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For Hire

  • 1997
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
354
YOUR RATING
Rob Lowe and Joe Mantegna in For Hire (1997)
Thriller

Chicago cabbie Mitch Lawrence is a man whose dreams are starting to fade. His only shining light is his loving and pregnant wife. When one of his clients, author Lou Webber offers him money ... Read allChicago cabbie Mitch Lawrence is a man whose dreams are starting to fade. His only shining light is his loving and pregnant wife. When one of his clients, author Lou Webber offers him money to eliminate a drug dealer who is stalking him, Mitch refuses. Days later, Mitch is diagno... Read allChicago cabbie Mitch Lawrence is a man whose dreams are starting to fade. His only shining light is his loving and pregnant wife. When one of his clients, author Lou Webber offers him money to eliminate a drug dealer who is stalking him, Mitch refuses. Days later, Mitch is diagnosed with inoperable stomach cancer. He reconsiders Lou's offer, and for the sake of his wi... Read all

  • Director
    • Jean Pellerin
  • Writers
    • Karen Erbach
    • Leah Kerr
  • Stars
    • Rob Lowe
    • Joe Mantegna
    • Bronwen Booth
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    354
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jean Pellerin
    • Writers
      • Karen Erbach
      • Leah Kerr
    • Stars
      • Rob Lowe
      • Joe Mantegna
      • Bronwen Booth
    • 4User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

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    Top cast31

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    Rob Lowe
    Rob Lowe
    • Mitch Lawrence
    Joe Mantegna
    Joe Mantegna
    • Alan Webber
    Bronwen Booth
    Bronwen Booth
    • Faye Lawrence
    Charles Edwin Powell
    Charles Edwin Powell
    • Joe Watson
    • (as Charles Powell)
    Steve Adams
    Steve Adams
    • Tom Kellman
    Jack Langedijk
    Jack Langedijk
    • Vic Mann
    Marie-Josée Longchamps
    Marie-Josée Longchamps
    • Snobbish Saleslady
    Jean-Louis Roux
    Jean-Louis Roux
    • Professor Gerald Lambert
    John Dunn-Hill
    John Dunn-Hill
    • Larry Sharp
    Carl Alacchi
    Carl Alacchi
    • Cabbie #1
    Robert Ozores
    • Cabbie #2
    • (as Roberto Ozores)
    HoJo Rose
    HoJo Rose
    • Richard, Faye's Boss
    • (as Howard Rosenstein)
    Neil Kroetsch
    Neil Kroetsch
    • Dr. Shepherd
    Ralph Allison
    • The Good Doctor
    Susan Glover
    Susan Glover
    • Dr. Peterson's Receptionist
    Burke Lawrence
    • Mike, the Bartender
    Larry Day
    Larry Day
    • Self
    Howard Bilerman
    • Technician
    • Director
      • Jean Pellerin
    • Writers
      • Karen Erbach
      • Leah Kerr
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    5.4354
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    Featured reviews

    6ipswich-2

    Good twist but ending could have been better.

    Cab Driver Mitch Lawrence (Rob Lowe), diagnosed with interminable cancer and given less than six months to live, decides to take up a $50,000 offer from his client Lou Webber (Joe Mantegna) to eliminate a drug dealer who is stalking him. Reluctantly Mitch, who needs the cash for his family, commits the murder, and then his whole life goes into a tailspin. This is a very good movie until perhaps the last third, when the plot sadly degenerates into a 'let's chase and catch the bad guy' sequence. Any movie with Joe Mantegna is usually a plus point but in this case, he is sadly out of form and his character under developed.
    6merklekranz

    Enjoyable though somewhat convoluted ...............

    Joe Mantegna is always a good watch, and the script is good also. Though somewhat convoluted in the way things conveniently happen, "For Hire" still delivers enough entertainment to be considered above average. Character development is good, and the story slowly paced. If you are willing to overlook the loose threads left hanging, then this is totally acceptable. If you are going to over analyze each plot point, then this is not your movie. Like another reviewer mentioned, the film is "Mamet-like", so if you are a fan of "House of Games", then seek this one out. If you need instant action, explosions, and car chases, you should definitely pass on "For Hire". - MERK
    10rhare

    Very good film, similar to David Mamet films.

    This was a very good film. It had the same feel as the David Mamet films "A Spanish Prisoner" and "House of Games". If you liked those movies you will like this one. It even has Joe Mantegna in the movie. He was in "House of Games".
    2roammd

    Terrible

    Nothing redeeming about this movie.

    The "twist" is obvious from the first 5 minutes and it's been done better hundreds of times. A man of means somehow needs a loser to do his dirty work, or does he?? The plot is so thin and the production values so low it could pass for an '80's made for TV movie.

    The main character is unlikeable and there is no tenderness between him and his pregnant girlfriend--the supposed pathos driving his motivation.

    Too slow, poorly filmed, unhumorous, shallow characters, poor performances.

    Watch Fletch (yes, again) or Strangers on a Train instead.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Crazy credits
      Production Dog: Shakespeare
    • Connections
      References Lost in Space (1965)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 2, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Asesinato por engaño
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production company
      • Kingsborough Greenlight Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR

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