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Sleepers (1996)

R  |   |  Crime, Drama, Thriller  |  18 October 1996 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 146,312 users   Metascore: 49/100
Reviews: 248 user | 68 critic | 18 from Metacritic.com

After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized; over 10 years later, they get their chance for revenge.

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Title: Sleepers (1996)

Sleepers (1996) on IMDb 7.5/10

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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Storyline

Four boys growing up in Hell's Kitchen play a prank that leads to an old man getting hurt. Sentenced to no less than one year in the Wilkenson Center in upstate New York, the four friends are changed by the beating, humiliation and sexual abuse by the guards sworn to protect them. Thirteen years later and a chance meeting lead to a chance for revenge against the Wilkenson Center and the guards. Written by Albert@SaveKoalas.com

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Four friends made a mistake that changed their lives forever. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, graphic violence and two scenes of strong sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

18 October 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Los hijos de la calle  »

Box Office

Budget:

$44,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,305,745 (USA) (18 October 1996)

Gross:

$53,300,852 (USA) (24 January 1997)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming both Brad Renfro and Joe Perrino wore colored contact lenses so they would have the same colored eyes as Brad Pitt and Jason Patric who played the characters as adults. See more »

Goofs

During the lunchroom scene at the Home for Boys, Nokes breaks up the fight, and the boys stand in front of him waiting for orders. During this scene, Michael's hand repeatedly jumps from his nose to his hip. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Lorenzo: This is a true story about friendship that runs deeper than blood. This is my story and that of the only three friends in my life that truely mattered. Two of them were killers who never made it past the age of 30. The other's a non-practicing attorney living with the pain of his past - too afraid to let it go, never confronting its horror. I'm the only one who can speak for them, and the children we were.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Bill Pullman/New Edition (1996) See more »

Soundtracks

All Alone
Performed by Doris Day
Written by Irving Berlin
Courtesy of Arwin Productions
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Simply Brilliant
22 November 2005 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

I've watched this film so many times and it never fails to break my heart. I wasn't expecting it to be so deep and emotional but the story is told in such a way that you can really feel the fear and other feelings that the characters are experiencing.

Of course I think the cast was fantastically chosen, I especially give praise to Kevin Bacon, Jason Patric, Joe Perrino and Dustin Hoffman for their great acting. I believe no other actors could have made the film as heart stopping as they did.

I've asked my friends about this film and was surprised to hear that not many have seen it. Is this because more action-packed or fast-paced/ comedy movies are more popular? Who knows.

All I can say is, this film is quite special because without having action-packed scenes and surprises round every corner, it still keeps me glued to the seat.

The last thing I just HAVE to mention is that this movie introduced me to Ron Eldard who is a sensational actor.

All in all.... truly heartbreaking film, might almost even make you cry. Nothing shows friendship lasts forever, more than the events the characters have to endure in this film.

I definitely recommend for older kids. If you're always watching the same kind of films, this one is sure to open your eyes to a whole new side of film making.

Woooo Woooooo!!!


27 of 36 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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