Key takeaways:
- Bound is a 1996 crime drama directed by the Wachowskis, featuring Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, and Joe Pantoliano, now available for streaming on Pluto TV.
- The film follows ex-con Corky and mob girlfriend Violet as they plan a heist to steal $2 million in laundered money, leading to unexpected consequences.
- Originally facing an NC-17 rating, Bound was re-cut for an R rating, eventually becoming a cult classic with its concise 107-minute runtime and focus on character-driven storytelling.
I don’t think I ever returned the Bound DVD to Blockbuster. My girlfriend and I rented it on a whim, one of those “we recognize the cast” pickups you made after 10 PM on a Friday. I’m sure it’s hidden away somewhere in the house, which is, coincidentally, the plot of Bound. The Wachowskis directed this crime drama with Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, and Joe Pantoliano in 1996, three years before re-defining sci-fi with The Matrix. No one thought they’d go from a lesbian noir-crime drama to The Matrix, but they did, and you can now watch their raunchy 1996 classic on Pluto TV.
Bound Keeps It Simple
Bound is deceptively simple: Ex-con lesbian Corky (Gershon) catches the eye of Violet (Tilly), the girlfriend of Mob money launderer Ceaser(Pantoliano). In secret, they start an affair and concoct a scheme to steal $2 million in laundered bills. It’s not Ocean’s 11. This heist involves sneaking the money out while Ceaser is in the shower. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything. Everything goes wrong. Ceaser doesn’t let Violet leave after Corky makes the swap, which means she’s witness to him shooting down the Mob enforcers (one is played by a pre-SVU Christopher Meloni), and then once caught, Ceaser ties up both Violet and Corky. In case you were wondering why the film is called Bound: it’s literal. If you ever wanted to see Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly struggle in ropes while Joey Pants is trying to talk his way out of being murdered by the mob, this is the movie for you.
Bound Was Re-Cut For MPAA Apprvoal
Bound almost didn’t get released. The initial sex scene between Corky and Violet showed too much, including, as Lily Wachowski described, “hand-sex.” Making a few cuts saved the film from a NC-17 rating and left it at R, which it retained for a limited theatrical run, earning back its production budget of $7 million, before becoming a cult classic and a staple of mid-90’s video rental stores. One less store than it was at least. Don’t think I can return the disc today.
What’s impressive about Bound is its runtime. 107 minutes, barely over an hour and a half, to tell a complete story. The Wachowskis waste no time on anything that’s not relevant to the story or tells us about the characters. There’s no fat left to be trimmed off this bone. It’s set in once location (adjoining apartments), with a minimal cast (most of whom end up dead), and most of the dialogue comes from Joey Pants. Which makes sense given he’s well, Joey Pants, and the other two leads spend most of the film gagged.
Bound is an interesting film. The Wachowskis make use of every single inch of the spartan apartment setting while getting an underrated villainous performance out of future Matrix star Joe Pantoliano. It’s old-school in its plot and execution, but modern in how it centers the female leads and makes their relationship the driving force. You’ll start watching it for one reaosn, and appreciate it for so many more.
Bound is now streaming for free on Pluto TV.
Jonathan Klotz