Flesh and Bone

Play trailer

Flesh and Bone

R,

1993,

2h 4m,

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

76%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Haunted by memories of his father murdering a family, Arlis Sweeney (Dennis Quaid) prefers to keep to himself, focusing his energy on his work. One day, the traumatic past that eats away at him returns when he meets Kay Davies (Meg Ryan), a woman connected to the bloody event. Against all odds, Arlis and Kay fall in love. However, when his father, Roy (James Caan), reappears in his life -- with the coldhearted Ginnie (Gwyneth Paltrow) in tow -- Arlis must deal with his past demons.

Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Sep 13, 2021

Although the plot comes to rely on a particularly outlandish series of coincidences, it's a credit to Kloves's skill that you can almost put this out of your mind...

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

The film is depressing for some of the right reasons, and all of the wrong ones.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Feb 28, 2024

4/5

…catches some top talents at various stages in their careers… something of a treat for fans of good acting…

Go to Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Nov 27, 2023

3/5

Four great characters. Four strong turns. The film takes them exactly where you expect, to a mildly meandering detriment. Still, there's authenticity about this slice of America & a staunch swerve away from the sentimental feeling that love conquers all.

Go to Full Review

Owen McNally

Hartford Courant

Apr 18, 2018

Quaid's solid performance holds the film's loose ends together. He's really very much at home on the range here...Ryan rises pretty much above her more usual perky, pretty image, giving a funky performance.

Go to Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Mar 4, 2006

7/10

A downbeat, elegiac mood piece and character study about angry, damaged people whose lives are as desolate as the dusty West Texas landscape they inhabit.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Hagrid G

Sep 11, 2018

Written and directed by Steve Kloves with the movie opening with a gruesome killing involving a slaughter of a family executed by James Caan and a young boy. At this point viewers are unbeknownst in terms of what kind of a relationship he has with this child. The movie then jumps to many years later as time has passed, we then get to see Arliss Sweeney played by Texas man Dennis Quaid as he is filling vending machines all across the area. Who eventually bonds with a young woman named Kay played by Meg Ryan who is supposed to be a performer. They then strike up a relationship with viewers wondering whether the 2 characters had ever met before, as well as wondering when they are going to meet with the James Caan character again.

See more

Theodore S

Oct 15, 2017

Texas Film Noir done right.

Rey S

Apr 29, 2017

Well acted and scripted suspense drama that is more about character development than action, a pleasant change from the usual. Unsusal roles for both Meg Ryan and Gwyneth Paltrow. Beautifully filmed.

See more

Poe L

Jan 11, 2017

3.5/5.0 (great cinematography, though)

Read all reviews

Steve Kloves

Director

Dennis Quaid

Arlis Sweeney

Meg Ryan

Kay Davies

James Caan

Roy Sweeney

Gwyneth Paltrow

Ginnie

Scott Wilson

Elliot

Dead Presidents

47%

78%

Dead Presidents

Watchlist

Miles From Home

60%

59%

Miles From Home

Watchlist

Masquerade

50%

51%

Masquerade

Watchlist

Someone to Watch Over Me

67%

41%

Someone to Watch Over Me

Watchlist

About Last Night ...

68%

60%

About Last Night ...

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Haunted by memories of his father murdering a family, Arlis Sweeney (Dennis Quaid) prefers to keep to himself, focusing his energy on his work. One day, the traumatic past that eats away at him returns when he meets Kay Davies (Meg Ryan), a woman connected to the bloody event. Against all odds, Arlis and Kay fall in love. However, when his father, Roy (James Caan), reappears in his life -- with the coldhearted Ginnie (Gwyneth Paltrow) in tow -- Arlis must deal with his past demons.

Director: Steve Kloves
Producer: Mark Rosenberg, Paula Weinstein
Screenwriter: Steve Kloves
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Spring Creek Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 11, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings