setting a high standard. The supporting cast is solid, with nods to Leslie Stephanson. She and Spader have a great sexy chemistry to them. I won't spoil anything or dig deep into the story, I think you should see it for yourself. The atmosphere and mood is strangely calm and relaxed, building itself up slowly for an exciting climax. The music is very noticeable, jazzy saxophones bring a feeling of 50s B & W hard boiled detective films. There a few goofy and lame lines of dialogue for a R rated film. Shame there isn't any subtitles, well, English ones. The action scenes are intense and believable, not TOO over the top, and are very fun and cool to watch. The heist scene is great and real. The story is surprisingly strong for a low budget film, it's very well written and intricate. The movie fools the viewer pretty good, making you believe everything you see. The young FBI agent re-examines everything and slowly unravels everything for us little by little. He is our door to the facts and actuality. You'll find yourself shocked and applauding it. You owe it to yourself to sit down and watch a actual movie, with acting and a story. This movie is worth watching more than once, each time you watch it, you learn something new or discover something else. It's very cheap to buy and is more satisfying than paying a bunch to see the crap they call movies now. If you're a fan of the great James Spader, don't hesitate to buy this. Everyone else check this out, you won't be disappointed. Don't let the bland title misjudge you into missing this worthwhile film.
A Surprisingly Good Police Story
posted on 19 May 2005Parker (James Spader) meets Natalie (Leslie Stefanson) in a bar and has one night stand with her. On the next day, the local bank is robbed and Parker is chased and wounded by the police. The FBI rookie agent Rick Kendall (John Livingstone) is assigned for the case. This low budget movie was a great surprise for me. With a screenplay with lots of plot points, and two excellent lead actors (James Spader and John Livingstone), is a very worthwhile entertainment, recommended for fans of police story. The plot is great and the location were this film takes place is very beautiful, with wonderful landscapes. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): `Perseguição Implacável' (`Implacable Chase')
Glad I Didn't Miss This One
posted on 27 Jan 2005Once in a while you can win at the game of "remote roulette." I lucked out and caught this flick the other night while rather aimlessly looking for something decent to watch. It was being shown on a popular, premium cable network. It is a cops & robbers caper flick with more than a little twisting as it goes through its well designed plot steps with hardly any let downs along the way. I would categorize it as a black comedy-drama with a touch of noir. I thought that the dialog between the main characters, James Spader (Parker) and Leslie Stefanson (Natalie Wright)was reminiscent of Bogart & Bacall. James Spader, in my opinion, is one of the better actors in film today. It is a shame that real talent like his is not more fully recognized by the film industry, obsessed with redundant, lowest common denominator material suitable for sixth graders or special effects geeks whose every other word is "awesome." Leslie Stefanson's character is aptly named as she plays with skill and sardonic humor, a disillusioned small town girl looking for "Mr. Right." The supporting cast, particularly John Livingstone as FBI special agent Rick Kendall was above average. I just wish that there could have been a little more of the well played "Native Americans" who were involved in the story. Writer-Director Rowdy Herrington deserves praise for coming up with this low budget "sleeper" lost among the mainstream Hollywood trash currently inundating the theater and television screens of our entertainment challenged land. The authentic rural and scenic small town location creates an enchanting atmosphere that further adds to the quality of the film and even the jazz soundtrack I noticed under the closing credits was a winning pick. You will not be disappointed by this good one.
Pretty decent movie don't get confused by the flashbacks though
posted on 19 Oct 2004I can imagine people may have trouble following the storyline because much of it is told in flashbacks that I sometimes only just knew were flashbacks a few minutes into the subplot. This convoluted way of telling (and the way in which you have to piece it together) means you never really know what's going to happen next. It may be an ordinary cops and robber story at some point, or turn out to be a modern Bonnie and Clyde at another point. The way people keep chasing one another stays within realistic limits and never strays into the completely unrealistic escapes and shootouts we know from many blockbusters. In my opinion a well worked out plot but you have to pay attention to it to follow it.
Sexy, full of suspense, an unforgettable twist - a multi-layered treat
posted on 25 Sep 2004It's James-Spader sexy. This man oozes. You just can't move your eyes from him whenever he's on the screen. If you're a James Spader fan, then expect a lot of pauses and several viewings because you won't be able to help yourself from several servings of his gorgeousness. (The same applies if you're a Leslie Stefanson fan.) There's a touch of the seductive mood in "White Palace" in the spicy bar scene when John Parker (Spader) is picked up by the forward Natalie Wright (Leslie Stefanson) and their steamy night together. There are also echoes of "Driftwood" detailing the wounded John in severe pain and how he is undressed and nursed by the saucy Natalie in a delicious way. There are also lots of elements of the complex, deep, unpredictable, crooked, but brilliant, and romantic Alan Shore at play. But it's still an original movie in the way all its odd components comically "jarred" together with such an unforgettable twist that the closest I can think of is the jaw-dropping surprise at the end of "The Sixth Sense".Get it and savor it! It's a real treat. I looooove it!
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Simple and easy going police story about corruption
posted on 21 Jul 2009A standard movie about a group of cops steeling from the criminals. One of them has second thoughts about it and got killed during the robbery of drugs dealers. His partner gets pi**ed of by internal affairs when they try to incriminate the dead partner. In his leave of absence he got involved in a bank robbery and end up as the main suspect. A few funny twist in the plot makes it fun to watch after all.