Fingers

R

Released Mar 2, 1978

1 hr. 31 min.

Drama

List

85%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jimmy (Harvey Keitel) wants nothing more than to play Carnegie Hall. He has talent, and the ambition is definitely there. But Jimmy is the son of a mob boss (Michael V. Gazzo) and when he's not practicing piano, he's roughing up guys unable to pay their debts to his father. To ease the pressure he feels between his family obligations and his artistic ambitions, Jimmy indulges in sex and drugs. But the stress is getting too much, and Jimmy may ruin everything as his life spins out of control.

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Shioka O

I always appreciate Keitel's commitment, he is good one-of-a -kind actor. but this film is not so much. Quite sketchy. There are other great character study films out there.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/18/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting, tense film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

delysid d

i dont get what im supposed to like about this stupid mr. fingers. who gives a shit what he does

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/21/18

Full Review

Audience Member

I understand that this is the bastard step child of Mean Streets and other gritty, urban, realistic 70's cinema...I understand Harvey Keitel is a very good actor. It doesn't mean I have to like this film or any of the characters. In fact, it's extremely unlikeable, even before the prostate exam scene. (Yes, really. Perhaps another nod to the title?) The sound mixing is awful. The dichotomy of a man who loves classical piano and 60's pop music really doesn't work. If he had found his way to CBGBs instead of walking around listening to Summertime and Angel of the Morning---it still would have been awful but at least it would have been so aurally annoying. I haven't been so grateful a movie was over since Titanic.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What was the point of this awful, nonsensical movie? None that I could see. Ugly and aimless.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating at times, but at other times it feels like it's slacking in certain areas which prevents it from reaching the Taxi Driver meets Bad Lieutenant vibe that the movie seems to be going for. Harvey was great as always, and made it seem like he was actually playing the piano as good as his character was. I loved the character in general and even though I feel like he was little let down by the direction in some parts, I think the character of Johnny Fingers in general is what makes the movie so interesting to watch. Worth a watch. Even if it might not be exactly what your expecting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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James Toback

Director

Harvey Keitel

Jimmy Fingers

Tisa Farrow

Carol

Jim Brown

Dreems

Michael V. Gazzo

Ben

Marian Seldes

Ruth

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

It's difficult to perceive where a large public might be located for an introspective movie this schematic and unappealing.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A penetrating portrait of tortured, impotent masculinity and the foolishness of attempting to be something you're not.

Rated: A-

May 3, 2005

Full Review

Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

...it remains provocative...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 23, 2021

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It blends together high and low culture, as Toback bet on this combo to win despite its long odds.

Rated: B+

Mar 7, 2015

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Portrait of the artist as a young thug

Feb 6, 2010

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Wow. Cool.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 20, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Jimmy (Harvey Keitel) wants nothing more than to play Carnegie Hall. He has talent, and the ambition is definitely there. But Jimmy is the son of a mob boss (Michael V. Gazzo) and when he's not practicing piano, he's roughing up guys unable to pay their debts to his father. To ease the pressure he feels between his family obligations and his artistic ambitions, Jimmy indulges in sex and drugs. But the stress is getting too much, and Jimmy may ruin everything as his life spins out of control.

Director: James Toback
Screenwriter: James Toback
Distributor: Brut Productions, Worldvision Enterprises Inc.
Production Co: Brut Productions, Fingers Productions, Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2017
Sound Mix: Mono