This World, Then the Fireworks

Play trailer

This World, Then the Fireworks

R

Released Jul 11, 1997

1h 40m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In this film adaptation of a book by novelist Jim Thompson, Marty (Billy Zane) and Carol Lakewood (Gina Gershon) are twins bound together by the horrors they endured as kids. When crooked police officers come after Marty, he is forced to go on the run, leaving his spouse and career behind and hiding out with Carol, who has turned to prostitution. Soon Marty and his sister begin to pull cons together while reigniting the strange, erotic relationship they indulged in as children.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

The padded screenplay takes the neo-noir notion of hardboiled and launches it right into a soupy camp stew.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 27, 2020

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It's a bizarre relationship, tender and respectful with a suggestively incestuous undercurrent that pulls at the story, like a schizophrenic, drug addled take on Tennessee Williams

Mar 24, 2016

Full Review

Adam Lippe

Examiner.com

Sheryl Lee, as the cop who Billy Zane is scamming and sleeping with gives such a terrible performance that is simultaneously absolutely perfect. She's the most accurate representative of the movie as a whole.

Apr 16, 2012

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Elegantly stylish, intensely erotic, and slightly perverse, this rendition of Thomson's pulp novel is an art movie that's likely to divide sharply film critics and audiences--go for the ride.

Rated: B

Jan 8, 2007

Full Review

Dragan Antulov

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Rated: 2/10

Oct 21, 2003

Full Review

Oz

eFilmCritic.com

Rated: 1/5

Sep 26, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alain E

This is the equivalent of a graphic novel. Obviously, if we examine the story under a microscope many items are not very plausible. They are here to propel the narrative. The cinematography in terms of angles, colors and framing serve the aims of the director superbly. This has all the elements of a cult movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

Full Review

Bahad j

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

Full Review

Audience Member

NOSTALGIA SMOKES CIGARRETES COPS AND DETECTIVES AND IMPOSSIBLE RELATION SHIPS MAKE UP YOUR DECISION FREE WORLD OR BORING LIFETIME!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Out there a bit, ok a lot , but.... I liked it

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

(1997 Director: Michael Oblowitz) I enjoyed this movie, though admittedly it was a little difficult to watch two incredibly gorgeous twins (one female, one male) living off their looks in less than moral ways. Oddly enough gorgeous Billy Zane's character met misfortune from his legitimate undercover career, causing him to return home. Rue McClanahan was a bright spot as their mother. In reviewing Ms McClanahan's filmography, I was surprised to learn that I have seen few of her movies. Anyone remember her character in a personal favorite, Starship Troopers??

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Best movie ever from Gina and Billy

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Michael Oblowitz

Director

Billy Zane

Marty Lakewood

Gina Gershon

Carol Lakewood

Sheryl Lee

Lois Archer

Rue McClanahan

Mom Lakewood

Roberta Hanley

Younger Mom Lakewood

City of Industry

43%

40%

City of Industry

Watchlist

True Crime

56%

49%

True Crime

Watchlist

One Tough Cop

24%

21%

One Tough Cop

Watchlist

L.A. Confidential

99%

94%

L.A. Confidential

Watchlist

Face

38%

71%

Face

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this film adaptation of a book by novelist Jim Thompson, Marty (Billy Zane) and Carol Lakewood (Gina Gershon) are twins bound together by the horrors they endured as kids. When crooked police officers come after Marty, he is forced to go on the run, leaving his spouse and career behind and hiding out with Carol, who has turned to prostitution. Soon Marty and his sister begin to pull cons together while reigniting the strange, erotic relationship they indulged in as children.

Director: Michael Oblowitz
Producer: Brad Wyman, Chris Hanley, Larry Gross
Screenwriter: Jim Thompson, Larry Gross
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: JVC Entertainment, Largo Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9K
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now