In Bullet Mickey Rourke not only stars, he also scripted the screenplay under the pseudonym "Sir Eddie Cook." Under this alias, Rourke also wrote
and starred in F.T.W. (a.k.a.: The Last Ride) and Homeboy. As a writer, Rourke takes on a personal approach with each of his characters. It's
evident when watching his characters, the similarities and differences between them. In Bullet, Rourke stars as Butch "Bullet" Stein, a Jewish junkie
from Brooklyn's mean streets who is paroled after doing eight years in prison. Outside waiting for Butch is best friend Lester (John Enos III) and his
adoring baby brother (Adrien Brody). They don't get far until the party-favors are passed around to the tune of Barry White. Within minutes he dives
straight back into his old habits, snorting coke and shooting heroine.
and starred in F.T.W. (a.k.a.: The Last Ride) and Homeboy. As a writer, Rourke takes on a personal approach with each of his characters. It's
evident when watching his characters, the similarities and differences between them. In Bullet, Rourke stars as Butch "Bullet" Stein, a Jewish junkie
from Brooklyn's mean streets who is paroled after doing eight years in prison. Outside waiting for Butch is best friend Lester (John Enos III) and his
adoring baby brother (Adrien Brody). They don't get far until the party-favors are passed around to the tune of Barry White. Within minutes he dives
straight back into his old habits, snorting coke and shooting heroine.
Butch then rips off a runner for local drug dealer, Tank (Tupac Shakur), who is enraged and already determined to get revenge on him for past
wrongs. His old enemy hires a hulking brute, Gates, to beat Butch in payback but when the confrontation occurs, Gates breaks his hand on the
battle-hardened body of Butch. Besides Lester, the only people in Butch's corner are his two brothers, the mentally-unhinged Vietnam War veteran
Louis (Ted Levine) and aspiring artist Ruby (Adrien Brody), neither of whom can be counted on to help him in the inevitable showdown.
wrongs. His old enemy hires a hulking brute, Gates, to beat Butch in payback but when the confrontation occurs, Gates breaks his hand on the
battle-hardened body of Butch. Besides Lester, the only people in Butch's corner are his two brothers, the mentally-unhinged Vietnam War veteran
Louis (Ted Levine) and aspiring artist Ruby (Adrien Brody), neither of whom can be counted on to help him in the inevitable showdown.
Butch then rips off a runner for local drug dealer, Tank (Tupac Shakur), who is enraged and already determined to get revenge on him for past
wrongs. His old enemy hires a hulking brute, Gates, to beat Butch in payback but when the confrontation occurs, Gates breaks his hand on the
battle-hardened body of Butch. Besides Lester, the only people in Butch's corner are his two brothers, the mentally-unhinged Vietnam War veteran
Louis (Ted Levine) and aspiring artist Ruby (Adrien Brody), neither of whom can be counted on to help him in the inevitable showdown.
wrongs. His old enemy hires a hulking brute, Gates, to beat Butch in payback but when the confrontation occurs, Gates breaks his hand on the
battle-hardened body of Butch. Besides Lester, the only people in Butch's corner are his two brothers, the mentally-unhinged Vietnam War veteran
Louis (Ted Levine) and aspiring artist Ruby (Adrien Brody), neither of whom can be counted on to help him in the inevitable showdown.
While filmed in 1994, Bullet wasn't released until shortly after the death of Tupac Shakur in 1996. Critics ridiculed efforts to bring to life this gritty
tale of living life in the means streets of Brooklyn and blamed its popularity solely on the fact that Tupac Shakur had a supporting role. Producer John
Flock Entertainment Weekly that the reason New Line Cinema dropped it back in 1994 was because, "...it may have been too hardcore." Sadly,
Bullet went straight to video.
tale of living life in the means streets of Brooklyn and blamed its popularity solely on the fact that Tupac Shakur had a supporting role. Producer John
Flock Entertainment Weekly that the reason New Line Cinema dropped it back in 1994 was because, "...it may have been too hardcore." Sadly,
Bullet went straight to video.
