I saw this movie solely because Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Fairuza Balk are in it, but it turned out to be worthwhile on its own merit. Of course, the performances by Rhys-Meyers and Balk do help. The crime story angle of it isn't terribly interesting. Whooo, lotsa shooting and squealing tires. (Yawn) The story of a teenager idling in life and waiting for it to happen to him rings true, though. Modine makes a sufficiently oily criminal trying to extend the "family business." The sequence where Josh finds out what happened to their parents is unnecessarily overblown, but it was bearable. Balk is, as usual, a hidden gem. Mary Louise Parker I didn't even recognize for a while, and her character seemed to be a plot device, but she did fairly well. I was floored watching Rhys-Meyers, thinking all the while "THIS is Brian Slade from 'Velvet Goldmine'??? Without the makeup and with his natural hair he looks at least five years younger, and it strikes you "heh, he's just a kid." One that can act, I've decided. His American accent is perfect, tinny and hollow and more authentic-sounding than those of some of the real Americans in the movie. I've rarely if ever heard a foreigner evoke so perfect an imitation of American speech. Anyway, this is a worthwhile movie. A little generic sometimes, but overall it's very decent. Ignore the misleading video box, but watch for the humorous parts, like when Rhys-Meyers gets pulled over by his dream girl in blue for running a stop sign.
14 Reviews
more or less lame
madisonwisconsinite14 October 2005
For the most part, the only things that brought me through the whole film are that it was very difficult to get the loan of a copy of the film via interlibrary loan, and it has Rhys Meyers (as he spelled it for this film) in it, who is always nice to look at. Although there is a good premise for an interesting film and story, there was not enough continuity and plot development to keep me interested and engaged. There were a number of subplots and minor characters which and who really didn't add anything of value to the story. I think that if you are a fan of Rhys-Myers or Modine, you may want to see the film in order to get to see them in an unreleased-for-theaters film, but otherwise, it really isn't work your time or trouble. If you're planning to enjoy looking at Rhys-Myers' skin, you can do a lot better with some of his other work. Tangled may not be an excellent film, either, but he drops his pants for you in it, and that is worth something you won't get out of "The Maker."
Starts well, ends badly
mcman13 January 2001
If ever I need to renew my enthusiasm about current filmmaking, a film featuring the talents of Mary Louise Parker is a pretty good place to start. Her part in this film is as a supporting character, and the few scenes in which she appears and fleshes out the kindly but down to earth police officer underline how this film's best parts unfortunately don't add up to a good movie.
The leads are good (Rhys-Meyers is a talent to watch, Balk has always interested me and if Modine just sat and dribbled, I know he could make it look rivetting), the script contains some nice character exchanges, the camera work has some nice touches, and director Tim Hunter puts effort into giving the film some unexpected lift (such as sitting a crim at a desk on open ground beside an airport runway, and getting the art department to set up a backyard breakfast patio of white picket fence and red flowers under the threatening gaze of power lines.)
But although it started well, in the end, this is too many good individual stories fighting with each other instead of making a coherent whole. Any one of the various plot lines could've held their own. At film's end, the script has to literally shoot its way out of the entwined mess its in to reach a conclusion. Maybe this goes down well on cable. I think a viewer, whether sitting in a cinema, or in his own home, is entitled to better.
The leads are good (Rhys-Meyers is a talent to watch, Balk has always interested me and if Modine just sat and dribbled, I know he could make it look rivetting), the script contains some nice character exchanges, the camera work has some nice touches, and director Tim Hunter puts effort into giving the film some unexpected lift (such as sitting a crim at a desk on open ground beside an airport runway, and getting the art department to set up a backyard breakfast patio of white picket fence and red flowers under the threatening gaze of power lines.)
But although it started well, in the end, this is too many good individual stories fighting with each other instead of making a coherent whole. Any one of the various plot lines could've held their own. At film's end, the script has to literally shoot its way out of the entwined mess its in to reach a conclusion. Maybe this goes down well on cable. I think a viewer, whether sitting in a cinema, or in his own home, is entitled to better.
