Things Change

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For the song by Dwight Yoakam, see Things Change (Dwight Yoakam song).

Things Change
DVD cover
Directed by	David Mamet
Produced by	Michael Hausman
Written by	David Mamet Shel Silverstein
Starring	Joe Mantegna Don Ameche Robert Prosky Mike Nussbaum Ricky Jay
Music by	Alaric Jans
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release dates	October 21, 1988
Running time	100 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Things Change is a 1988 comedy and drama film directed by David Mamet. It was co-written by Mamet and Shel Silverstein, and stars Joe Mantegna and Don Ameche.

Plot

Gino, a humble shoe-shiner in Chicago, is approached by a Mafia don who offers him a large sum of money to take the rap for a murder committed by another gangster. Gino agrees, planning to buy a fishing boat with the money he will earn after a three-year sentence.

While preparing for his court confession, Gino is watched over by Jerry, a bottom-rung gangster who has recently gotten into trouble for failing to follow orders. During a short and boring stay at a local hotel, Jerry decides to give Gino one last weekend to remember in Lake Tahoe before he goes to prison.

After arriving at the resort and casino, Jerry's tall tales and Gino's quiet dignity quickly get Gino mistaken for a wealthy and powerful mafioso, leading to complications for both men. He is summoned to the Nevada home of crime boss Vincenzo, where a frantic Jerry is certain that his ruse will lead to grave consequences. Vincenzo takes a liking to Gino, however, and the two elderly men bond.

Narrowly escaping after the Chicago don turns up at Vincenzo's home, a relieved Jerry manages to get Gino back to Chicago safely. On the day Gino is to confess in court, however, Jerry discovers that his superiors were merely stalling for time. Gino is to be killed, and Jerry is to be the one who does the killing.

Film connections

Things Change was Mamet's directorial follow-up to House of Games and also takes place in the world of crime. The two films share many cast members, including Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay, Mike Nussbaum, William H. Macy, and J. T. Walsh, as well as many production staff members.

Awards

Co-stars Mantegna and Ameche received Volpi Cups at the Venice Film Festival for their performances in the film.

Cast

Don Ameche as Gino
Joe Mantegna as Jerry
Robert Prosky as Joseph Vincenzo
Ricky Jay as Silver
Mike Nussbaum as Green
J. J. Johnston as Frankie
William H. Macy as Billy (credited as W.H. Macy)
Felicity Huffman as Wheel of Fortune girl

Release and reception

Things Change was released on October 21, 1988 in 99 U.S. theaters, grossing US$3.5 million.^[1] The film carries an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 6.9/10.^[2]

References

↑ "Box office information for Things Change". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
↑ "Reviews for Things Change". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved June 29, 2011.

External links

Things Change at the Internet Movie Database
Things Change at allmovie

v t e Films directed by David Mamet

1980s	House of Games (1987) Things Change (1988)

1990s	Homicide (1991) Oleanna (1994) The Spanish Prisoner (1997) The Winslow Boy (1999)

2000s	State and Main (2000) Heist (2001) Spartan (2004) Redbelt (2008)

2010s	Phil Spector (2013)

v t e Shel Silverstein

Books	Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back The Giving Tree Don't Bump the Glump!: and Other Fantasies The Missing Piece Runny Babbit

Poem collections	Where the Sidewalk Ends A Light in the Attic Falling Up Every Thing On It

Albums	Freakin' at the Freakers Ball Twistable Turnable Man

Songs	"25 Minutes to Go" "The Mermaid" "The Unicorn" "A Boy Named Sue" "One's on the Way" "Sylvia's Mother" "The Cover of Rolling Stone" "Marie Laveau" "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan"

Film soundtracks	Ned Kelly (1970) Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971)

Screenplays	Things Change (1988)

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