On this day July 10, 1987, The Squeeze premiered in theaters with Michael Keaton taking on the role of a down on his luck cartoonist who gets pulled into a dangerous conspiracy involving murder, stolen plans, and a woman on the run. Directed by Roger Young, the film also starred Rae Dawn Chong and Joe Pantoliano and mixed comedy, mystery, and action with a New York City backdrop.
Despite its high energy performances and stylish direction, The Squeeze struggled to find an audience. Critics were mixed on the film’s tone, which shifted between slapstick comedy and noir inspired suspense. Though Keaton’s charm was on full display, the movie underperformed at the box office. The film earned only 2.2 million dollars against a 22 million dollar budget.
Revisit the movie in our The Squeeze thread.
80s insight: The Squeeze showed that even star power could not always rescue a movie from falling through the cracks during a crowded summer season.
Despite its high energy performances and stylish direction, The Squeeze struggled to find an audience. Critics were mixed on the film’s tone, which shifted between slapstick comedy and noir inspired suspense. Though Keaton’s charm was on full display, the movie underperformed at the box office. The film earned only 2.2 million dollars against a 22 million dollar budget.
Revisit the movie in our The Squeeze thread.
80s insight: The Squeeze showed that even star power could not always rescue a movie from falling through the cracks during a crowded summer season.
