Watch Johnny Skidmarks

Johnny Skidmarks is a neo-noir film from 1998, directed by John Raffo. The movie stars Peter Gallagher as Johnny Scardino, a former race car driver and now accidental crime scene photographer living in Los Angeles. Frances McDormand plays Alice, Johnny's best friend and confidante. John Lithgow portrays Jerry, a seductive and manipulative criminal who lures Johnny into a twisted and dangerous game.

The film begins with Johnny working as a photographer for the police department, taking pictures of crime scenes for evidence. But as his love for danger and intrigue grows, Johnny begins to stage his own crime scenes, setting himself up as the hero in the narrative he weaves. Alice is the one person who knows Johnny's true nature but, despite her pleas to stop, he continues to thrill-seek, putting both of them in danger.

When Jerry enters the picture, Johnny is drawn into a world of deceit and manipulation. Jerry is a smooth criminal who uses his charm and wit to lure Johnny into his web. He convinces Johnny to stage a robbery, blackmailing several different people in the process. With each new crime, Johnny becomes more reckless, losing sight of the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, Alice is struggling with her own demons. She is an alcoholic who is having an affair with the local bartender, Keith. Despite her feelings for Johnny, Alice knows that their relationship will never be more than platonic, and she worries about his safety.

As Johnny gets deeper into Jerry's world, the stakes get higher, and the danger becomes more real. Johnny's reckless behavior puts both Alice and Keith in harm's way. Eventually, Johnny must confront Jerry and the reality of the life he has created for himself. In a shocking and unpredictable twist, the movie reaches its dramatic conclusion.

Throughout the film, the themes of addiction, violence, and morality play out in a gritty and realistic way. The characters are complex and nuanced, and the dialogue is sharp and witty. The cinematography and lighting create a dark and foreboding atmosphere, setting the tone for the world that Johnny inhabits.

Peter Gallagher delivers a strong performance as the enigmatic and conflicted Johnny. He is able to convey both the character's charm and his dangerous nature, and his journey from adrenaline-seeking thrill-seeker to reluctant hero is both compelling and believable. Frances McDormand is also excellent as Alice, bringing a depth and complexity to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. John Lithgow is deliciously villainous as Jerry, and his scenes with Gallagher are some of the movie's strongest.

Overall, Johnny Skidmarks is a well-crafted, suspenseful, and thought-provoking film that explores the darker side of human nature. It is a must-watch for fans of neo-noir, crime dramas, and character-driven stories.

Johnny Skidmarks is a 1998 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.