The Set-Up (1995 film)

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The Set-Up
Directed by Strathford Hamilton
Written byMichael Thoma
Based on My Laugh Comes Last
1977 novel
by James Hadley Chase
Produced by Julia Verdin
Starring Billy Zane
Mia Sara
James Russo
James Coburn
Louis Mandylor
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister
Mark Rolston
Margaret Avery
Lisa Collins
Vince Deadrick Jr.
Shannon Wilcox
Paula O'Hara
Ed Wasser
Brent Morris
Tom Muzila
Stephen Lofaro
Roy Jenson
Kevin McLaughlin
Scott L. Schwartz
Cinematography David Lewis
Edited by Marcy Hamilton
Music by Conrad Pope
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • 1995 (1995)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Set-Up is a 1995 American crime thriller film directed by Strathford Hamilton and starring Billy Zane. It was based on the 1977 novel My Laugh Comes Last by James Hadley Chase. [1]

Contents

Plot

Charlie Thorpe, a security systems expert, is caught during a robbery. When he get released from prison, a bank owner hires him to design a fool-proof system during the refurbishing of his bank. After he has completed the system, he begins getting blackmailed, to break his system. [2]

Cast

Release

It debuted on the American premium television network Showtime on July 23, 1995. [3] [4]

Reception

Time Out reviewed the film, writing that it was "a movie that's more plot than characterisation, and is already doomed from the moment they cast the synthetic male lead." [5] Variety and TV Guide also reviewed The Set-Up, the latter of which felt that "Persuasively acted by veteran smoothie James Coburn and the two romantic leads, THE SET-UP is knocked down a few pegs by the robbers--Mandylor, who seethes with "method" menace; former wrestler Tiny Lister, a Tor Johnson for the '90s, and the hammy Russo, who seems on a pilgrimage to showcase the worst aspects of Method-acted hooliganism in all his performances. " [6] [7] Of Coburn, a reviewer for The Age noted that "the veteran film heavy deserves better." [8]

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References

  1. "REVIEW The Set Up". The Hollywood Reporter. July 21, 1995.
  2. Scott, Tony (24 July 1995). Yahoo!
  3. Movies Made for Television, 1964-2004: 1990-1999, p. 460 (2005)
  4. Zad, Martie (23 July 1995). Naked News' Looks At Media's Styles, The Washington Post
  5. T. J. "The Set Up". Time Out Worldwide. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  6. Scott, Tony (1995-07-24). "The Set Up". Variety. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  7. "The Set Up". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  8. "The Set Up (review)". The Age. June 30, 1996.