With Friends Like These (1998)
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50% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
33% of users liked it
(59 ratings)
Life among insecure, middle-aged character actors, former New Yorkers in L.A., is the main plot focus of this Philip Frank Messina comedy about four friends who want the same role in the next Martin Scorsese gangster flick. Balding Johnny DiMartino (Robert Costanzo) is so excited by the news of a… More Life among insecure, middle-aged character actors, former New Yorkers in L.A., is the main plot focus of this Philip Frank Messina comedy about four friends who want the same role in the next Martin Scorsese gangster flick. Balding Johnny DiMartino (Robert Costanzo) is so excited by the news of a possible part as Al Capone in a Scorsese film that he informs ladies' man Dorian Masstandrea (Jon Tenney), who cheats on his wife Samantha (Elle Macpherson). Dorian immediately makes moves to get his own audition. Johnny goes to Armand (David Strathairn) for coaching in Sicilian characteristics, and he worries that his look-alike, Rudy Ptak (Jon Polito) will get the part. Steve Hersh (Adam Arkin) tries to get through to Scorsese, although his wife Joanne (Laura San Giacomo) is convinced he doesn't have a chance. Cameos by Bill Murray and Scorsese (portraying himself at the audition). Shown at the 1998 Santa Barbara Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Philip Frank Messina, Alain Zaloum
- Written By
- Philip Frank Messina
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 10, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The incessant betrayals and confidences become monotonous after a time, and the film sinks into the familiar swamp of suburban futility.
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Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
The movie works as well as it does because the cast knows the material so intimately.
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Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Only sporadically amusing.
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Stephen Holden, New York Times
At its best, Philip Frank Messina's show business comedy plays like a less acerbic, less Jewish triple episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
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Peter L'Official, Village Voice
Plot and characterization are drawn strictly off the rack.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Adam Arkin
as Steve Hersh
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Robert Costanzo
as Johnny DiMartino
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Beverly D'Angelo
as Theresa Carpenter
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Elle Macpherson
as Samantha Mastandrea
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Amy Madigan
as Hannah DiMartino
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Laura San Giacomo
as Joanne Hersh
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David Strathairn
as Armand Minetti
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Jon Tenney
as Dorian Mastandrea
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Lauren Tom
as Yolanda Chin
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Carmine Costanzo
as Nino DiMartino
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Tom La Grua
as Head Mob Guy
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Garry Marshall
as Frank Minetti
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Michael McKean
as Dr. Maxwell Hersh
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Ashley Peldon
as Marissa DiMartino
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Jon Polito
as Rudy Ptak
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Armando Pucci
as Dr. Puccini
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Andrew Schaifer
as Trent Rabinowitz
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Heather Stephens
as Babette
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Bill Murray
as Maurice Melnick
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Martin Scorsese
as Scorsese
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Garland Jeffreys
as Wedding Singer
- Rachel Bruneau
- Michael Burns
- Carolyn Davine
- Norman Fell
- Mark Ruel
- Michel Burns
- Deidre Fitzsimons
