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Paycheck
Directed by	John Woo
Written by	Philip K. Dick (story) Dean Georgaris (screenplay)
Starring	Ben Affleck Uma Thurman
Distributed by	- USA - Paramount Pictures - non-USA - DreamWorks SKG
Release date(s)	December 25, 2003 January 16, 2004
Running time	119 min
Language	English
Budget	$60 million
IMDb profile

Paycheck is a 2003 film adaptation of the short story Paycheck by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. The movie was directed by John Woo and features Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman and Aaron Eckhart as the principal actors. Paul Giamatti and Colm Feore also appear. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see John Woo (disambiguation). ... Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American writer, mostly known for his works of science fiction. ... Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American Golden Globe Award-nominated film actor, director, an Academy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning screenwriter. ... Uma Karuna Thurman (born April 29, 1970) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress. ... Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and distribution company, based in Hollywood, California. ... This article is about the film studio. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. ... Film adaptation is the transfer of a written work to a feature film. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Paycheck is a short story by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, written on July 31, 1952 and first published in Imagination in July 1953. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American writer, mostly known for his works of science fiction. ... For other uses, see John Woo (disambiguation). ... Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American Golden Globe Award-nominated film actor, director, an Academy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning screenwriter. ... Uma Karuna Thurman (born April 29, 1970) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress. ... Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. ... Colm Feore (born August 22, 1958, at Boston, Massachusetts) is an Canadian-American actor raised in Canada of Irish and Italian extraction. ...

Plot

Michael Jennings (Affleck) is a reverse engineer who routinely has his recent memories erased after working on sensitive high-tech projects. He is often helped by his friend Shorty (Giamatti). He agrees to take on a project for James Rethrick (Eckhart), his old college roommate and close personal friend; Rethrick is CEO of Allcom. All Jennings is told is that he is to design something for three years in exchange for Allcom shares which will be worth a minimum of 10 million dollars. He meets and falls in love with Dr. Rachel Porter (Thurman), an Allcom biologist. However, after working for three years on the secret project, he wakes up with his memory erased and learns that he signed away his shares in Allcom which are worth 92 million dollars, and is left only with an envelope of personal effects - most of which aren't his and he doesn't recognize. As the film progresses he realizes he traded away his fortune to focus his attention on the envelope full of the following, seemingly unrelated items: Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American Golden Globe Award-nominated film actor, director, an Academy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning screenwriter. ... Reverse engineering (RE) is the process of taking something (a device, an electrical component, a software program, etc. ... “Chief executive” redirects here. ... A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of organisms. ...

1. a pack of cigarettes (used to escape from the FBI by setting off the fire suppressants in an interrogation room, creating a smoke screen-without it he would have died during interrogation)
2. a pair of tinted sunglasses (allows Jennings to see through the said smoke, enabling a quick escape)
3. a bus pass (the only item common to both versions of the story, allows Jennings to escape quickly through a bus terminal-the FBI must jump the turnstiles)
4. a diamond ring (allows a street kid to steal it; had it not happened, Jennings would not have returned to the bank where he received the envelope so he could ask more questions about its origins)
5. a fortune from a fortune cookie with lucky numbers printed on the back (winning lottery numbers, and clues to the location of the ticket)
6. a janitor's key (allows friend to access circuit breakers, creating a distraction)
7. a can of hair spray (used with lighter as a makeshift flamethrower)
8. a cigarette lighter (used with hair spray as a makeshift flamethrower)
9. a paperclip (used to short-circuit electronics to avoid being hit by subway train)
10. a matchbook (specifies a restaurant where he has a reservation, disguised with water-soluble paint)
11. a BMW key w/ alarm (allows him to identify and utilize a means of escape: an orange and black R1150R Rockster motorcycle)
12. a converging lens (allows him to notice discrepancy on stamp)
13. a stamp on envelope (contains microfilm with snapshots from the future-the fact that it's Albert Einstein on the stamp is a clue)
14. a small container of ball bearings (used to set off metal detectors, creating a distraction at security)
15. a keycard to Allcom's facility (allows him to re-enter his lab)
16. a hex key (used to open lab door security panel)
17. an Eisenhower Dollar (used to jam lab door security panel)
18. a crossword puzzle (locates hardware bug on the machine, allowing him to repair it)
19. a .45 Caliber bullet (used to destroy the machine-fired into hydrogen tank by a cycling piston)
20. a watch (alert him when to duck a bullet)

