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      Playing God

      R Released Oct 17, 1997 1 hr. 34 min. Drama List
      16% 32 Reviews Tomatometer 33% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score A decertified surgeon (David Duchovny) accepts a job as personal doctor for a Los Angeles mobster (Timothy Hutton) sought by the FBI. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jul 27 Buy Now

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      Playing God

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      Audience Reviews

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      Tyler B Surprisingly underrated and overhated little gem. Most people in 1997 seemed to hate this one and I got it for sale off Kino's site last year, but never had the chance to watch it. Expected it to disappoint but honestly it was quite fun and inventive for what it was. The director and DP were having fun with all the different camera angles and styles they had available and it shows. It's really inventive in some scenes (one shot Duchovny and Hutton talk to each other in a wacky lens, it's odd but fun.) Cast wise it's really well picked with Duchovny and Hutton making the most of their first real chance in a while to lead a movie and they give it their all very subtly and solid. David especially is a hoot to watch and it reminds me of his later work in Aquarius in terms of his dry sarcastic humor. He does it in spades here and it's super fun. Hutton meanwhile plays a very likeable and human baddie, and he's not a bit hateable. That works for the movie's advantage. Angelina Jolie really steals the show though, this was one of her first real mainstream roles and she shines so hard whenever she shows up, I don't think I've seen her be more beautiful honestly. You could see she was destined to be a star. The rest of the side cast is solid especially Michael Massee in a rare post Crow role. Only real complaint is the last act of the movie feels kinda rushed. They cut out scenes with David and Angie that really helped their arc more and you could feel it lacking in some spots. The climax also feels kinda rushed, I wish they'd gave it 5 or 10 more minutes to be more thorough. Take those away and it woulda been a solid end to a solid movie. But as it is I really enjoyed this one, def will re-watch this one a lot Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/14/23 Full Review Audience Member A great play between David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie, even if Duchovny does most of the talking Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A pretty cool little crime drama about a mob doctor. Maybe it's just elevated by Duchovney... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review william s Was this the start of Californication or is this just Moulder playing dress up.Either way it's not very good. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I've been reviewing Mill Creeks Blu-Ray releases and this one was packed in with Color of night starring Bruce Willis. Wasn't a big fan of the movie, David Duchovny's performance isn't too bad and Angelina Jolie is decent, but the rest of the cast I'm afraid falls flat. Duchovny plays a surgeon (Eugene Sands) who loses his license after having a patient die while he's under the influence of drugs. Eugene saves a criminal inside a bar one night and gets noticed by Claire (Angelina Jolie), Claire is friends with a counterfeiter (Timothy Hutton) and Eugene is recruited for their personal doctor. Eugene and Claire get involved and they go on the run, the typical romance/action movie. Didn't keep me very entertained, wouldn't recommend it. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member If you haven't seen this you should... another movie added to the underrated section. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (32) Critics Reviews
      Kathy Cano-Murillo Arizona Republic Just when the film starts to lag, Hutton and Duchovny throw in some lines to keep it gruesomely lighthearted. Rated: 3/5 Aug 18, 2021 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune David Duchovny is absolutely charming in a movie that combines medicine and crime and ultimately wears out its welcome by being too cute and repetitive with its throwaway humor. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 28, 2019 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: D Sep 7, 2011 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews The degree to which Playing God simply doesn't work is, quite frankly, astonishing... Rated: 1.5/4 Feb 8, 2016 Full Review Rebecca Murray About.com Rated: 1/5 Oct 27, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 8, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A decertified surgeon (David Duchovny) accepts a job as personal doctor for a Los Angeles mobster (Timothy Hutton) sought by the FBI.
      Director
      Andy Wilson
      Executive Producer
      Armyan Bernstein, Thomas A. Bliss
      Production Co
      Beacon Communications, Touchstone Pictures
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 17, 1997, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 1, 2013
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $4.2M
      Sound Mix
      Surround
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