LIVERS AIN'T CHEAP

US, 1996, 90 minutes, Colour.
Ashley Laurence, Jeremy Piven, Rod Steiger.
Directed by James Merendino.

Livers Ain't Cheap is a small-budget crime thriller which screened at the Venice Film Festival. This film as others by the director James Merindino received very little commercial release. Merindino emerged in the early 90s with a number of small-budget crime films and has continued in that vein. He is an example of the writer-director who emerged from the Reservoir Dogs- Pulp Fiction era, a focus on crimes, robberies, failures as well as a focus on eccentric gangsters and their interactions.

This film is colourful – and boasts quite a strong cast ranging from Americans like James Russo and Jeremy Piven to the English Emily Lloyd to the Italian Fabrizio Bentivoglio (who appeared in other Merindino films). There are also character actors like Rod Steiger, Esai Morales and Gary Busey.

The film is entertaining in this Tarantino-like way. However, it is more likely to appeal to film buffs rather than the wider audience.

1.Interesting and entertaining American crime and gangster thriller? A film of the new generation of directors of the '90s?

2.The work of a young writer-director, the plot, characterisations, language? Brash dialogue? Vivid portrayal of violence and bloodletting?

3.The title and its tone? The film described as a dirty film noir?

4.Use of Panavision photography, Los Angeles locations? Action sequences? Editing and pace? Use of colours, shadows, filters? Creating its particular environment?

5.The decision to use a classical music score by contrast with expectations? Contrast with the violent action? The use of Grieg, Tchaikovsky etc.?

6.The vitality of the opening, the violent shooting and chase? The danger in the Los Angeles streets? The police, Dexter, his arrest?

7.Dexter and the prison sequence, tough, in the cell, the discussion with the Hispanic American? The plan about the robbery? The violent attitudes towards Jimmy? His overhearing the plan? His telling other people - and the consequences of murders, his being shot, his need for a liver replacement and the literal meaning of the title?

8.The title and its tone, reference to Jimmy? Rupert and John and their concern? The decision to get the money for the liver transplant? The pressure on Rupert?

9.Rupert and John and their work at the factory, the boss and his tough line on time off, Rupert and his insolence, needing the time for his brother, getting the sack? His anger and his breaking the equipment?

10.The build-up to the plan? The discussion about getting a gang? The insertion of the flashbacks? Eric and his tattoos, the sexual encounter, the police and his imprisonment? Lisa and the Robbery and her brazen attitudes? Alfredo and his beard, the con plan, the deal - and the beard coming loose and his being literally unmasked? John and Carla and the discussion, their wanting in on the robbery plan?

11.The prison sequence, the guards, Dexter and the brutality and murders in his escape?

12.The club, the plan for the New Year party? Rod Steiger as the boss, his henchmen, the money?

13.The elaboration of the plan - and the fast forwards to its execution? Next door and the bagel shop, the vacancy? Getting the machine to break through the wall? The importance of the timing before midnight? Alfredo, Eric and Carla and their dressing up, their entree to the party? Their being part of the group, waiting, Eric and his tension and his wanting to blow cover? The boss and the group with the money, their going into the party? The small group in the office, ready to break through the wall? The build-up to New Year, the visualising of the countdown? The boss and his return - Eric's tension but all going well? Midnight?

14.The timing for midnight, the crash through the wall? The staged fight in the room? The music? The sudden silence - Dexter and company and the counter-robbery? The confrontation, the violent shoot-outs? The pursuit of the boss - and his suiciding in the corridor?

15.The failed robbery? Alfredo and the police, urging Carla to escape and be free? The various killers dead? Lisa and her taking of the car, the speeding, the block and her crashing and her death? Rupert and the question of running with the money?

16.The character of Rupert, the leader of the group, the bond with Johnny - and the violence of Johnny's death? His decision to run with the money? The shoot-out? Dexter and his violent death? The sudden onslaught of the truck and Rupert's death and the scattering of the money?

17.Rupert as the focus, his past, commanding loyalties of the group? The characters of the different members of the gang? Their rapport and their plan?

18.The ultimate irony - whether Jimmy would get his liver? Rupert's death? And crime literally not paying?

19.A 90s version of the heist movie? Gangsters and plans? The film noir?