Knockaround Guys Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Mobster’s son and his buddies lose a bag of money in Montana, then fight a corrupt sheriff, proving that crime doesn’t pay… unless you’re the sheriff.

🍿 Knockaround Guys: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Matty’s Dilemma and a Risky Proposition

Matty Demaret, son of mob boss Benny ‘Chains’ Demaret, struggles to find legitimate work due to his family’s reputation. Frustrated, he seeks his father’s approval and a chance to prove himself in the family business. His uncle, Teddy Deserve, convinces Benny to give Matty a seemingly simple task: retrieve a bag of money from Spokane.

Montana Mishap

Matty enlists his friend Johnny Marbles, a pilot, to pick up the money. However, a refueling stop in a small Montana town goes awry when Marbles panics due to the presence of corrupt sheriff Decker and loses the bag. Realizing the dire consequences of his mistake, Matty calls on his other friends, Taylor Reese and Chris Scarpa, for help.

Confrontation and Betrayal

The group arrives in Montana and begins their search for the missing money, encountering resistance from the local authorities and uncovering layers of corruption. As they close in on the money, a series of betrayals and double-crosses leads to a violent confrontation. Teddy Deserve arrives to take control of the situation, revealing his own agenda.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Matty Demaret (Barry Pepper): The son of a mob boss, struggling to prove himself and escape his family’s criminal legacy.
• Taylor Reese (Vin Diesel): Matty’s loyal and tough best friend, who provides both muscle and moral support.
• Johnny Marbles (Seth Green): A pilot and friend of Matty, whose mistake sets off the chain of events in Montana.
• Benny Chains (Dennis Hopper): Matty’s powerful mob boss father, whose expectations weigh heavily on his son.
• Teddy Deserve (John Malkovich): Benny’s calculating brother and right-hand man, who manipulates Matty and others for his own gain.
• Sheriff Decker (Tom Noonan): The corrupt sheriff of a small Montana town, who steals the money and becomes the antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Taylor Reese: “500 fights, that’s the number I figured when I was a kid. 500 street fights and you could consider yourself a legitimate tough guy.” – Taylor explains his personal philosophy and how he became a tough guy, revealing a deeper side to his character.
• Taylor Reese: “You need them for experience. To develop leather skin. So I got started. Of course along the way you stop thinking about being tough and all that. It stops being the point. You get past the silliness of it all. But then, after, you realize that’s what you are.” – He elaborates on the journey of becoming a tough guy, highlighting the realization of what he has become.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,715,637
• Worldwide Gross: $12,806,614

💥 Knockaround Guys Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Knockaround Guys’ expecting a typical Vin Diesel action movie, but was pleasantly surprised by the character-driven story. Barry Pepper delivers a strong performance as Matty, and the supporting cast adds depth. I enjoyed the plot twists, and the ending left me feeling satisfied. It’s a solid crime drama that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story with memorable characters.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime dramas and gangster films”
  • “Viewers interested in ensemble casts and character-driven stories”
  • “Vin Diesel fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence and gore”
  • “Profanity and coarse language”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “While not a cinematic masterpiece, ‘Knockaround Guys’ is a surprisingly watchable crime flick. The strong cast, particularly Pepper and Diesel, elevates a fairly standard plot about retrieving stolen money. Expect some dark humor and a few twists.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a talented cast that includes Vin Diesel and John Malkovich, ‘Knockaround Guys’ is a run-of-the-mill crime thriller with a predictable plot and uninspired dialogue. The film’s attempts at dark humor fall flat, resulting in a forgettable viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.: Viewers loved the strong performances from the cast, especially Barry Pepper and Vin Diesel, who added depth to their characters.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie, it’s a hidden gem!: Many found the dark humor and moments of character depth to be standout features, making it more than just a standard crime film.

Overall Consensus: ‘Knockaround Guys’ receives mixed reviews, with praise for the cast’s performances but criticism for its predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “An alternate ending was shot after test audiences disliked the original one.”
• “The film sat on the shelf for two years after it was completed before being released.”
• “Vin Diesel reportedly put his cigarette out in Seth Green’s coffee before filming a scene where Green’s character drinks it, causing Green to wince.”

🖥️ How to Watch Knockaround Guys?

Knockaround Guys is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) may also be available through online retailers like Amazon or at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Knockaround Guys, you might like these similar films:

• Boondock Saints (1999): Features vigilante justice and a similar blend of crime and dark humor, appealing to fans of character-driven action.
• Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995): Involves a group of criminals dealing with the fallout of a botched job and features a similar ensemble cast dynamic.
• Reservoir Dogs (1992): Features a crime gone wrong and the resulting tension and betrayal among the involved parties.

🛒 Knockaround Guys Related Products

• Knockaround Guys [Blu-ray]: Upgrade your viewing experience with the Blu-ray edition, featuring enhanced visuals and audio for a richer cinematic feel. A must-have for collectors.
• Vin Diesel: The Chronicles of Riddick – Escape from Butcher Bay: Experience Vin Diesel’s gravelly voice in one of the best games based on a Diesel movie! Combining stealth, action, and puzzle-solving elements, fans have called it one of the best movie tie in games of all time!
• The Sopranos: The Complete Series [DVD]: If you enjoyed the mafia themes in ‘Knockaround Guys’, dive into the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘The Sopranos’ for a deeper exploration of organized crime. Explore the psychology of mob life.
• Goodfellas [Blu-ray]: Martin Scorsese’s gangster masterpiece is the epitome of what it takes to be in a Mafia lifestyle. One of the most popular mafia movies of all time, experience the Goodfellas lifestyle in glorious 4K!

🎧 Soundtrack

Knockaround Guys features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – performed by Marvin Gaye
• “Romeo’s Tune” – performed by Steve Forbert

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Vin Diesel beat up a tough guy in a bar in the movie Knockaround Guys (2001)

Ever wonder what Vin Diesel was like before *Fast and Furious*? Check out this intense bar fight scene from *Knockaround Guys* – it’s a brutal reminder of his action roots!

Matty Wants In – Knockaround Guys

This scene perfectly encapsulates Matty’s struggle for acceptance and purpose! The video provides a great insight on the themes within the movie.

Make A Deal With The City

This music video really brings out the emotions from the end of the movie. The creator did a wonderful job creating this clip, it’s definetly worth checking out.

✨ Rate