Search and Destroy (1995 film)
Search and Destroy is a 1995 drama film based on a stage play[1] by Howard Korder and directed by David Salle. The film stars Griffin Dunne, repeating his role from the stage production, Rosanna Arquette, Illeana Douglas, Ethan Hawke, Dennis Hopper, John Turturro and Christopher Walken, and features Martin Scorsese as "The Accountant." Salle was nominated for the Grand Special Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival.
| Search and Destroy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Release Poster | |
| Directed by | David Salle |
| Produced by | Ruth Charny Elie Cohn Dan Lupovitz |
| Written by | Play: Howard Korder Screenplay: Michael Almereyda |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | Bobby Bukowski Michael Spiller |
| Edited by | Lawrence Blume Michelle Gorchow |
| Distributed by | October Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4,000,000 (est.) |
| Box office | $389,503 |
Plot
Middle-aged Martin Mirkhein (Griffin Dunne) is a complete failure. He's run a successful business into debt, his marriage is falling apart, and now he owes the IRS $147,956 in back taxes. Martin may not have much going for him but he has read "Daniel Strong," a best-selling, self-help novel by the popular TV guru Dr. Waxling (Dennis Hopper). Now he wants to turn the novel into a major motion picture. To do that, Martin needs the rights and the revenue. Given his grating personality and terrible track record, it won't be easy to get hold of either. He sets out to meet with Dr. Waxling but ends up sleeping with Waxling's screenwriter-assistant Marie (Illeana Douglas) instead. Determined to make a movie, Martin and Marie move to New York. There, they get involved with wealthy Kim Ulander (Christopher Walken), an enigmatic businessman with quirky tendencies and a repressed desire to live dangerously. If they aren't careful, this daring duo may not come out of this deal alive.
Cast
- Griffin Dunne as Martin Mirkheim
- Dennis Hopper as Dr. Luther Waxling
- Christopher Walken as Kim Ulander
- John Turturro as Ron
- Ethan Hawke as Roger
- Rosanna Arquette as Lauren Mirkheim
- Robert Knepper as Daniel Strong
- Illeana Douglas as Marie Davenport
- Martin Scorsese as The Accountant
- Jason Ferraro as Young Daniel Strong
- David Thornton as Rob
- Karole Armitage as Red River Valley dancer
- Dan Hedaya as Tailor
Reviews
Search and Destroy maintains a 33% positive rating at Rotten Tomatoes.[2]