Movie Description
The Wachowskis' ultra-modern update of classic film noir stars Jennifer Tilly as Violet, the voluptuously alluring and well-pampered mistress of mob man Ceasar (Joe Pantoliano). Violet is the kind of woman who can catch any man's eye, but she's more interested in the tough, sexy, new handywoman next door named Corky (Gina Gershon). The two quickly become lovers, and conspire to steal two million of the Mafia's money. The twists and turns that result when things don't go quite as they planned make for a steamy, thrillingly suspenseful, and impressively executed film filled with sly wit, inspired visuals, and terrific performances.
| Credits | | Producer: | Andrew Lazar, Stuart Boros | | Cast: | Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano, John P. Ryan |
| Details | | Edition: | Unrated Version; Sensormatic Security Tag | | Sound: | Stereo Sound, Surround Sound |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Dolby Digital Stereo - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical
Audio Commentary - 1. Director & Stars, Theatrical release date: October 4, 1996.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1996.
BOUND is the feature film directorial debut for brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski, who also wrote the script. Their previous screenwriting credits include ASSASSINS and UNFORGETTABLE.
The Wachowski brothers shot several versions of the love scene with Violet and Corky in bed, all of them as a continuous shot. This was to prevent censors and studios from tampering with the scene, by either cutting anything they didn’t approve of, or by inserting more gratuitous footage with body doubles. The version used in the DVD of the movie is a few seconds longer.
Susie Bright, noted lesbian author (SUSIE SEXPERT'S LESBIAN SEX WORLD), and book editor (the BEST AMERICAN EROTICA series), was hired as a consultant for the film. She has a brief cameo as Jesse, the woman Corky tries to pick up in the bar scene.
Jennifer Tilly initially wanted the role of Corky, until the Wachowski’s convinced her to play Violet instead.
BOUND tied with WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE for the Jury Prize at the 1996 Deauville Festival of American Cinema in Deauville, France.
There was some controversy surrounding the film’s rating, due to its lesbian love story content. The ratings board requested a few seconds shaved off the seduction scene between Corky and Violet, objecting to their particular use of hands and fingers. This led Dino De Laurentiis, the Italian producer whose company helped produce the film, to respond with a few choice words.
The tattoo Corky wears on her right arm is a labrys, a double edged hatchet. The labrys has been used as a symbol of power and pride by feminists and lesbians.
"That's a great tattoo. Beautiful labrys. Are you surprised I know what it is?"--Violet (Jennifer Tilly) to Corky (Gina Gershon)
"We make our own choices, we pay our own prices."--Violet to Corky
"Do you think you're the only one that's good at something?"--Violet to Corky
"I'm not apologizing for what I did. I'm apologizing for what I didn't do."--Violet to Corky
Editorial Reviews
"...Clever, eye-catching, highly stylized, faux-chic..." -- Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly - pp.72-3 - Lisa Schwarzbaum
"...Bill Pope's beautifully lit noir-style camera work and Don Davis' witty score complete this zesty, gratifying little picture..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (10/04/1996)
"...It's pure cinema....It's amazing to discover all this virtuosity and confidence in two first-time filmmakers..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (10/04/1996)
"...[What it did] was announce to the world a brand new cinematic talent in the Wachowski Brothers..."
Total Film - James White (06/01/2000)
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