See it you're really bored
shelter7816 June 2000
The film is about two brothers who lost contact with each other during their teenage years. The younger brother Josh, live a messy but rather okay life, he hang out with his friends, doing silly things. At Josh 18th birthday his long lost brother comes home... I leave the rest for you to find out.
I think it's a kind of messy movie, it really doesn't tell a story. Not a good story anyway. You can almost figure out quite fast how things are. The acting in the movie was decent, Josh wears the same expression on his face during 99% of the film.
My advice to you, watch it if you're really bored.
I think it's a kind of messy movie, it really doesn't tell a story. Not a good story anyway. You can almost figure out quite fast how things are. The acting in the movie was decent, Josh wears the same expression on his face during 99% of the film.
My advice to you, watch it if you're really bored.
What in the hell?
heineke19 April 2006
I can always seem to tell how good a movie is going to be by the opening soundtrack music. This movie was no exception. I've heard better music on a Casio keyboard pre-programmmed. I watched this based the actors merit only. It was almost a complete waste of time. Only a movie with this thin of a plot could have as many holes. The funnest part of this movie was the word game played with the main character and his girlfriend. I've seen better. Too many to mention. I've seen worse. The only one that comes to mind is From Justin To Kelly. If you want to waste some time at 3 in the morning whilst madly drunk, be my guest. Otherwise, change the channel.
Pretty good!
AlabamaWorley19714 April 1999
Quirky intelligent little tale of a boy choosing between his foster parents' dream of college and his older brother's exciting life of crime. A lot of fun funky little touches. Pacing is slow, but it's quite interesting.
See this movie!
JimFK10 September 1998
Sleeper alert: A straight-to-video-cable flick that upon closer inspection is a very intriguing character study. Ignore the generic video box cover and the ubiquitous straight-to-vid Madsen: note the talented cast, (modine, parker, balk) and director (hunter, "river's edge) and allow yourself to give this movie a chance. A troubled but gifted teen confronts his 18th birthday with his troubled and lost friends, when a stranger (or is he?...) enters his life. Low-key, well played, with a bit of generic warehouse shoot-out footage probably a necessity to get funding...the filmmaker's make a real effort on a scant budget, and despite flaws, any accomplishment however small shouldn't be overlooked in this time of cookie-cutting filmmaking. See it!
good, but could've been so much better
kteel22 January 1999
There were so many good things here -- interesting characters, good details (like the Minnell's perfect home being right next to an ugly industrial complex), and the potential for a nice dramatic movie about troubled brothers reuniting. The filmmakers had lots of good ideas and no way to weave them together into a coherent movie. Modine was sadly unconvincing as a bad guy, Madsen was an unnecessary scenery-chewing addition, and how Balk's character was written off was a crime. The scenes between Bella and Josh were the best. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was excellent! (He does a good American accent.) He brought a very genuine, believable feel to the character Josh. It's a shame the movie let him down by becoming increasingly implausible, and finally just a low-budget action climax cliche. Good cast & good ideas make this worth seeing.
Another fine picture from Tim Hunter
SMM-311 October 1999
Tim Hunter made one of my favorite films: River's Edge, so I was eager to see anything else of his. He didn't let me down. The Maker is not as grab-you-by-the throat as River's Edge, but it shares that film's overall look and feel. The Maker also is set among the same people, more or less. If you didn't catch River's Edge, imagine crime film by Victor Nunez and you'll have the spirit of this one.
There were good parts, but not my kind of film overall
vchimpanzee26 September 2004
Josh is turning 18 and hanging out with a bad crowd. They do drugs, drive recklessly and even steal from the U. S. Mail. His brother Walter has been gone for a while and he comes back hoping to make amends for leaving the family. Josh has what seems like a brother-sister relationship with Bella, but he really wants Emily, a cop who is several years older.
Josh's parents died when he was very young, and he was adopted by the Minnells. Walter (who has gone back to his original name Schmeiss) knows the full story, which Josh has never heard, and what happened to them may explain why both brothers turned out the way they did.
