Equinox (1993)

33% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
34% of users liked it
(1,284 ratings)

Alan Rudolph wrote and directed this typically off-beat drama. A brief romantic liaison between a wealthy European and an American ballet dancer results in a pair of identical twins, who are separated and raised by others shortly after birth. Henry (Matthew Modine) was adopted by Pete (M. Emmet… More Alan Rudolph wrote and directed this typically off-beat drama. A brief romantic liaison between a wealthy European and an American ballet dancer results in a pair of identical twins, who are separated and raised by others shortly after birth. Henry (Matthew Modine) was adopted by Pete (M. Emmet Walsh), an auto mechanic, and Henry grows up to follow in his Pete's footsteps. Emotionally fragile, Henry is in a relationship with Beverly (Lara Flynn Boyle), a rich but painfully shy woman who is terrified by sex. Henry, however, finds his own sexual appetite increasing, and he becomes involved with Rosie (Marisa Tomei), a prostitute living in his neighborhood. Meanwhile, Henry's brother, Freddy (also played by Matthew Modine), lives in the same city, though they've never met. Freddy is a gangster and hired killer working for crime kingpin Mr. Paris (Fred Ward). While Freddy is cool and confident on the surface, deep down he hates his job and tells his wife, Sharon (Lori Singer), that he wishes he had enough money to quit and move away. As fate would have it, Freddy and Henry's mother, who sank into a severe depression after losing her children and her lover, has died, leaving a substantial fortune to her two sons, who must now meet in order to collect their inheritance. Equinox premiered at the 1992 Seattle Film Festival, though it would not open theatrically until a year later. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Alan Rudolph
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Jun 20, 2006
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though socially-minded in its concern for the moral decay of urban society, Equinox suffers from the usual Rudolph problems, low-key tone and incoherent text, made worse by Matthew Modine flat performance in a dual role.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Typically twisted Rudolph, with a great cast
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Should not only satisfy Ruddolph fans, but garner him some new ones.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It is an original film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Christopher B

I have a great history with this film. I remember it played one weekend afternoon when I was a kid and on Monday my friends and I couldn't stop talking about it. It had all these monsters and fantastic effects and managed to be fun and scare the crap out of us at the same time.… More
I have a great history with this film. I remember it played one weekend afternoon when I was a kid and on Monday my friends and I couldn't stop talking about it. It had all these monsters and fantastic effects and managed to be fun and scare the crap out of us at the same time. Then came the day that I heard it influenced my favourite film, The Evil Dead. I thought it might have been that film with all the stop motion effects I remembered so fondly from my youth, but I think that had been called Equinox, not The Beast. Well, it was Equinox and I watched it again, both with nostalgia, and since I had forgotten so much of it (except the ending which had haunted me and my friends so much as kids) it was like seeing it for the first time again. And then, as a full grown adult, the craziest thing of all happened, effin' Criterion released a double disc version of it! Criterion! If ever a movie deserved a double disc edition, sure I would say this one, but most people would (and did) scoff at the idea of this getting the deluxe treatment. Well, despite their whining, God must love me a whole bunch for this DVD. Now when I have kids I can't wait for them to feel the joy and scares of this wonderful little film (though I may skip ahead the sheriff molestation scene though I love that close up). Also, this is an odd instance I like the producers cut better than the filmmakers cut, but that's understandable since it was made by a bunch of kids. Highly recommended.

Cast

            Matthew Modine as Henry Petosa/Freddy Ace

            Lara Flynn Boyle as Beverly Franks

            Fred Ward as Paris

            Tyra Ferrell as Sonya Kirk

            Tate Donovan as Richie Nunn

            Marisa Tomei as Rosie Rivers

            Kevin J. O'Connor as Russell Frankel

            Lori Singer as Sharon Ace

            Gailard Sartain as Dandridge

            M. Emmet Walsh as Pete Petosa

            Dirk Blocker as Red

            Vanni Corbellini as (not in credits)

            Vincent Curto as Gangster

            Matthew Dudley as Henry's Neighborhood Tough

            Debra Dusay as Judith Hamner

            Ken Earl as Banker

            Tony Genaro as Eddie Gutierrez

            Elizabeth Gray as Large Woman on Bus

            Craig Hosking as Helicopter Pilot

            Meegan Lee Ochs as Bess

            Les Podewell as Jerome Hamner

            Carlos Sanz as Harold

            John Sargent as 2nd Neighborhood Tough

            Billy Silva as Sabujii

            Shirley Venard as Ville Capri Waitress

            Dana Wheeler-Nicholson as Self-Defense Victim

            André Wilms as (not in credits)

            Frank Davis as Marsh

            Bob Gould as Mel

            Isabell Monk as Apartment Manager

            Angel Aviles as Anna Gutierrez

            Pat Clemons as Helena

            Pancho Demmings as Morgue Worker

            Jack Walsh as Newspaper Man
See full cast