Dominick and Eugene [Nicky and Gino] **** (1988, Tom Hulce, Ray Liotta, Jamie Lee Curtis) – Classic Movie Review 7888

Director Robert M Young’s unforgettable 1988 Dominick and Eugene [Nicky and Gino] stars Tom Hulce and Ray Liotta as twin brothers Dominick and Eugene Luciano, one a dustman, brain-damaged in childhood, the other a promising doctor.

Into their happy relationship comes beautiful Jennifer Reston (Jamie Lee Curtis), who likes dustman Nicky but dislikes his hold over his brother Gino.

This is a lovely three-handkerchief movie, affectingly written by Alvin Sargent (Oscar-winner for Julia and Ordinary People) and Corey Blechman, based on a story by Danny Porfirio, and beautifully played by the adorable cast, especially by Hulce, who was Golden Globe nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture.

It won friends and influenced people – but not enough, taking only $3 million in the US, and adding to ambitious Orion Pictures’s financial woes.

Also in the cast are Todd Graff, Bill Cobbs, David Strathairn, Mimi Cecchini, Robert Levine, Daniel Krell, Raymond Laine, Joe Maruzzo, John Naples Jr, R Scott Peck, Tommy Snelsire and Thomas Rocco.

Dominick and Eugene [Nicky and Gino] is directed by Robert M Young, runs 111 minutes, is made by Orion Pictures, is released by Rank (UK), is written by Alvin Sargent and Corey Blechman, based on a story by Danny Porfirio, is shot by Curtis Clark, is produced by Marvin Minoff and Mike Farrell, is scored by Trevor Jones, and is designed by Doug Kraner.

Tom Hulce turned 65 on 6 December 2018. In 2008 he said: ‘I’m comfortable being among the lists [of gay actors] although I stopped acting about 10 years ago.’ By 2018, his Mr Bowker in 2008’s Jumper is his most recent film role.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7888

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