Roommates (1994): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Roommates is a 1994 drama directed by Alan Metzger, starring Charles Durning as Barney, Randy Quaid and Eric Stoltz. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $12.1 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Alan Metzger
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Roommates About?
The premise of Roommates without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The story of a macho straight and a well-educated gay man who have to share an apartment at a half-way house for aids-patients. Slowly they become friends.
Roommates Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay
- gay character
- gay protagonist
- gay slur
- aids
- gay interest
- hospital room
- roommate
- father son relationship
- gay roommate straight roommate
- hospice
- ct scan
+38 more Show fewer
- brain scan
- lung surgery
- brain tumor
- car accident
- seattle
- 1994
- 1990s
- 20th century
- pianist
- billiards
- pool hall
- group home
- profanity
- watching sports on television
- reference to moby dick the novel
- reference to huckleberry finn
- reference to mark twain
- birthday party
- bar argument
- medical tests
- roommate roommate conflict
- drinking in a bar
- flipping a coin
- reference to a blood transfusion
- reference to gay promiscuity
- reference to gay lifestyle
- smoking
- cigarette smoking
- flipped car
- social worker
- public speaking
- reference to the marine corps
- taking a pill
- breaking a glass
- yelling at the tv
- one word title
- eating from a can
- administrator
Roommates Cast & Characters
Charles Durning leads the cast as Barney, with Randy Quaid as Jim Flynn and Eric Stoltz as Bill Thomas. Directed by Alan Metzger; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Alan Metzger
-
Charles Durning as Barney -
Randy Quaid as Jim Flynn -
Eric Stoltz as Bill Thomas -
Elizabeth Peña as Lisa
Also Starring in Roommates
· 4 more- Jill Teed Barbara Thomas
- Philip Maurice Hayes Mickey
- Babs Chula Norma
- Frank Buxton Mr. Thomas
More from Alan Metzger
More films directed by Alan Metzger: Snap Decision, My Husband’s Double Life, If You Believe and Michael Jordan: An American Hero.
Roommates Plot Summary
What happens in Roommates from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1963 Pittsburgh, a cantankerous Polish-American baker named Rocky Holzcek stands firm on a deeply felt family creed: “Family takes care of family!” At 77 years old, Rocky shocks his relatives by deciding to adopt his young grandson Michael after the boy’s parents pass away, despite everyone warning that Rocky is far too old to take on such a responsibility. The two of them make a home in Rocky’s apartment, where the daily ritual of card games becomes a quiet anchor in their new life. Rocky’s habit of meticulously arranging his hand, one card at a time, often tests Michael’s patience and his own sense of tempo, but it also becomes a shared rhythm that bonds them through the early years.
Full summary
The whole story of Roommates, scene by scene
Roommates Box Office
Roommates grossed $12.1 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$12.1M
- US & Canada
- $12.1M
How Well Do You Know Roommates?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the elderly Polish‑American baker who lives by the motto “Family takes care of family”?
Cars in Roommates
52 cars on screen, including the 1987 SAAB 900 Cabrio and the 1980 Chevrolet Chevette.
-
1987 SAAB 900 Cabrio Main role -
1980 Chevrolet Chevette Important role -
1986 Chevrolet Camaro Minor role -
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier Minor role
Roommates Also Known As
Also known as “Colegas de Quarto”.
- Also known as
-
- Colegas de Quarto
Seen Roommates?
Movies Like Roommates
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Roommates, Straightman and Roomies.
Roommates FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Roommates, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Roommates?
Roommates runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Roommates released?
Roommates was released on May 30, 1994.
Who directed Roommates?
Roommates was directed by Alan Metzger.
More films by Alan Metzger Who is in the cast of Roommates?
Roommates stars Charles Durning as Barney, Randy Quaid as Jim Flynn and Eric Stoltz as Bill Thomas, among 8 credited actors.
How much did Roommates make at the box office?
Roommates grossed $12.1 million worldwide.
Does Roommates have a post-credit scene?
No. Roommates has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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