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Sneakers poster

Sneakers

year 1992decade 90sdirector Phil Alden Robinsongenre Caper thriller

126 minutes

IMDb
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Robert Redford Martin Bishop / Martin Brice
Dan Aykroyd Darren "Mother" Roskow
Ben Kingsley Cosmo
Mary McDonnell Liz Ogilvy
River Phoenix Carl Arbogast
Sidney Poitier Donald Crease
David Strathairn Irwin "Whistler" Emery
Timothy Busfield NSA Agent Dick Gordon
George Hearn Gregor Ivanovich
Eddie Jones NSA Agent Buddy Wallace
Stephen Tobolowsky Werner Brandes
Donal Logue Dr. Gunter Janek
Lee Garlington Dr. Elena Rhyzkov
James Earl Jones NSA Director Bernard Abbott

Sneakers | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Kyle Brandthost Joanna Robinsonproducer Craig Horlbeckproducer Ronak Nairproducer Chris Wohlersproducer Eduardo Ocampo
Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

The sound-based route reconstruction leads the choices; Kyle prefers the final fortress heist, with Joanna also praising the Scrabble decoding.

In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:33Read transcript
  • The 1969 prologue divides the panel: one participant would omit it, while the casting of the younger leads earns praise.
  • The supposed NSA agents confronting Marty is nominated.
  • The password-surveillance scene is nominated for Carl and Crease both wanting a look at the seduction.
  • Marty getting caught in the mathematician’s office is preferred to the preceding surveillance gag.
  • The Scrabble-code breakthrough is nominated.
  • Cosmo’s return and his financial-equality monologue are nominated.
  • Redford’s restrained reactions make an effective counterpoint to Kingsley’s large performance.
  • The discussion questions why the film treats Cosmo’s equality rhetoric as madness and compares its aging radicals with other films.
  • Reconstructing Marty’s journey through remembered sounds is selected for its suspense.
  • The sound deductions are enjoyed despite doubts about concussion and implausible memory; the apparent missing Bay Area bridge is defended geographically.
  • Cosmo addressing Marty over the intercom and revealing Liz as a hostage is nominated.
  • James Earl Jones’s surprise arrival gives the ending an extra burst of excitement.
  • The team’s requests for rewards make the final negotiation especially funny.
  • Praises the entire Warner Brandes operation, from identifying him to the restaurant ruse. — Kyle Brandt
  • Chooses the final fortress heist as his most rewatchable sequence. — Kyle Brandt
  • Chooses the cocktail-party sound reconstruction and also praises the simultaneous Scrabble decoding and box testing. — Joanna Robinson

The most "year the movie came out" thing

Redford’s clothes, computer dating, answering machines, car phones, and the film’s Bay Area setting evoke 1992.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:22Read transcript
  • Redford’s light-wash straight-leg jeans are nominated.
  • His baseball jacket is nominated and compared with The Natural; the claim that it is the exact same jacket is disputed.
  • Mary McDonnell’s feathered hair is nominated.
  • The team affording an Oakland theater and finding easy street parking feel specific to the earlier Bay Area.
  • Hacker graphics and manipulating a computer-dating service are nominated.
  • The assumption that computer dating could not produce a bad match is challenged.
  • An answering machine hiding place and a car-phone plot point are nominated.
  • Siskel billing Timothy Busfield ahead of other stars is selected as a striking sign of thirtysomething’s contemporary prominence.
  • The ending’s choice of charities for the redistributed money feels characteristic of 1992.

What’s Aged the Best?

Information-age paranoia, Redford’s car, comic dialogue, and James Horner’s score receive praise.

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:29Read transcript
  • The political jabs are reconsidered in the context of 2025.
  • The information-age paranoia and unstable Silicon Valley power figures feel prescient.
  • Giving an antagonist the name Dick creates a reliable insult in the dialogue.
  • Crease’s stumble and the familiar aging-action-hero complaint are praised as a comic stunt.
  • Mother’s conspiracy theories are compared with Aykroyd’s own public persona, despite his reported attribution to his brother.
  • The Kennedy conspiracy exchange and the Desert Storm friend joke are praised.
  • Marty’s orange car is admired; it is identified as a 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia rather than a Porsche.
  • Crease rapidly reversing his refusal to shoot his friend is praised.
  • Cosmo’s repeated immediate threat over the box is praised for its direct wording.
  • Crease’s silent reaction to Carl’s camouflage face paint is praised.
  • Poitier’s unexpected profanity and response to a racist guard are praised for their force.
  • Horner’s distinctive mix of saxophone, voices, and piano is praised; the panel cites Nicholas Britell’s admiration for the score.

