The Bag Man

Name: The Bag Man
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: February 28, 2014
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 28
Cast: Crispin Glover, Dominic Purcell, John Cusack, Rebecca Da Costa, Robert De Niro

2014

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Ratings

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The Bag Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Release Date: February 28, 2014 | R

Starring: Crispin Glover, Dominic Purcell, John Cusack, Rebecca Da Costa, Robert De Niro, Sticky Fingaz

Summary: Jack (John Cusack), a tough guy with chronic bad luck is hired by Dragna (Robert De Niro), a legendary crime boss to complete a simple but unusual task. Over the course of a long and violently eventful night awaiting Dragna’s arrival, Jack’s path crosses that of Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), a stunningly beautiful woman whose life becomesJack (John Cusack), a tough guy with chronic bad luck is hired by Dragna (Robert De Niro), a legendary crime boss to complete a simple but unusual task. Over the course of a long and violently eventful night awaiting Dragna’s arrival, Jack’s path crosses that of Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), a stunningly beautiful woman whose life becomes physically and emotionally entangled with Jack’s. When Dragna finally arrives on the scene there are sudden and extreme consequences for all.… Expand

Director: David Grovic

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

Mar 6, 2014

The film has a nihilistic tone and its gallows humor may turn off more viewers than it seduces. Not since "Killer Joe" has a film exerted this mix of attraction and repulsion. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

Feb 24, 2014

The premise might make sense, if only hypocritically, but the film abandons this already flimsy parody of macho pride disastrously at the last minute. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Feb 27, 2014

The only one having any fun in this dead-on-arrival noir is Robert De Niro. Read full review

Rex Reed

Feb 26, 2014

It takes just under two hours of tedium before you find out what’s in the bag, and you might be sorry you waited. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Mar 7, 2014

What it looks like is warmed-over Tarantino mixed with a third-rate tribute to the Coen brothers with a dose of David Lynch-ian madness, two decades late to the party. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Feb 26, 2014

The Bag Man plays like a film from the years right after "Pulp Fiction," when the indie market was suddenly flooded with quips, guns, and hollow affectation. Read full review

The Playlist Christopher Schobert

Mar 2, 2014

The Bag Man is, in final analysis, truly disheartening. Read full review

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User Reviews

sambend

Mar 10, 2014

OMG what an awesome movie! Loved the Bag Man and John Cusack is always one of my favs. He was really hot as the bag man and its cool to see him playing a tough guy for a change. Robert De Niro was so himself as the crime boss guy and the plot was really intense. I liked the action and theOMG what an awesome movie! Loved the Bag Man and John Cusack is always one of my favs. He was really hot as the bag man and its cool to see him playing a tough guy for a change. Robert De Niro was so himself as the crime boss guy and the plot was really intense. I liked the action and the unexpected plot twists. It was cool how dark and moody the movie was although I agree that it was hard to see some of what was going on. But that kinda added to the mood of the film so I think the darkness was appropriate. Really cool movie, I heart John Cusack! LOL!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

gooberville

Mar 2, 2014

Not a bad first time effort from writer/director David Grovic, especially considering this was his first major motion picture. I really liked the neo-Film Noir vibe although the movie was so dark sometimes it was kind of hard to see what was going on in some scenes. De Niro was enjoyable asNot a bad first time effort from writer/director David Grovic, especially considering this was his first major motion picture. I really liked the neo-Film Noir vibe although the movie was so dark sometimes it was kind of hard to see what was going on in some scenes. De Niro was enjoyable as the crime boss, a role that seemed tailor made for him. Interesting casting with John Cusack as “The Bag Man.” I like seeing him step out of his usual light comic roles and playing it more straight. Perfect Crispin Glover role as the quirky desk clerk. He’s such an interesting actor, it’s too bad there aren’t more good parts for him. Rebecca De Costa was stunning obviously but also a good actress. I definitely expect to see her in more big roles this year. All in all, The Bag Man was a good time and a fun ride!… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

bonniewillene

Mar 6, 2014

The Bag Man is a dark, gritty thriller that has offbeat sensibilities that reminded me of Tarantino or the Coen Brothers. Robert De Niro plays an intellectual crime boss and it was great to see him back in a tough, wiseguy role after all the comedic “Meet the Fockers” type films he seems toThe Bag Man is a dark, gritty thriller that has offbeat sensibilities that reminded me of Tarantino or the Coen Brothers. Robert De Niro plays an intellectual crime boss and it was great to see him back in a tough, wiseguy role after all the comedic “Meet the Fockers” type films he seems to be stuck in lately.

