Dominick and Eugene

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Dominick and Eugene

PG-13

1988

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Two brothers -- Eugene (Ray Liotta), an ambitious medical student, and Nicky (Tom Hulce), a mentally challenged garbage worker -- live together, with Eugene looking after Nicky. But their relationship is strained when Eugene's medical career, and his relationship with nurse Jennifer (Jamie Lee Curtis), force him to consider separating from his brother. When Nicky intervenes in a child-abuse situation on behalf of a neighborhood boy, the resulting trouble with the law may tip Eugene's decision.

Critics Consensus

Thanks to strong performances and a steady directorial hand, Dominick and Eugene successfully navigates potentially tricky themes in thoughtful, compelling fashion without resorting to trite sentimentality.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Dominick and Eugene drips with pathos. Tears are required by the end of the first reel. They got yawns instead from me.

May 4, 2022

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

Dominick and Eugene is every bit as icky as its premise would suggest, and possibly even more so. The film is a heavy, clanging guilt machine that functions by systematically exploiting Nicky's handicap.

Rated: 1/4

Oct 17, 2018

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The film's shameless efforts to reach for the jugular mainly land in bathos.

Oct 17, 2018

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a lackadaisical yet mostly compelling drama...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2024

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Liotta and Hulce are so good, it's impossible to decide who is best. Because of them, [Dominick and Eugene] should be watched and admired. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 21, 2022

Full Review

TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

Most of the time Young manages to deal subtly with the emotions, and in these moments the film is affecting and sincere.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

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Paul G

That this film about two close Pittsburgh brothers, Domenic (Tom Hulce) and Eugene (Ray Liotta), manages to tell a moving story without veering into gratuitous violence or needless erotic stunts should qualify it for an award of some kind; surely it deserves better than Apollo Guide's Scott Weinberg one-sentence dismissal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/23

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Jeff W

Excellent movie. Well acted and directed. Tough real life situations are handled with grace and beauty.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/23

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steve d

Frustrating but well acted.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

With quite an odd direction change, it's not so bad.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

It's a Good movie that was made here in Pittsburgh. A friend of mine actually had a small part in this movie. His name was R Scott Peck. (RIP Scotty)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Better than Rain Man. And without the Scientoli-Cruise!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

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Robert M. Young

Director

Tom Hulce

Dominick 'Nicky' Luciano

Ray Liotta

Eugene 'Gino' Luciano

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jennifer Reston

Todd Graff

Larry Higgins

Mimi Cecchini

Mrs. Gianelli

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Synopsis

Two brothers -- Eugene (Ray Liotta), an ambitious medical student, and Nicky (Tom Hulce), a mentally challenged garbage worker -- live together, with Eugene looking after Nicky. But their relationship is strained when Eugene's medical career, and his relationship with nurse Jennifer (Jamie Lee Curtis), force him to consider separating from his brother. When Nicky intervenes in a child-abuse situation on behalf of a neighborhood boy, the resulting trouble with the law may tip Eugene's decision.

Director: Robert M. Young
Producer: Mike Farrell, Marvin Minoff
Screenwriter: Corey Blechman, Danny Porfirio, Alvin Sargent
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 3, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $843.9K
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround