Dead Heat is a 2002 crime comedy-drama film starring Kiefer Sutherland, Anthony LaPaglia and Radha Mitchell. It was written and directed by Mark Malone.
Contents
Plot
Situated in Boston, Albert Paul 'Pally' LaMarr (Kiefer Sutherland) is a 35 year old police officer who has recently suffered a heart attack while facing a bandit, forcing him into retirement. The loss of his career created a void that drove him into depression and left him contemplating suicide. His wife, Charlotte LaMarr (Radha Mitchell) calls Pally's half-brother Ray LaMarr (Anthony LaPaglia) to come and visit him with the intention of bringing his spirits up. Ray is a small time crook and he convinces Pally to finance a long-shot race horse. Unknowingly, Pally becomes in over his head as Ray's new found jockey Tony LaRoche (Lothaire Bluteau) is a gambling addict who is in debt with a Mob kingpin Frank Finnegan (Daniel Benzali). Ray and Pally become guilty by association and Tony's debt is now theirs. Pally finds himself mired in murder, mobsters and misfired romance. The stakes of their new horse panning out just increase substantially.
Cast
Kiefer Sutherland as Albert Paul "Pally" LaMarr, an ex-detective for the Boston Police
Anthony LaPaglia as Ray LaMarr, Pally's small-time crook brother
Radha Mitchell as Charlotte LaMarr, Pally's ex-wife
Lothaire Bluteau as Tony LaRoche, a jockey with a bad gambling habit
Daniel Benzali as Frank Finnegan, an Irish Mob boss in Boston
Kay Panabaker as Samantha "Sam" LaRoche, Tony's young daughter
Denis Arndt as Dr. Ivan Barnes
Alf Humphreys as Dr. Marchesi
Charles Martin Smith as Morty
Gary Hetherington as Captain
Michael Benyaer as Warehouse Worker #1
Craig Veroni as Warehouse Worker #2
Mark Acheson as Warehouse Worker #5
Frank Cassini as Manny
Peter Flemming as Ted
Gerald Paetz as Finnegan's Thug #1
Bruce Fontaine as Finnegan's Thug #2
Production
The film used locations in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. It was Sutherland's last production before his TV show, 24.
Awards and nominations
The film received two nominations in the DVD Exclusive Awards in 2003, one for Best Cinematography and for Kiefer Sutherland for Best Actor.