John Cusack also steps outside of his usual range to play “Jack” a bad guy with a noble streak. He was surprisingly convincing as ill-tempered Jack and his performance was a reminder of his range, since like De Niro, he seems to get stuck in light comedy roles lately.

Rebecca De Costa shines as “Rivka” the femme fatale. This movie may not be the breakout role for her, but it could be the movie that leads to her getting the breakout role. Overall, the Bag Man was engaging and enjoyable, especially if you’re a fan of crime thrillers, which I am.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

emilymdevine

Mar 3, 2014

Really interesting movie, loved the concept of the “mysterious bag” you don’t know what is in for almost the whole movie. Reminded me of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction and the whole movie had kind of a pseudo-Tarantino feel to it with all the oddball characters in the motel and De Niro as anReally interesting movie, loved the concept of the “mysterious bag” you don’t know what is in for almost the whole movie. Reminded me of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction and the whole movie had kind of a pseudo-Tarantino feel to it with all the oddball characters in the motel and De Niro as an intellectual gangster. John Cusack was pretty good, as usual. Bit of a strange part for him as I’m used to seeing him in comedies but he was pretty convincing as a tough guy. Maybe not a masterpiece, but it was entertaining and I was never bored.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

felisadoris

Mar 6, 2014

The Bag Man is a modern day film noir crime story which is a great showcase for John Cusack as “Jack” the bagman, assigned to look after a mysterious leather satchel while hiding out at a seedy motel. Robert De Niro plays his crime boss and looks interesting with a silver pompadour, a laThe Bag Man is a modern day film noir crime story which is a great showcase for John Cusack as “Jack” the bagman, assigned to look after a mysterious leather satchel while hiding out at a seedy motel. Robert De Niro plays his crime boss and looks interesting with a silver pompadour, a la Paulie from the Sopranos.

The movie is definitely more sophisticated than a generic crime thriller with De Niro’s character quoting Herman Hesse and Sun Tzu. The motel Cusack hides out in is also filled with odd characters like the desk clerk played by Crispin Glover, a Serbian dwarf and a pimp with an eye patch. The tension of not knowing what’s in the bag works very well and there’s also lots of good action.

All in all, The Bag Man was a pretty enjoyable ride and had an offbeat sensibility that reminded me of the Coen brothers.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Jan 24, 2017

A mystery bag in the hands of an obedient man!

As the title suggests, it's all about the bag, a mystery bag. An interesting angle of storytelling. It was a good mystery, though they did not get it right. The plot line had all the ingredients, but while developing it, they had lost the way.A mystery bag in the hands of an obedient man!

As the title suggests, it's all about the bag, a mystery bag. An interesting angle of storytelling. It was a good mystery, though they did not get it right. The plot line had all the ingredients, but while developing it, they had lost the way. I was not impressed with the writing and also the direction. It is engaging with a fine pace, but visually all the crucial film scenes looked so flat or comparable with other classic films. More or less, everything is predictable, except the end twist.

This is a one day tale. Most of the film takes place in one night with full of mixup and going after the truth. A gangster boss hires a hit-man for an important job that he must safeguard a bag till he arrive to get it in an isolated motel. During waiting for his boss, the bag man goes through unexpected events which eventually taking many turns, that comes to an end with a twist. With the limited cast, everyone got a fair share of screen.

The actors like Cusack and De Niro are the advantage, but this is not an ideal film for such actors. Lately they and many other aged actors are into such films. So it is expected, but not expected to fail all their attempts. This film was okay, if you are not looking for a masterpiece thriller. Can be watched once, but instantly forgettable film. So film like this cannot be recommended, but if you decide to watch, don't expect anything other than just an entertainment or timepass. That is what it is good at.

4.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Qgal5kap

Mar 20, 2014

Oh my, what a seriously boring movie. I fell asleep watching it,
and I had to watch the remaining hour of it in two goes, to get through it..........

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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