The Settlement (1999)
A darkly comic ride through greed, mortality, and misplaced bets — starring John C. Reilly and William Fichtner at their most morally questionable.
The Settlement - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Settlement
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Mark Steilen
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 1, 1999 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Dogsmile Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Settlement - Plot
Swaggering, womanizing Jerry and his hen-pecked buddy Pat are in a bind: their clients aren't dying fast enough! They buy insurance policies from the terminally ill, and bet on them to kick the bucket on schedule. But their luck is about to change when they meet Barbara, who has a $2million policy and 3 months to live.
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The Settlement - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mark Steilen
Main Cast
- John C. Reilly
- William Fichtner
- Kelly McGillis
- David Rasche
- Dan Castellaneta
- Bill Bolender
- Steve Tyler
- Stuart Pankin
- Monica Staggs
- Sharon Brathwaite
Writers
- Lawrence H. Toffler
- Mark Steilen
Producers
- Todd Hoffman
The Settlement - FAQs
Where can you watch The Settlement (1999)?
The Settlement (1999) has limited mainstream streaming availability. You can check JustWatch for the most up-to-date options in your region, including any rental or purchase platforms that may carry this dark comedy starring John C. Reilly and William Fichtner.
Who are the main actors in The Settlement?
The Settlement stars John C. Reilly as Pat and William Fichtner as Jerry, two men who profit from terminally ill insurance policyholders. Kelly McGillis plays Fake Barbara/Ellie, with supporting roles from David Rasche, Dan Castellaneta, Bill Bolender, Stuart Pankin, and Monica Staggs.
What is The Settlement (1999) about?
The Settlement follows Jerry, a swaggering womanizer, and his hen-pecked partner Pat, who buy life insurance policies from terminally ill people and bet on their timely deaths. Their scheme gets complicated when they encounter Barbara, who holds a $2 million policy and has just three months to live.
Is The Settlement based on a true story?
The Settlement is not based on a true story. It is an original dark comedy written by Lawrence H. Toffler and director Mark Steilen. However, it draws on the real-world practice of viatical settlements, where investors purchase life insurance policies from terminally ill individuals at a discount.
What is the age rating for The Settlement?
The Settlement is rated R by the MPA, meaning it is intended for audiences aged 17 and older. The rating reflects mature content including adult humor, crude language, and thematic elements involving terminal illness, mortality, and morally questionable schemes.
Who directed The Settlement (1999)?
The Settlement was directed by Mark Steilen, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Lawrence H. Toffler. The film was produced under Dogsmile Pictures and released in April 1999. Steilen's direction gives the film its darkly comedic tone and character-driven energy.
How long is The Settlement?
The Settlement has a runtime of 101 minutes, or approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes. The film was released in the United States on April 1, 1999, with an R rating from the MPA.
What genre is The Settlement (1999)?
The Settlement is a dark comedy-drama. It blends sharp, irreverent humor with dramatic undertones as it explores morally dubious characters who profit from the misfortune of the terminally ill. The film balances laughs with genuine character tension and an offbeat narrative premise.
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