The Learning Curve (2001)
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20% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
51% of users liked it
(597 ratings)
A couple drifts into crime for a few laughs and some fast money, but before long they discover they've gotten in too deep. Georgia (Money Mazur) is a beautiful but unstable woman who claims to be under eighteen and still living at home, though it's hard to say if she's telling the truth.… More A couple drifts into crime for a few laughs and some fast money, but before long they discover they've gotten in too deep. Georgia (Money Mazur) is a beautiful but unstable woman who claims to be under eighteen and still living at home, though it's hard to say if she's telling the truth. One night, while drinking with friends, she meets Paul (Carmine Giovinazzo), a janitor who intervenes when a drunk propositioning Georgia doesn't seem willing to take no for an answer. Paul and Georgia are both looking for kicks, but not in the usual manner; for fun and profit, Georgia teases men until they make their move, then turns her emotions 180 degrees and screams for help. Paul then comes into the picture, pretending to be the Knight In Shining Armor, and roughs the men up; he takes their wallets in the process, and Paul and Georgia split the money. This small-time con works well enough but gets old before long, and the pair plans a more elaborate scam involving an auto accident. Their target turns out to be a music business executive, Marshal (Vincent Ventresca), who sees through them almost immediately. He can tell, however, that they have a way with a con, and he hires them to work for his record label. Before long, drugs and booze are taking their toll on Paul, while Georgia balks at a blackmail scheme involving city officials who have blocked a building project Marshal is backing. The Learning Curve was the first feature from Eric Schwab, who worked as a second unit director on several films for Brian DePalma. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Eric Schwab
- Written By
- Eric Schwab
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Apr 1, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Motion Picture Corporation of America
Critic Reviews
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Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
Oh, that script by Mr. Schwab! As Cajun comic Justin Wilson says, 'He doesn't miss one damn inch of that road.'
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The Learning Curve may not offer anything new, but it has terrific vitality.
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Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Adds a layer of irony as the director makes one beginner's mistake after another -- revealing Schwab's own learning curve to be quite steep.
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Dragan Antulov, Draxblog Movie Reviews
uncharacteristically ambitious aims for a film that otherwise looks like nothing more than cheap exploitation thriller
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Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Good, flashy visuals, but writer/ director Eric Schwab still has a long way to go in applying a strong story with characters that matter.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Carmine Giovinazzo
as Paul
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Monet Mazur
as Georgia
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Vincent Ventresca
as Marshall
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Steven Bauer
as Mark
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Majandra Delfino
as Ashley
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James Eckhouse
as Mr. Stevens
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Stephen Burleigh
as Councilman Sherman
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Jack Laufer
as Councilman Reynolds
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Michael Horton
as Councilman Nolan
- Allan Wasserman
- Harry Hutchinson
- Norbert Weisser
- Rod Roesser
- Tim Ransom
