A fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to ... Read allA fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to consider entering such a competition.A fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to consider entering such a competition.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Cyril Takayama
- The Magician
- (as Cyril Takata)
Caroline Correa
- Monica
- (as Caroline de Souza Correa)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn an interview on National Public Radio's "Fresh Air," Chiwetel Ejiofor said that he thought he'd challenge David Mamet to a friendly sparring match (keeping in mind Mamet had been a practitioner of jiu-jitsu for some years compared to Ejiofor's training for a few months). They squared off, and Mamet stepped on Ejiofor's foot with all his weight. Ejiofor couldn't free his foot and was vulnerable to attack. Mamet said words to the effect that "This match is over."
- GoofsIn the program opened by Emily Mortimer's character in the tournament, a freeze frame reveals that the bios for the fighters are simply a continuous block of text referring to a fighter named "David," and the text is repeated on the left and right sides of the program.
"Blink and you'll miss it: If it's "easily missed" or you have to "view the scene frame-by-frame" then it's not a goof."
- Quotes
[repeated line]
Mike Terry: There's always an escape.
- SoundtracksVoce Nao Me Ve
Written by Rebecca Pidgeon and David Mamet
Portuguese translation by Luciana Souza
Published by Dwight Street Music (BMI), Bella Panorama Music (BMI) and Songs of Windswept Pacific (BMI)
All rights on behalf of Dwight Street Music, Bella Panorama Music administered by Songs of Windswept Pacific
Performed by Luciana Souza
Featured review
One of the best martial arts movies with not so much action in it. ;-)
I believe David Mamet did a great job with this film. He managed to show a true art and soul of a real martial artist. This film is not about training, action and competition. It is more about a life of a man who has to challenge his own ideals and manage the turmoil that he is going through. This film is also refreshing due to its Brazilian touch. :-) Casting is great with only one exception - Rodrigo Santoro: I personally don't think he was the right choice for the role he played. Maybe he wasn't "dangerous" enough, don't know, but just didn't fit in right. Otherwise the script is well written and message delivered.
May not be the greatest movie, but definitely deserves to be watched.
May not be the greatest movie, but definitely deserves to be watched.
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $7,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,345,941
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $63,361
- May 4, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $2,674,090
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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