After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard re-examines his attitudes while falling in love with the African-American wife of the last prisoner he executed.After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard re-examines his attitudes while falling in love with the African-American wife of the last prisoner he executed.After a family tragedy, a racist prison guard re-examines his attitudes while falling in love with the African-American wife of the last prisoner he executed.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 15 wins & 23 nominations total
Yasiin Bey
- Ryrus Cooper
- (as Mos Def)
Sean 'Diddy' Combs
- Lawrence Musgrove
- (as Sean Combs)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring an interview, Halle Berry was asked if she felt her nudity and the sex scene were really necessary for the film. She replied "....without this scene, I think it would be a very different movie. I think it's a pivotal moment and from that moment on, you understand why these two people get together." She added that if being nude serves the part, she would be happy to disrobe again. "If another role affects me like this, and I feel it's something the character would do - then I'll use my body in way to best serve the character." The actress seems to favor nudity in real-life too. "If the world wouldn't persecute me, I'd take nude pictures every day of the week."
- GoofsThroughout the movie there are conflicting references to its being set in Louisiana, Mississippi, or Georgia.
- Quotes
Sonny Grotowski: You hate me. You hate me, don't you? Answer me! You hate me don't you!
Hank Grotowski: Yes, I hate you. Always have.
Sonny Grotowski: Well I've always loved you.
- Crazy creditsThanks to Sam, Austin, Gabrielle. Scott Lambert is thanked twice.
- Alternate versionsThe initial cut of the picture included more explicit footage during the sex scene between Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton, which was trimmed down after the MPAA threatened to give the film a NC-17 rating. The uncut version premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 8, 2001. The R-rated US theatrical release is the cut version; the version released theatrically in Canada and most other countries is the uncut version.
- SoundtracksBroken Up and Blue
(1998)
Performed by Red Meat
Written by Jill Olson
Published by Olson Girl Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by Bug Music, Inc.
Courtesy of Ranchero Records
Featured review
Overlooked performers
Though Halle Berry was the only performer from this film recognized by the Academy, I do not feel that she was the only actor deserving praise. Sean Combs proved that he belongs in the acting world in just his first on-screen role. His portrayal of Lawrence, a man on Death Row, is understated and powerful. Heath Ledger's portrayal of Sonny is also brilliant. The only fault lies in the writing--neither Lawrence nor Sonny are fully developed. A great ensemble cast makes this film a winner, not Halle Berry alone.
helpful•72
- alykaye
- Jun 23, 2002
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $31,273,922
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $110,552
- Dec 30, 2001
- Gross worldwide
- $45,011,434
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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