The Public Eye (1992)
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62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(1,192 ratings)
Howard Franklin wrote and directed this film noir character study based on the famed New York Daily News photographer Weegee. Joe Pesci plays a character named Bernstein, a freelance photographer for the New York City tabloids of the 1940s. His life is dedicated to his work; with a police radio… More Howard Franklin wrote and directed this film noir character study based on the famed New York Daily News photographer Weegee. Joe Pesci plays a character named Bernstein, a freelance photographer for the New York City tabloids of the 1940s. His life is dedicated to his work; with a police radio under the dashboard of his car and a darkroom in his trunk, he quickly and efficiently races to the scene of crimes, accidents and murders to snap photographs of gangsters, politicians, cops, and prostitutes, which he promptly delivers to the newspapers. His knack for arriving at a crime scene before the police earns him the nickname the Great Bernzini. The trouble begins for Bernstein when he agrees to look up a gangster for Kay (Barbara Hershey), the sexy owner of a fancy Manhattan nightclub. After making inquiries, Bernstein traces the man Kay is looking for, but he turns up dead. When he informs the police, he becomes a suspect in the murder; it also turns out that the FBI is interested the case. Bernstein then uncovers an elaborate conspiracy concerning gas rationing, the mob, and the government. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Howard Franklin
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Oct 16, 1992 Wide
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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David Ansen, Newsweek
In its moody, daffy way, The Public Eye gives off an authentic reek of artistic compulsion.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A period noir thriller, in which Pesci plays one of his few lead roles as Leon (Bernzy)Bernstein, a magician behind the lens with an eye for life's darker side blessed with the soul of an artist
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Joe Pesci
as Leonard "The Great Bernzini" Bernstein
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Barbara Hershey
as Kay Levitz
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Stanley Tucci
as Sal Minetto
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Jerry Adler
as Arthur Nabler
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Jared Harris
as Danny the Doorman
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Gerry Becker
as Conklin
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Dominic Chianese
as Spoleto
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Del Close
as H.R. Rineman
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Richard Foronjy
as Farinelli
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Bob Gunton
as Older Agent
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Joe Guzaldo
as Spoleto's Lieutenant
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Peter Maloney
as Federal Watchman
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Richard Riehle
as Officer O'Brien
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Ian Abercrombie
as Mr. Brown
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Vinny Argiro
as Sergeant at Police Station
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Henry Bolzon
as Photographer at Cafe
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Maurice Bravo
as 1st Photographer
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Max Brooks
as Teen at Thompson Street
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Laura Cerone
as Puerto Rican Woman
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Jack Denbo
as Photo Editor
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Teresa di Marco
as Mrs. D'Angelo
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Kevin Dorsey
as Singer
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Shay Duffin
as Chief of Police
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Toni Fleming
as Sal's Mother
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Steve Forleo
as Hood
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Tim Gamble
as Agent Chadwick
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David Gianopoulos
as Portofino
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Chuck Gillespie
as Cop-Puerto Rican Tenement
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Joe V. Greco
as Villa Guard-Hitman
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Patricia Healy
as Vera
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Timothy Hendrickson
as Richard Rineman
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David Hull
as Thatcher White
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Marge Kotlisky
as Rineman's Receptionist
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Louie Lanciloti
as Mikey
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Tom Lauricella
as 2nd Photographer
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Phil Locker
as Arresting Cop
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George Lugg
as 3rd Photographer
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Al Mancini
as Camera Shop Clerk
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Ellen McElduff
as Lonely Woman at Drugsore
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Mick McGovern
as Cop with Hood
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Kyle Moore
as Young Agent
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Gian-Carlo Scandiuzzi
as Maitre d'
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Richard Schiff
as Photographer-Thompson Street
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Bryan Travis Smith
as Young Cop
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Randall Stanton
as Federal Guard
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Christian Stolti
as Ambulance Attendant
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Nick Tate
as Henry Haddock Jr.
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Jason Wells
as Garage Attendant
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Jean Zarzour
as Sal's Wife
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John Farris
as Albert Gerard
- Donna Isaacson
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John M. Watson Sr.
as Sculllion
- Christian Stolte
- Laura Ceron
