Dominick and Eugene Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

A Heartfelt Tear Jerker with Terrific Performances - Review written on November 16, 2001
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
18 customers found this review helpful.

WOW. If you've never seen this movie, grab a hankie, or a box of them, and be prepared to be touched through your soul. Ray Liotta proves why he is one of our generation's best actors, while Tom Hulce impresses in a way he hasn't done since "Amadeus." I'm one of those folks who absolutely hated the heart string pulls of "Terms of Endearment" which I found manipulative in a not-so-good-way. This flick, in comparison, never works against the viewer, by making us choose a "bad guy" or be antagonistic towards the victim. Therein lies its beauty - this tale of two brothers refuses to victimize either one of them and is therefore startling in its effectiveness. Critics panned the flick during an era where grown men could not cry and get away with it. Today, the message is just as powerful, only men CAN cry without being labeled as anything less than men. This story of two men whose lives are eternally tied together despite their own challenges, hopes and dreams, is a valentine to brotherhood, fraternity and family. In these times of war, "Dominick and Eugene" reminds us what it means to be a family. A wonderful movie you will treasure forever. Just keep the hankies on hand since you're bound to use them.
Brotherly Love and a Great Story - Review written on November 03, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
14 customers found this review helpful.

This is a movie that will leave you changed. A story about two brothers, Dominick (Hulce) a slow-witted garbageman with a heart of gold who supports his Med School brother Eugene (Liotta). These superb actors draw you into their relationship so convincingly that you feel you're witnessing a real life drama instead of a movie. Eugene's love for Dominick is handled with dignity and sensitivity, as he constantly tries to balance his brother's needs with his own. There are so many nuances and revelations in this story that I fear that I can spoil it if I reveal too much of it. Suffice it to say, the purpose of my review is to whet the appetite of the reader without spoiling their dinner. This movie has a lot to say and does so brillantly. Both Hulce and Liotta should have been oscar winners for their performances in this film. Tom Hulce has to be one of the most underrated actors; his performance in "Amadeus" was also brilliant. In that film, he and F. Murray Abraham (best actor) should have both won as best actors. "Dominick and Eugene" is a film that deserves to be owned, it certainly will will get frequent viewings. Highly Recommended!
An Excellent Drama! - Review written on November 01, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

This 1988 gem features Ray Liotta (playing Eugene), as the easily angered brother of Dominick. A slow, child-like character played by Tom Hulce, in his greatest performance ever. Eugene struggles to care for Dominick and carry on a relationship with Jennifer (Jamie Lee Curtis). Although, her character is basically very shallow, and was most likely writen into the script to bring conflict between the two main characters, but over all this film is a classic and one of Robert M. Young's best. I am glad to see it's finally going to be available on DVD.
Guys, don't get the wrong idea about this movie... - Review written on October 12, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
8 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

At the time I'm writing this review this film has an average customer rating of 5 stars: perfect, in other words. Is it really that good? Yes, it is really that good. The DVD looks to be without extras of any sort, but it's not that kind of movie anyway.
It is also not a sappy, movie-of-the-week type melodrama, although it would be easy to get that impression. The writing is sharp and sometimes very funny. The cast is terrific, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Todd Graff in supporting parts and the wonderful David Strathairn in a small but key role. Tom Hulce is great as Nicky, but Eugene is in many ways the more difficult part and Ray Liotta is subtle, charismatic and sometimes a little scary as a man with a lot more on his mind than is immediately apparent...
Which brings me to my final point, that this is a subtle, even sneaky film, and it's almost impossible to tell you what's best about it without giving too much away. You could watch the first hour and only have a few hints of what it's really about, but then the film's real subject matter surfaces, suddenly and violently, leading to a climactic confrontation between the brothers which tests both of them and redefines their relationship forever.
And that's about all a spoiler-free review can say, except that this is exactly the kind of movie guys tend to avoid, and a movie every man should see.
Sweet, hard to watch, underrated... - Review written on October 10, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

The acting is superb. The story is relatively simple -- two brothers: one is a medical student, the other is a retarded man who works as a garbage collector to put his brother through medical school. Loving, affectionate, thoughtful, the movie show us how they relate through good times and bad, including an incredibly difficult-to-watch sequence that explains their most important secrets and motivations. With the ever-reliable and delightful Jamie Lee Curtis in a quiet supporting role as another medical student (and love interest for Liotta).