'The Maker' is the one who makes the rules in a given situation. Josh has that opportunity when he helps Walter and Felice in their 'transfer and storage' business.
I think of the pleasant character from 'What the Deaf Man Heard' when I think of Matthew Modine. However, he can play bad guys too, and he made Walter likable and not really evil. As a con artist, Walter had to be quite a good actor too. I thought most of the lead actors gave good performances. Still, the movie was quite dark at times, and somewhat violent toward the end. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers effectively showed a young man having to make important moral decisions as he reached a point where he could have gone down the wrong road.
It was a worthwhile film, if you like this sort of thing.
Josh's parents died when he was very young, and he was adopted by the Minnells. Walter (who has gone back to his original name Schmeiss) knows the full story, which Josh has never heard, and what happened to them may explain why both brothers turned out the way they did.
'The Maker' is the one who makes the rules in a given situation. Josh has that opportunity when he helps Walter and Felice in their 'transfer and storage' business.
I think of the pleasant character from 'What the Deaf Man Heard' when I think of Matthew Modine. However, he can play bad guys too, and he made Walter likable and not really evil. As a con artist, Walter had to be quite a good actor too. I thought most of the lead actors gave good performances. Still, the movie was quite dark at times, and somewhat violent toward the end. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers effectively showed a young man having to make important moral decisions as he reached a point where he could have gone down the wrong road.
It was a worthwhile film, if you like this sort of thing.
Very Decent Picture
HoTy13 December 1998
This is a really decent flick. Interesting story, well written, and well done. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers will evolve as one of the biggest new stars in the next couple of years. Great actor, great looking, beaucoup screen presence and personality.
you gotta be kiddin' me.
Erin-259 January 1999
for starters, a movie with mathew modine as a career criminal and a bad influence on a young "troubled" teen can be summed up before viewing the film as crap. this could be deemed ignorant, but heh? whatever. the writing was reminiscent of a "troubled" idiot who seems to have a bit of "trouble" with plot, seeing as how there is little to none of it here. the acting is far below satisfactory, the directing was lackluster at best, the ending was laughable, as was the attempt to convince viewers that this was a touching story. honestly, i'm shocked that any one with the time to enter a comment would be so devoid of knowledge or good taste. "tell me how to be the maker." throw me a bone here! that's ridiculous ( to say the least). anyhow, i wanted everyone to know that the above are stupid and this movie really is bad. a "hot" star and a "hip" soundtrack do not amount to a good movie... the fact it made its permier on cable will amount to that. i can't think of a good cable movie.... ever! there... i said my piece.
"I'll wear dark sunglasses, You'll wear a big hat.."
TheAstaroth1 August 2010
I ordered a very cheap copy of this movie from eBay. The DVD doesn't look very attractive - I had to forgot about the cover and start to watch.
Josh (played by my favourite Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is an American teenager growing up in the 90's - he hangs out with friends, has crush on a pretty cop and occasionally succumbs to booze. When he turns 18, his older long-lost brother (Matthew Modine) re- appears. He wants Josh to help him with some business, but it turns out it's a dirty game. The one who lies, who plays the trick, is "The Maker" and gets most of the money.
The terribly young Meyers managed his first leading role very well. Only one week had he to learn speak American English and hide his native Irish accent and he obviously succeeded. Modine plays the sneaky older brother trustfully.
Resumé? This not much known 90's American thriller IS worth watching. And now come on, it's time for The Maker to play his final trick...
Josh (played by my favourite Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is an American teenager growing up in the 90's - he hangs out with friends, has crush on a pretty cop and occasionally succumbs to booze. When he turns 18, his older long-lost brother (Matthew Modine) re- appears. He wants Josh to help him with some business, but it turns out it's a dirty game. The one who lies, who plays the trick, is "The Maker" and gets most of the money.
The terribly young Meyers managed his first leading role very well. Only one week had he to learn speak American English and hide his native Irish accent and he obviously succeeded. Modine plays the sneaky older brother trustfully.
Resumé? This not much known 90's American thriller IS worth watching. And now come on, it's time for The Maker to play his final trick...
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