Professional Critical Acclaim: Yahoo! Movies' Main Page
In this gangland action thriller, a pair of urban underworld thugs struggle to come to terms with an intense grudge, violent rivalry and
mutual respect for one another.
In this gangland action thriller, a pair of urban underworld thugs struggle to come to terms with an intense grudge, violent rivalry and
mutual respect for one another.
Karl Williams-All Movie Guide:
.. not that the rest of the Stein family are adjusted cosmopolitans. The tense crime thriller explores into mental illness, addiction and a
character study of family in freefall.
.. not that the rest of the Stein family are adjusted cosmopolitans. The tense crime thriller explores into mental illness, addiction and a
character study of family in freefall.
Howard Simms (freelance/syndicated film reviewer):
Bullet spends time dwelling on everything that's wrong with the part of the world most of us usually choose to ignore. It's a real eye-opener,
very real.. a fabulous disaster
Bullet spends time dwelling on everything that's wrong with the part of the world most of us usually choose to ignore. It's a real eye-opener,
very real.. a fabulous disaster
Bullet is a movie about street life, and how its consequences can affect a loving family. The movie is loosely based on the real life
happenings of screenwriter Bruce Rubenstein, which may be why Bullet has a look and feel both so real and cruel at the same time and
place. Very Profound!
happenings of screenwriter Bruce Rubenstein, which may be why Bullet has a look and feel both so real and cruel at the same time and
place. Very Profound!
Underground .. Underfoot:
This urban thriller tells the tale of two street foes (Rourke and Tupac Shakur), who despise and respect each other mutually. Rourke plays
his role effortlessly, one can sense there's as much as of Mickey Rourke (the man) than Mickey Rourke (the actor) in his portrayal of
"Butch" at the time.
This urban thriller tells the tale of two street foes (Rourke and Tupac Shakur), who despise and respect each other mutually. Rourke plays
his role effortlessly, one can sense there's as much as of Mickey Rourke (the man) than Mickey Rourke (the actor) in his portrayal of
"Butch" at the time.
Bullet is a film that wallows in the hopelessness of the streets. It rejects the American Dream as just that, a dream. And while a downer
such as this might have been a welcome change from the monotony of the feel-good flicks that clog the theatre and line the shelves of the
video store.
such as this might have been a welcome change from the monotony of the feel-good flicks that clog the theatre and line the shelves of the
video store.
Kathleen C. Fennessy.
The Times
Mickey Rourke is Butch "Bullet" Stein and the late Tupac Shakur is Tank in this stylish, Julien Temple crime drama. The violent, yet
sensitive tale of an ex-con (Rourke) attempting to adjust to life on the outside. The minute Bullet emerges from the pen, however, the blood
and profanity begin to flow just as freely as the references to Dali and Picasso.. His drug problem is bad, but the biggest threat comes from
the eye-patched Tank, who intends revenge. Ted Levine and Adrien Brody are outstanding as Bullet's eccentric brothers.
The Times
Mickey Rourke is Butch "Bullet" Stein and the late Tupac Shakur is Tank in this stylish, Julien Temple crime drama. The violent, yet
sensitive tale of an ex-con (Rourke) attempting to adjust to life on the outside. The minute Bullet emerges from the pen, however, the blood
and profanity begin to flow just as freely as the references to Dali and Picasso.. His drug problem is bad, but the biggest threat comes from
the eye-patched Tank, who intends revenge. Ted Levine and Adrien Brody are outstanding as Bullet's eccentric brothers.
DVD Reviewers:
His father had big dreams for Butch was set to become the ultimate of American dream's “becoming a baseball star. The scholarships were
lined up, daddy was proud. The streets got to him. His potential was wasted. Just hours out of jail, Bullet is in trouble, ripping off a lackey
dealer to send a message to Tank, new top dog on his corner experience a guilty pleasure! .
His father had big dreams for Butch was set to become the ultimate of American dream's “becoming a baseball star. The scholarships were
lined up, daddy was proud. The streets got to him. His potential was wasted. Just hours out of jail, Bullet is in trouble, ripping off a lackey
dealer to send a message to Tank, new top dog on his corner experience a guilty pleasure! .