Lovely, understated movie that deserves a wider audience.

A great Movie - Review written on September 01, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

This movie is great. A fantastic story about a brain damaged sibling working as a trashman to earn money to put his brother through Med School. This is a much better story than Forrest Gump and it's also a much better film. I had seen this movie years before Gump came out and this is everything Gump wanted to be but couldn't be.

The commitment between these two brothers is a wonderful story and shows the depth of character that Hulce can play when portraying a dullard. (He is a much better actor than Tom Hanks). Do yourself a favor and buy or rent this flick, you won't be disappointed.

Kind, warm and entertaining - Review written on August 29, 2001
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I Recently watch this film and I was glad I did. Being a fan of Ray Liotta, this film, "Dominick & Eugene" brings out the good side of brotherly love (just kidding). The story is about two brothers, Dominick and Eugene; Dominick (Tom Hulce), also called "Nicky", is a mildly retarded garbageman who makes a good living out of it: in fact, he is the one one puts food on their table. His twin brother, Eugene (Ray Liotta), is a stubborn man, who wants to go to Med. school to become a doctor, so he can support Dominick and Himself. Dominick manages to be more sucessful in business than his brother by his personality; he likes going to wrestlemania, Loves "The Hulk" and his best friends are a sleazy, but friendly, garbageman and a young boy who is being beaten by his father, in which Dominick was too when he was young. Eugene's girlfriend (played by Jamie Leigh Curtis) makes attraction with both men, but doesn't really seem to be a big problem. More heartwarming plot happens, with a ending that will make you cry your heart out. Very good stuff.
Better than RAINMAN - Review written on August 10, 2000
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

A touching movie about male bonding, friendship, and letting go.

Tom Hulce's is just amazing in this movie! You just want to hug him. He became my favorite actor instantly. Mario Bautista, a local movie critic dubbed this movie as "like Rainman but even better..."

Well directed, an engaging script. Liotta and Curtis delivered fine performances.

Endearing without being maudlin - Review written on May 03, 2000
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 2 did not.

Lovely and endearing movie about two brothers, one a mildly retarded garbageman (Hulce) and the other an medical intern (Liotta) trying to get through life. Film makes its points subtly and with great care, and never steps wrong until the last scene or two, but is brilliant otherwise. Lee Curtis, as Liotta's girlfriend, is also splendid. They don't make 'em like this anymore, for a reason.
Engaging, endearing, entertaining, everything. - Review written on April 19, 2000
* * * *
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Tom Hulce is in fine form as Dominick, the mentally retarded brother of Eugene (Ray Liota). Eugene is struggling to become a doctor, while Dominick is struggling with life itself. Dominick dreams of going to Wrestlemania, his hero is The Hulk, and his best friends are a sleazy garbageman and a young boy. Eugene takes care of his brother at all costs, even stifling his love life with his girlfriend (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). It's a warm, touching, inspirational, and often funny look at the lives of these two brothers. Get out your hankies and watch it.
Tough choices made for love - Review written on September 06, 1999
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5

This film explores the kinds of choices faced when love of another requires a balancing of his needs and one's own. The characters are believable and balanced. Hulce's simple goodness is offset against Liotta's more informed and complicated attempt to make the right choices. The film underscores the idea that there is unique value in every person, no matter what his limitations might be. I found it uplifting and thought-provoking.
Tearful and emotionally powerful. - Review written on August 26, 1999
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

Few films can brilliantly display the sensitive love shared between two men, especially if they're siblings, and this film is a landmark in that department. I first saw this in December of 1994 and fell in love with it instantly. Parts of it remind me of my deep and heartfelt friendship with two of my best friends. Some scenes are so full of emotion you have to run for the nearest box of Kleenex. True brotherly love was never more greatly brought to life than the way it is in this film. It proves that it's okay for a man to cry and to have a loving relationship with someone you so greatly care about.
dominick and eugene is so cute! Heartwarming, tear-jerker! - Review written on April 18, 1999
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
I think that this movie was so adorable! It was sad and i thought that it was awesome!
The best movie i've ever seen!! - Review written on January 31, 1999
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
I think this movies the best movie in the world because it's a sad movie with the best actors and actress in it. If they had 10 stars thats what I would put for this movie.
Powerful story of two brothers - Review written on November 18, 1998
* * * * *
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
This film is a heartwarming story of true brotherhood and strong sibling relationships. I highly recommend this film.