The Naked Man (1998)

The Naked Man Poster

A man takes matters into his own hands when a pharmaceutical kingpin moves into his town to cause some real trouble.

Plot Summary:
"The Naked Man" (1998) is a comedy-drama film directed by J. Todd Anderson, known for his storyboarding operate in Coen Brothers movies, and composed by Anderson and Ethan Coen. The film starred Michael Rapaport ahead function.

Character Analysis:
The protagonist, Dr. Edward Blis, Jr., is a professional chiropractic physician, and part-time wrestler, whose character is called "The Naked Man". In a tragic turn of events, Edward's moms and dads are murdered by a hit-man, Sticks Varona (played by Joe Mantegna), set on getting an important drug developed by his dad.

Secret Events and Climax:
Dr. Edward is devastated and seeks to find his parents' murderers. Sadly, on his objective for justice, he is shot in the leg by the ruthless gangster and Edward, in a fit of spontaneity, eliminates his foe with a pen filled with the hazardous drug. This occasion causes Edward being apprehended by the police.

While sent to prison, he finds out about the effectiveness of the drug, developed by his daddy, which provides people improved strength and cruelty. He injects a dosage of the drug into himself and becomes uncontrollably aggressive. This helps him to leave from jail, only to discover that his better half, Kim Bliss (played by Justine Bateman), is now included with his better half's ex-husband, Harvey "Binky" Kravitz (played by John Carroll Lynch), the local pharmacist.

Resolution:
Edward looks for sanctuary at a circus, where the owner, Ferris (played by Tracy Walter), takes him in. At the circus, he satisfies a considerate little individual named Stumpy and a blind high-dive artist named Roger, who assist increase his confidence. Edward goes back to his wrestling persona "The Naked Man" and chooses to challenge his wife Kim and her brand-new fan, while attempting to forgive and fix up with them.

Themes:
"The Naked Man" explores themes such as vengeance, loss, sorrow, forgiveness, and personal growth, wrapped up in a gritty, black funny setting. The fumbling theme extends as a metaphor for the battles one deals with in life, strengthening the theme of dispute against life's barriers.

Conclusion:
Overall, "The Naked Man" is an eccentric, unusual comedy-drama, filled with strange circumstances and funny characters. It's remembered for its special storytelling and eccentric plot twists. The diverse cast delivers strong performances, particularly Michael Rapaport, whose representation of the distraught chiropractor-turned wrestler seeking justice supplies a mixture of humor and pathos. The absurdity of the scenarios combined with the stark brutality of the characters makes for an unanticipated contrast throughout the film.

Top Cast

  • Michael Rapaport (small)
    Michael Rapaport
    Edward Bliss Jr.
  • Michael Jeter (small)
    Michael Jeter
    Sticks Varona
  • Rachael Leigh Cook (small)
    Rachael Leigh Cook
    Deloris
  • Arija Bareikis (small)
    Arija Bareikis
    Kim Bliss
  • John Carroll Lynch (small)
    John Carroll Lynch
    Stick's Driver
  • John Slattery (small)
    John Slattery
    Burns
  • Martin Ferrero (small)
    Martin Ferrero
    Sammy
  • Joe Grifasi (small)
    Joe Grifasi
    Koski
  • Peter Thoemke
    Ed Bliss, Sr.
  • Katherine Disque (small)
    Katherine Disque
    The Adjusted Woman
  • Jimmy Noonan (small)
    Jimmy Noonan
    Forklift Thug