Through the eyes and words of Rourke Fans Peegeedee3 (Forum Member/Columnist) Pamela:
"Sometimes I wonder how many people who watch these movies, (gritty street, criminal activity types), know what they are seeing? Being
black, and growing up in the 60s and 70s, this was everyday life. People did act like this. Don't you know how precisely Mickey Rourke
portrayed an ex-con? Especially one tired of the life?"
"Sometimes I wonder how many people who watch these movies, (gritty street, criminal activity types), know what they are seeing? Being
black, and growing up in the 60s and 70s, this was everyday life. People did act like this. Don't you know how precisely Mickey Rourke
portrayed an ex-con? Especially one tired of the life?"
A UK Fan:
"This is one of Rourke's greatest roles. Bullet, superbly directed and acted out with a profundity which we rarely witness in movies of this
genre. With utter injustice, it was released directly to video. It features the day-to-day reality which does not conform to society and its laws
as well as the teachings of theologians or those professed by pedagogues in high schools and universities."
"This is one of Rourke's greatest roles. Bullet, superbly directed and acted out with a profundity which we rarely witness in movies of this
genre. With utter injustice, it was released directly to video. It features the day-to-day reality which does not conform to society and its laws
as well as the teachings of theologians or those professed by pedagogues in high schools and universities."
Phibes01200:
"Not long ago I saw "Sin City", and I was crazy about Mickey Rourke's character Marv. This character was actually a comic book monster
(with a heart). Since I loved Marv so much I've sought out other Rourke films. This one is just another one of his best rolls. Sadly, this film
never played theatrically. What a shame. Good drama deserves its audience."
"Not long ago I saw "Sin City", and I was crazy about Mickey Rourke's character Marv. This character was actually a comic book monster
(with a heart). Since I loved Marv so much I've sought out other Rourke films. This one is just another one of his best rolls. Sadly, this film
never played theatrically. What a shame. Good drama deserves its audience."
A NYC Fan :
Bullet goes in-depth about Butch "Bullet" Stein (Rourke), his family and just how wicked the streets really are when worlds collide. Tupac
Shakur as Tank, Bullet's long time rival, gives a tight performance. Ted Levine and Adrien Brody deliver outstanding work as Butch'
brothers.
Bullet goes in-depth about Butch "Bullet" Stein (Rourke), his family and just how wicked the streets really are when worlds collide. Tupac
Shakur as Tank, Bullet's long time rival, gives a tight performance. Ted Levine and Adrien Brody deliver outstanding work as Butch'
brothers.
Amazon.uk-Anonymous Reviewer:
Front man Mickey Rourke plays the title character in this Julien Temple film. Along with Adrien Brody, Ted Levine, Tupac Shakur and John
Enos III, also features Donny Wahlberg, Ray"Boom Boom" Mancini and Rourke's younger brother Joe (credited as "Joseph A. Rourke") in
cameo roles. Suzanne Shepherd and Jerry Grayson also play the parents of the three troubled Stein brothers. Butch (Rourke), Louis (Ted
Levine) and Ruby (Brody). Slide in"Barry White"(groovin' as always) and what do you have? A damn good film!.. that's what! "Bullet" is an
essential for all fans of Mickey Rourke, new and old!
Front man Mickey Rourke plays the title character in this Julien Temple film. Along with Adrien Brody, Ted Levine, Tupac Shakur and John
Enos III, also features Donny Wahlberg, Ray"Boom Boom" Mancini and Rourke's younger brother Joe (credited as "Joseph A. Rourke") in
cameo roles. Suzanne Shepherd and Jerry Grayson also play the parents of the three troubled Stein brothers. Butch (Rourke), Louis (Ted
Levine) and Ruby (Brody). Slide in"Barry White"(groovin' as always) and what do you have? A damn good film!.. that's what! "Bullet" is an
essential for all fans of Mickey Rourke, new and old!
(Plot summary and user comments taken from IMDb pro)
(Other resources: Entertainment Weekly; September 27, 1996)
This character synopsis was put together by Kathy Thompson feedback is greatly appreciated.
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