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

The unseen pepperoni pizza is initially chosen, then the visible dim sum is preferred.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:52Read transcript
  • The opening pepperoni-pizza run initially wins despite the pizza never appearing on screen.
  • Brandes’s dim sum is proposed as a better answer because it is actually visible.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Marty’s sunrise drop-off and the code reflected in Whistler’s glasses.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:57Read transcript
  • Picks Marty being thrown from the car at sunrise with Alcatraz behind him. — Kyle Brandt
  • The sunrise on Lombard Street is praised, but the code reflected in Whistler’s glasses is preferred as the film’s iconic image.

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Chain of Fools.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:14Read transcript
  • Brandes singing Bad, Bad Leroy Brown during karaoke is the initial choice.
  • Aretha Franklin’s Chain of Fools is offered as an alternative, with praise for Aykroyd’s dancing.
  • The discussion asks whether using only the instrumental opening of Dylan’s song still incurs licensing costs.

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Whistler leads; Werner Brandes, Gunter Janek, Mother, Crease, and Cosmo are alternatives.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:45Read transcript
  • A blind sound expert named Whistler is the leading choice.
  • Werner Brandes and Gunter Janek are nominated.
  • Mother, Crease, and Cosmo are also nominated; Cosmo narrowly predates the Seinfeld naming association.

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The magical black box and Ben Kingsley’s performance divide the panel.

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:33Read transcript
  • Selects the unexplained black box and questions how it could decrypt everything. — Kyle Brandt
  • Ben Kingsley is selected as the weak link for seeming to perform in a different movie.
  • Cosmo’s awkward short run is mocked as especially unconvincing beside Redford’s athleticism.
  • Kingsley’s intensely serious account of Cosmo is contrasted with the rest of the cast’s lighthearted caper.
  • The panel reads Cosmo’s plea for Marty to stay as possible romantic attachment.
  • Doubts about Kingsley’s choices are tempered by praise for his Sopranos appearance.
  • Finds it funny that a brief run is being treated as the film’s weak link. — Joanna Robinson
  • Cosmo’s inconsistent accent is criticized.

Recasting Couch

William Hurt, Jon Voight, and Willem Dafoe as Cosmo; Kevin Costner as Marty.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:18Read transcript
  • William Hurt is proposed as Cosmo.
  • Jon Voight is proposed, although his energy might be equally unhinged.
  • William Hurt is rejected as too normal for Cosmo.
  • Willem Dafoe is proposed and warmly received.
  • Kevin Costner is proposed for the lead for his humor, charm, and younger age; others still value Redford taking this role.
  • The formal Recasting Couch prompt is treated as already covered.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Redford’s age mismatch, the seduction scene, and Whistler’s dancing; Scrabble’s datedness is disputed.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:40Read transcript
  • Redford’s age does not fit the character’s implied timeline.
  • The panel debates whether Scrabble feels dated, while others defend its continuing appeal.
  • The office seduction is criticized for briefly becoming too broad.
  • Whistler’s dancing is considered an overly stereotyped performance choice.

Casting What-Ifs

Mary Steenburgen reportedly considered for Liz; the panel discounts the significance.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:24Read transcript
  • The director reportedly resisted casting the older Redford, but his involvement then attracted the ensemble.
  • Mary Steenburgen is reported as considered for Liz, though the panel questions how meaningful that consideration was.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Redford’s last great starring film; Bish’s slow walk surpasses Ethan Hunt’s stunts.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:47Read transcript
  • Calls Sneakers Redford’s best 1990s film and his last great acting movie, excluding Marvel appearances. — Joanna Robinson
  • Rates Bish’s slow walk across the sensor-protected room above any Ethan Hunt stunt for its sustained concentration. — Kyle Brandt
  • The suggestion is that Sneakers may now be Redford’s most popular starring movie, distinguishing it from his Marvel supporting roles.
  • Indecent Proposal and All the President’s Men are offered as competing examples of continued cultural recognition.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Stephen Tobolowsky, with Donal Logue and Eddie Jones also discussed.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:51Read transcript
  • Timothy Busfield is ruled ineligible; Stephen Tobolowsky is the leading choice.
  • Tobolowsky’s early-1990s run is praised, with Groundhog Day still considered his defining role.
  • The panel calls Tobolowsky first-ballot material and jokes about adding his name to the award.
  • Donal Logue and Eddie Jones are additional candidates.

