Shattered (1991 film)

Infobox Film
name = Shattered


caption =
director = Wolfgang Petersen
producer =
writer = Wolfgang Petersen
Richard Neely (novel)
starring = Tom Berenger
Bob Hoskins
Greta Scacchi
Joanne Whalley
Corbin Bernsen
music = Alan Silvestri
cinematography = László Kovács
editing = Glenn Farr
Hannes Nikel
distributor = MGM/UA
released = October 11, 1991
runtime = 98 min
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = 1:44196
imdb_id = 0102900

"Shattered" is a 1991 neo-noir/psychological thriller starring Tom Berenger, Greta Scacchi, Bob Hoskins, Joanne Whalley, Corbin Bernsen and Scott Getlin.

Plot synopsis

A Hitchcockian thriller directed and written for the screen by Wolfgang Petersen, Shattered stars Tom Berenger as Dan Merrick, a man who at the film's start gets himself into a horrible car wreck off a mountain road. The impact causes brain damage for Merrick, which results in complete amnesia. After undergoing surgery to repair his disfigured face, Merrick tries to reintegrate back into his normal life. However, flashbacks of events he can't remember keep popping into his mind and this leads him to a dark secret no one wants him to know. Filled with twists and turns, the film is reminiscent of the classic noir films of the 40s. Its surprise revelation at the film's climax has given the film a cult status amongst viewers.

Cast

*Tom Berenger as Dan Merrick
*Greta Scacchi as Judith Merrick
*Bob Hoskins as Gus Klien
*Joanne Whalley as Jenny Scott
*Corbin Bernsen as Jeb Scott
*Scott Getlin as Jack Stanton

Critical reception

*The film's twist ending has caused a division among the responses given by critics. Several critics find the revelation too ridiculous to accept, while others find it inventive and clever. Roger Ebert falls into the former category, stating that the film's resolution is "inconceivably implausible," and that the "screenplay is too clever by half." However, he goes onto say that this quality "is always sort of fun."Roger Ebert, [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19911011/REVIEWS/110110301/1023 "Shattered" Review] , "Chicago Sun Times] About.com falls into the later category, calling the finale "a killer twist ending!"Fred Topel, [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1036952-shattered/?critic=columns "Shattered" Review] , "About.com"] and the Washington Post says, "It would be disastrous to even hint at the movie's denouement; a critic could get lynched for giving away an ending as shockingly unexpected as the one here. Let's just say that it blows the top of your head off."Hal Hinson, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/shatteredrhinson_a0a70f.htm "Shattered" Review] , "The Washington Post"] Despite this division, critics generally hold the film's surprise denouncement as unexpected and startling, though whether it is too clever for its own good is debatable and left up to the viewer.

Technical notes

*Awards: Deauville Film Festival - Nominated - Critics Award.
*Film Locations:
**"Oregon:" Nehalem, Tillamook County; Oswald West State Park; Neahkahnie Mountain.
**"California:" Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin County; City and County of San Francisco; Sausalito, Marin County. [http://www.filminamerica.com/PacificNorthwest/NCA/Shattered/ "Film in America"] ]
*Release Date: October 11, 1991
*Box Office:
**"Opening Weekend:" $3,457,105 (1,286 theaters, $2,688 average) [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=shattered.htm "Box Office Mojo"] ]
**"Total Gross:" $11,511,031
*Songs Used:
**"Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
**"Hacienda Source" by Ashley Irwin

Trivia

*The video cassette box for the movie "Shattered" can be seen in the movie "The Ring" (2002), specifically in the scene at the log cabin.
*Plastic surgeon George Herbert Semel, M.D., not only served as a medical adviser on the film, but also played the plastic surgeon. [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1036952-shattered/about.php "Rotten Tomatoes"] ]
*Nineteen stunt people were utilized in the film's stunt work. [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1036952-shattered/about.php "Rotten Tomatoes"] ]

External links

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References