Albino Alligator *** (1995, Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise, Faye Dunaway, Viggo Mortensen) – Classic Movie Review 1328

Director Kevin Spacey’s intriguing 1995 movie is a dark-toned, character-driven and dialogue-driven siege thriller, in which three small-time crooks – brothers Dova (Matt Dillon) and Milo (Gary Sinise) plus a partner named Law (William Fichtner) – hide out from the cops in a local New Orleans bar after a holdup goes terribly wrong.

They take the place’s boss Din0 (M Emmet Walsh) who’s behind the bar with a secret shotgun, his employee Janet (Faye Dunaway) and three patrons (Viggo Mortensen, John Spencer and Skeet Ulrich) hostage, while federal agents, led by Browning (Joe Mantegna), surround the bar.

Spacey’s enjoyable directorial debut is surprisingly static and un-cinematic, unspooling like a filmed stage play. But nevertheless it’s an entertaining ride and provides a superb showcase for ten or so generally underused fine talents, who are happily well used here by Spacey.

Fabiano Anthony Forte (born 6 February 1943).

The screenwriter Christian Forte is the son of the 50s pin-up pop-star and film star Fabian. Frankie Faison and Melinda McGraw are also in the cast.

The title isn’t the name of the bar, that is Dino’s Last Chance, but refers to the way alligators will use an albino as a sacrifice so attacking alligators will be distracted and prey on themselves.

By 2014, Spacey’s only other film as director is Beyond the Sea, a 2004 biographical film based on the life of singer/actor Bobby Darin. Spacey is the star of The Usual Suspects and Se7en.

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(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1328

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more film reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/