Half-Assed Internet Research

The intelligence-agency prank, phone-phreak inspirations, and the mathematical consultant.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:10Read transcript
  • The director was reportedly fooled by a prank claiming naval intelligence wanted script changes.
  • Phone phreakers and Apple’s blue-box origins are discussed as context for the characters.
  • The panel reports that mathematician Len Adleman supplied authentic lecture material and was persuaded by the chance for his wife to meet Redford.

Apex Mountain

Scrabble tiles and evading motion sensors qualify; the major actors mostly do not.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:18Read transcript
  • Redford is rejected for Apex Mountain here.
  • River Phoenix is probably rejected; Stand by Me, My Own Private Idaho, and Running on Empty are alternatives.
  • Poitier is rejected, with 1967 identified as his stronger period.
  • Aykroyd is rejected, and Species is preferred for strange Kingsley performances.
  • The slow walk to evade security sensors is accepted.
  • Scrabble tiles are accepted.
  • Seinfeld wins for the name Cosmo.
  • Geese sounding like a cocktail party is discussed, but its use in another unidentified film prevents a clean claim of originality.
  • Sneakers is preferred to Blue Chips for a Mary McDonnell character being pursued by an old flame.
  • Dances with Wolves is preferred for McDonnell herself.
  • Braille Playboy is suggested as an Apex candidate.
  • Helium-voice humor is enjoyed but not given its Apex here.
  • A later tangent awards ceiling-vent crawling to John McClane after considering Jurassic Park.

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks for Marty; an older Tom Cruise is suggested as Cosmo.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:04Read transcript
  • Hanks is the clear lead-role choice; Cruise’s association with running makes the slow walk an amusing counterexample.
  • An older Cruise with Magnolia and Vanilla Sky energy is proposed as Cosmo, while Hanks remains the final answer.

Picking Nits

Convenient vents, Cosmo’s motivations, Liz exposing the operation, and Crease’s incomplete travel request.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:07Read transcript
  • Carl’s access through ceiling vents seems to make the elaborate voice-password operation unnecessary.
  • Movie vents are criticized as implausibly spacious, clean, and accessible.
  • Marty is questioned for never checking what happened to Cosmo; his fugitive status is offered in defense.
  • Cosmo’s redistribution plan seems inconsistent with his wealth, threats, and violence.
  • Redford and McDonnell’s nearly identical feathered hair is mocked.
  • Liz’s computer-dating remark unnecessarily exposes the operation, although it fits her irritated cover persona.
  • Crease requests first-class airfare but neglects lodging and other travel expenses.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A sequel is entertained; a Crease CIA prequel also appeals.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:33Read transcript
  • A sequel is considered appealing even though the original cast could not all return.
  • A prequel about Crease leaving the CIA is enthusiastically proposed.
  • The panel jokes that another installment would receive an awkward sneaking-related title.

Is This Movie Better With…?

Scott Hanson calling the surveillance operation like NFL RedZone.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:52Read transcript
  • Rejects the usual additions and performs a Scott Hanson-style commentary over the heist’s surveillance feeds. — Kyle Brandt

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The NSA’s eventual surveillance powers, San Francisco status, hypothetical rewards, and Redford’s hair.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:48:05Read transcript
  • The panel questions the heroes’ victory in light of later real-world NSA surveillance.
  • Sneakers is called a top-tier San Francisco movie, with a wish for still more recognizable city footage.
  • Geographic discontinuities in other movie chases lead to questions about Giants-ballpark appearances on film.
  • Liz declining a reward prompts hypothetical requests, including stopping Jordan’s baseball retirement.
  • Access to private screenings of new films is proposed as a reward.
  • Bill speculates about whether Redford wore a wig; others suggest hair dye, and no conclusion is established.
  • The speculation becomes a joking proposal for a podcast about actors’ hair, wigs, and cosmetic changes.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The Scrabble tiles, black box, and red 49ers hat.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:17Read transcript
  • The car and a hypothetical wig are ruled ineligible.
  • The Scrabble tiles and black box are proposed.
  • An answering machine is mentioned, while the red 49ers hat receives enthusiastic support.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Check a stranger’s shoes to judge the encounter.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:54Read transcript
  • Looking at a stranger’s shoes is the preferred clue to how important the interaction may be.
  • A competing crude suggestion advocates accommodating a partner’s sexual requests.

More from the conversation

The cast, production history, and the movie’s warm ensemble tone are discussed.
Approx. transcript time · 00:00:00Read transcript
The panel discusses politics, technology, casting, and real inspirations.
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:14Read transcript