

In a sleepy bedroom community of LA's San Fernando Valley, the murder of a professional athlete by two hit men sets into motion a chain of events that puts the mundane lives of a dozen residents on a collision course. This clever tale tells the story of two hit men, a mistress, a nurse, a vindictive ex-wife, a wealthy art dealer and his lovelorn assistant, a suicidal writer and his dog, and a bitter cop and his partner.
Acting
Danny Aiello's exhausted hitman and Theron's scene-stealing turn.
Writing
Tarantino-riffing dialogue that actually lands most punches.
Editing
Crisp cross-cutting keeps ten plots from collapsing.

Director
John Herzfeld
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Charlize Theron was discovered when a casting agent saw her screaming at a bank teller—Herzfeld cast her without an audition based on that energy.
This was part of a brief 1996 wave of Tarantino-influenced ensemble crime comedies that also included '2 Days in the Valley' trying to prove the suburbs were as dangerous as Reservoir Dogs' warehouse.
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