Synopsis: After being randomly brought together in a car accident, two strangers--Bruce Hickman (an ill-famous professional magician) and Frank Marnikov (a music store owner)--develop a friendship based on their shared relationship with a deaf man. This common bond will lead them down a new path of personal awakening...and force all involved to confront secrets buried in the past.

Cast:
David Strathairn .... Bruce Hickman
Nicky Katt .... Frank Marnikov
Stacy Edwards .... Sophie Hickman
Arthur Hiller .... Mr. Prappas
Lake Bell .... Sara Marnikov
Christopher McDonald .... Dr. Addams
Michael Bacall .... Gene
Gage Stevens .... Eva
Julianne Nicholson .... Rebecca

Favorite Quotes:
• [flashback] Cop: "Name?"
Frank: "Frank Marnikov. M-a-r-n-i-k-o-v."
Bruce: "Bruce Hickman."
Cop: "You both insured?"
Bruce: "Yes."
Frank: "Yeah."
[present] Sophie: "Who's fault was it?"
Bruce: "His."
[flashback] Frank: "His."
[present] Sophie: "You thought you had the right-of-way?"
Bruce: "I did have the right-of-way."
[flashback] Frank: "He didn't yield. I didn't even see him coming."
[present] Sophie: "Who got cited?"
Bruce: "Me."
[flashback] Frank: "Exactly."
Bruce: "Listen, why don't you just--"
Cop: "Easy, guys."
[present] Sophie: "You lose your temper?"
Bruce: "Of course not." [flashback] "Why don't you just shut up."
Cop: "I said watch it, fella!"
[present] Sophie: "Was the police officer helpful?"
[flashback] Bruce: "No. No, he was a prick."
Frank: "He was kind of a prick."

• Bruce: [Gordon, their dog, runs out the door and down the street; Bruce chases him] "No! Gordon, no! No! Please, no! Come on! Come! Oh, okay! Screw you, too, then!" [notices his neighbor at the edge of the driveway staring at him] "Morning, Mrs. Delroy."

• Frank: "You couldn't give me a lift, could you? I'm only five minute away from here."
Bruce: "Umm..."
Frank: "Come on, man. What would Jesus do?"
Bruce: "Probably not park in a red zone in front of a court house."

• Bruce tells Frank the story of how he met his wife, Sophie, while drowning in a pool] Frank: "That's really--that's some story. She must love you an awful lot."
Bruce: "Well, it was twenty years ago. You know, if it happened tomorrow she'd probably just finish her lunch."

• Frank: "What are you doing out here?"
Bruce: "You have a dog?"
Frank: "No..."
Bruce: "Would you like one?"

• [talking about Sophie saving Bruce's life over dinner] Sara: "You must be a very strong woman..."
Bruce: "I was skinnier back then."

• "We are immortal until our work is done." - Frank Marnikov

Notes:
• Speakeasy was the runner-up in HBO's Project Greenlight competition and, therefore, was never televised or saw a theatrical release. It was finally brought to DVD/video in January, 2005.
• David and his co-stars learned sign language for their parts.

Critical Praise & Commentary:
• "David Strathairn is probably the most notable person in the cast as Bruce Hickman. The story really revolves around him. He's intriguing as a magician..." -Scott Chitwood, Coming Soon!

• "David Strathairn's put-upon everyman makes a sympathetic lead: He loves his wife and he loves his father-in-law and he even loves his mischievous dog, and this is the story of his standing by them as they reject him and test his patience, because that's what everymen do." -Scott Hardie, Thorough Movie Reviews