Repo Man (1984)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Alex Cox

Writer:

Alex Cox (written by)

Release Date:

2 March 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A repo man is always intense... but only a fool gets killed for a car.

Plot:

Young punk Otto becomes a repo man after helping to steal a car, and stumbles into a world of wackiness as a result.

Plot Keywords:

Repossession | Punk | UFO | Police | Televangelist

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Harry Dean Stanton	...	Bud
Emilio Estevez	...	Otto
Tracey Walter	...	Miller
Olivia Barash	...	Leila
Sy Richardson	...	Lite
Susan Barnes	...	Agent Rogersz
Fox Harris	...	J. Frank Parnell
Tom Finnegan	...	Oly
Del Zamora	...	Lagarto
Eddie Velez	...	Napo
Zander Schloss	...	Kevin
Jennifer Balgobin	...	Debbi
Dick Rude	...	Duke
Miguel Sandoval	...	Archie (as Michael Sandoval)
Vonetta McGee	...	Marlene

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:R | USA:R (Approved No. 27271) | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Australia:R (video rating) | Finland:K-15 (re-rating) (2003) | Finland:K-18 (original rating) | UK:18 | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Edge City

Trivia:

Otto's co-worker (Kevin) at the supermarket sings the jingle for 7-Up just before Mr. Humphries fires them. Later at Mr. Humphries' house, Kevin can be seen in the background, adjusting a TV set that's playing a 7-Up commercial.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the scene driving over the bridge in the repossessed red Corvette, Lite lights his cigarette twice.

Quotes:

Bud: A repo man spends his life getting into tense situations.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Futurama: Bender Should Not Be Allowed on TV (#5.15)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Happy Animals

80s cult film

The plot is impossible to describe but, basically, it's about a 20 something named Otto (Estevez) who works as a repo man. That's about it...the movie chronicles all his bizarre adventures and strange people he meets.

I saw this when I was in college in 1984--it totally blew me away. I went back to see it 4 more times! It had a huge following on college campuses back then. Sadly, it seems to have disappeared. That's a shame because I think this is perfect for high school, college kids and people with open minds. It is a true cult film.

There are many great lines--too many to get in one viewing--this film demands multiple viewings. The actors deal well with the offbeat dialogue and situations--especially Estevez and Stanton. As for what it means---who cares? Every time I saw it I saw something different in it.

A classic. Do not miss!