Made (2001 film)

Made (2001 film)
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Name	Made
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Jon Favreau
Producer	Robert Simonds
Writer	Jon Favreau
Starring	Ben Affleck
Music	Meg White
Cinematography	Tim Suhrstedt
Editing	Dan Lebental
Studio	Universal Pictures
Distributor	Universal Pictures
Released	December 21, 2001
Runtime	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$5 million
Gross	$8.4 million

Made (2001 film) is an American criminal comedy film written and directed by Jon Favreau. The film follows two small-time hustlers who are coerced into working for a loan shark, leading to a cross-country scheme that intersects with organized crime figures. The cast features Ben Affleck and Jon Favreau in lead roles and includes appearances by various well-known actors from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Plot

The narrative centers on two lifelong friends, a struggling boxer-turned-entrepreneur and an aspiring entertainer, whose lives converge with a loan shark after a business deal goes awry. Their attempt to repay debt propels them from urban neighborhoods to suburban hideouts, involving confrontations with mob-affiliated collectors, corrupt promoters, and rival criminals. Along the way they encounter a range of personalities including nightclub owners, con artists, and law enforcement figures, with escalating mishaps culminating in a climactic attempt to resolve the debts and reclaim autonomy.

Cast

The principal cast pairs Jon Favreau with Ben Affleck in the lead roles, supported by a roster of actors portraying antagonists, allies, and eccentric supporting characters. Performances include portrayals of a loan shark, his enforcers, nightclub proprietors, and the protagonists' romantic interests. The ensemble comprises familiar faces from independent cinema and mainstream studio pictures of the era, delivering a blend of comedic timing and crime-film pastiche.

Production

Written and directed by Jon Favreau, the production was mounted on a modest budget and employed a mix of location shooting and studio sets. The film drew on Favreau's experience in independent filmmaking and collaborations with contemporaries in the New York and Los Angeles film circuits. Financing came through studio backing that permitted a compact schedule and lean crew, while casting choices reflected a network of actors who had worked with Favreau and his peers in prior projects.

Release and reception

Released in late 2001, the film opened during a competitive holiday box office period and achieved modest commercial returns. Critical response varied, with some reviewers praising the lead chemistry and comedic elements while others critiqued the screenplay's structure and tonal shifts between comedy and crime drama. The film's reputation has been discussed in retrospectives on early 2000s independent-leaning studio comedies and in analyses of Jon Favreau's development as a filmmaker.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features a mix of period-appropriate rock, hip hop, and blues-tinged tracks selected to complement urban settings and nightlife scenes. Musical choices were used to underscore comedic beats and the protagonists' highs and lows, with licensing reflecting the film's modest budget and stylistic aims.

Category:2001 films Category:American films Category:Crime comedy films Category:Films directed by Jon Favreau