Welcome back to the second installment of Disc Dive! There is no rhyme or reason as to how I’m picking out these discs. Since we had a Criterion disc last week, I figured why not go to the opposite end of the spectrum this week. From a Nicolas Cage 6-film collection DVD comes… Deadfall (1993).
Title: Deadfall
Director: Christopher Coppola
Released: October 8, 1993 (Limited release – United States)
Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
Disc Format: DVD
Joe Donan (Michael Biehn) is a conman who uses his good looks to his advantage. Unfortunately though, not even his good looks can prevent the tragedy that’s about to unfold.
During a drug deal (no, Joe’s not a dealer, this is just part of a long con), Joe shoots his father Mike (James Coburn) with what are supposed to be blanks. Somehow, the blanks were swapped with live rounds, Joe has mistakenly killed his father.
Mike’s final words to Joe were about recovering “the cake”. But what could that possibly mean?
To try and find the answer, Joe sets out to find his Uncle Lou (Coburn) who looks exactly like his father. It’s Lou’s right-hand, Eddie (Nicolas Cage) who eventually takes Joe to meet his uncle. It doesn’t take long before Lou has Joe running cons alongside Eddie.
How much risk is Joe willing to take to fulfill his father’s dying wish?
When I bought the 6-film collection DVD that included Deadfall (1993), I did so because it was a cheap way to get Lord of War. While I’d heard of most of the other titles (Joe, Drive Angry, Knowing, Bangkok Dangerous), Deadfall was one I’d never heard anything about. After watching it, I can understand why.
It really wants to be a film noir and at times they almost nail it. There are moments where the production design gives a noir type of feel before devolving into a cross of ’60s Batman and an ’80s made-for-TV movie. In addition, while some narration is helpful, what we get here is an over explanation of an already thin plot.
The acting is another thing all its own here. Whether a brief appearance from the likes of Peter Fonda and Charlie Sheen or Biehn as Joe, everyone seems to be acting in their own movie, poorly.
Though, there is one saving grace, Christopher Coppola let his brother loose to do his own thing.
Nic Cage goes full Nic Cage and it’s the saving grace of the entire movie. When he isn’t on screen, you’re just waiting for him to pop up again. And when you know he won’t, you’re just waiting for things to end.
What’s the accent he’s doing and why does it seem to change slightly every scene?
Doesn’t matter, just sit back and enjoy the absolute madness that is an unchecked Nic Cage performance.
Have you seen Deadfall (1993)?
If so, leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and let me hear your thoughts on it!
As always, you can follow me over on Letterboxd to see what else I’ve been watching lately.