''The Last Producer'' is a 2000 American

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by and starring Burt Reynolds. It also featured

Sean Astin Sean Patrick Astin (né Duke; February 25, 1971) is an American actor. His acting roles include Samwise Gamgee in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy (2001–2003), Mikey Walsh in ''The Goonies'' (1985), Daniel Ruettiger in '' Rudy'' (1993), Dou ...

Ann-Margret Ann-Margret Olsson (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish–American actress, singer, and dancer. As an actress and singer, she is credited as Ann-Margret. She is known for her roles in '' Pocketful of Miracles'' (1961), ''State Fair'' (1962), '' ...

Lauren Holly Lauren Holly (born October 28, 1963) is an American actress. She has played the roles of Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the television series ''Picket Fences'', NCIS Director Jenny Shepard in the series '' NCIS'', Dr. Betty Rogers on '' Motiv ...

, Rod Steiger, and

Benjamin Bratt Benjamin Bratt (born December 16, 1963) is an American actor and producer who has worked in film and on television. He had supporting roles in the 1990s in such box office hits as ''Demolition Man'' (1993), ''Clear and Present Danger'' (1994), ...

. It was also referred to as ''The Final Hit'' in final packaging and promotional materials. It is the final film to be directed by Reynolds before his death in 2018.

Plot

Sonny Wexler is an aging, washed-up, veteran film producer with a pill-popping wife. In his heyday, Sonny produced an Oscar nominated movie, but now he finds he's a "has been" in a Hollywood that's been taken over by a younger generation, personified by studio executive Damon Black and foreign investors. Knowing that he is soon going to die or be forgotten, he decides to wager all his strength in one last movie, something for which he can be remembered. His chance comes in the form of a brilliant screenplay optioned from a promising young writer. But when Black undercuts the deal and eases Sonny out, Sonny has seventy-two hours to come up with enough money to purchase the script for himself. In desperation, he turns to the mafia to borrow the $50,000 he needs.

Cast

* Burt Reynolds as Sonny Wexler * Rod Steiger as Sheri Ganse *

as Damon Black *

as Mira Verder *

as Frances Chadway *

as Bo Pomerantz * Kim Chase as Teddy *

Charles Durning Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 – December 24, 2012) was an American actor who appeared in over 200 movies, television shows and plays.Schudel, Matt (December 26, 2012) "''In real life and on the screen, he played countless role ...

as Syd Wolf * Robert Goulet as Henry Moore *

Erin Gray Erin Gray (born January 7, 1950) is an American model, casting agent, and actress whose roles include Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series '' Buck Rogers in the 25th Century'' and Kate Summers-Stratton in the situat ...

as Dee Freeman * E. J. Peaker as Rosie *

Robert Costanzo Robert Jason Costanzo (born October 20, 1942) is an American film, television and voice actor. He has an acting career spanning over 40 years and is often found playing surly New York City types such as crooks, low-level workers and policemen, a ...

as Moogian * Arthur Darbinyan as Nidal * Charles Lanyer as Biderman *

Greg Germann Gregory Andrew Germann ( ; born February 26, 1958) is an American actor who is known for playing Richard Fish on the television series '' Ally McBeal'', which earned him a Screen Actors Guild award. He also is known for his roles as Eric "Rico" ...

as Ruben Tallridge *

Marnie McPhail Marnie McPhail Diamond is an American actress and musician who is well known for playing Maria Wong in '' Braceface'', Annie Edison in ''The Edison Twins'', and Peaches in ''JoJo's Circus''. Personal life McPhail was born and raised in Columbu ...

as Julia Tallridge *

Paul McCrane Paul David McCrane (born January 19, 1961) is an American film, television and theatre actor, as well as a television director and singer. He is known for his portrayal of Montgomery MacNeil in the 1980 film '' Fame'', Frank Berry in the 1984 fil ...

as Austin Green * Marvin J. McIntyre as Manny *

Ed O'Ross Ed O'Ross (born Edward Orss; July 5, 1949) is an American actor. Some of his prominent roles are as Itchy in '' Dick Tracy'', Colonel Perry in '' Universal Soldier'', Lt. Touchdown in '' Full Metal Jacket'', ruthless Georgian mobster Viktor Ros ...

as Sarky * Cynthia Palmer as Maude Chasen * Jeannette Papineau as Niki *

Angie Dickinson Angeline Dickinson (née Brown; born September 30, 1931) is an American actress. She began her career on television, appearing in many anthology series during the 1950s, before gaining her breakthrough role in ''Gun the Man Down'' (1956) wit ...

as Poker Player * Tony Denison as Poker Player (credited as Anthony John Denison) *

James Farentino James Farentino (February 24, 1938 – January 24, 2012) was an American actor. He appeared in nearly 100 television, film, and stage roles, among them '' The Final Countdown'', ''Jesus of Nazareth'', and '' Dynasty''. Career Born in Brooklyn, N ...

as Poker Player * Alex Rocco as Poker Player * Shelley Berman as Poker Player *

Shecky Greene Shecky Greene (born Fred Sheldon Greenfield; April 8, 1926) is an American comedian. He is known for his nightclub performances in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he became a headliner in the 1950s and '60s. He has appeared in several films, including ' ...

as Poker Player (credited as Shecky Green) * Heidi Kaufman as Dancer * Kimberly Pullis as Cocktail Waitress *

Joe Mantegna Joseph Anthony Mantegna (, ; born November 13, 1947) is an American actor. Mantegna began his career on stage in 1969 in the Chicago production of the musical ''Hair''. He earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and a Joseph Jeff ...

as Extra (uncredited)

Production

The film was financed by the Kushner Locke Company. Filming started May 1999.PALTROW AND AFFLECK MAY REUNITE - IN FILM FOR MIRAMAX, THAT IS: Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith. Daily News 7 May 1999: L6.

Home media

The film was released on home video in Iceland and Argentina in 2000 before airing on television in the U.S. in 2001. It was later re-titled ''The Last Hit'' for its U.S. home video release.

References

External links

* *
Review of film
at ''Variety'' 2000 films 2000 drama films American drama films Films about filmmaking Films directed by Burt Reynolds Films set in Los Angeles 2001 drama films 2001 films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films {{2000s-drama-film-stub