Soon he discovers that Allcom security personnel (led by Feore) are after him for some unknown reason, as is the FBI, agents of which tell him he committed treason against the United States. However, using the items now in his possession, Jennings is able to devise ways out of various predicaments and crises. Unlit filtered cigarettes. ... Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses (RB2132 901L) Sunglasses or sun glasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to prevent strong light from reaching the eyes. ... Jewellery (Jewelry in American spelling); consists of ornamental devices worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. ... Fortune Cookies redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A lighter is a portable device used to create a flame. ... Small metal paperclip Another example of a paperclip. ... Matchbook (open) A matchbook is a small cardboard container that holds a quantity of matches inside and has a coarse striking surface on the exterior. ... For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation). ... This article is about the optical device. ... A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ... “Einstein” redirects here. ... Nickel-chrome plated steel balls A ball bearing is a common type of rolling_element bearing, a kind of bearing. ... Hex keys of various sizes. ... Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar Reverse Apollo 11 Insignia The Eisenhower Dollar is a dollar coin issued by the United States government from 1971–1978 (not to be confused with the Eisenhower commemorative dollar of 1990. ... A crossword is a word puzzle that normally takes the form of a square grid of black and white squares. ... .45 ACP cartridges .45 redirects here. ... This article is about firearms projectiles. ... This article is about portable clocks. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... For other uses, see Treason (disambiguation) or Traitor (disambiguation). ...

Affleck as Michael Jennings

He soon discovers that he spent the last three years of his life designing and building a laser-enhanced lens which allows the user to see around the curvature of the universe, and thus, into the future; this was theorized by physicist William Dekker (Serge Houde), who had been killed for his work by Allcom agents. After building the machine, Jennings used it to catch a glimpse of the future, foreseeing his own death by gunshot wound. He also learns that the machine is prone to dispensing self-fulfilling prophecies (i.e., a plague is predicted-all those it says are infected are isolated in camps with conditions that create the plague. A war is predicted-the enemy it predicts is attacked first thereby causing the war). Ultimately, human responses to the machine's predictions lead to the downfall of humanity. In desperation, Jennings used the machine in an attempt to escape his death and ultimately destroy his creation. However, since he was completely isolated on the Allcom grounds, he was limited to leaving himself an envelope of innocent, everyday items. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Laser (disambiguation). ... The shape of the Universe is an informal name for a subject of investigation within physical cosmology. ... Not to be confused with physician, a person who practices medicine. ... A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that, in being made, actually causes itself to become true. ...

Jennings and Porter make their escape after Rethrick is killed by an undercover FBI sniper (with the bullet that, in an alternate future, would have slain Jennings). The future-viewing device is destroyed. For other uses, see Sniper (disambiguation). ...

The "paycheck" comes at the end of the movie, when Jennings finds a winning 90 million dollars lottery ticket hidden under the newspaper lining the bottom of Porter's birdcage. This fulfills the fortune cookie's message from earlier in the film, "If you only look where you can't go, you will miss the riches below."

Cast

• Ben Affleck - Michael Jennings
• Aaron Eckhart - James Rethrick
• Colm Feore - John Wolfe
• Uma Thurman - Dr. Rachel Porter
• Paul Giamatti - Shorty
• Joe Morton - Ag. Dodge
• Michael C. Hall - Ag. Klein
• Peter Friedman - Atty. Gen. Brown
• Christopher Kennedy - Dr. Stevens
• Ivana Milicevic - Maya
• Kathryn Morris - Rita Dunne
• Krista Allen - Holographic Woman

Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American Golden Globe Award-nominated film actor, director, an Academy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning screenwriter. ... Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... Colm Feore (born August 22, 1958, at Boston, Massachusetts) is an Canadian-American actor raised in Canada of Irish and Italian extraction. ... Uma Karuna Thurman (born April 29, 1970) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress. ... Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (born June 6, 1967) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. ... Joseph Morton, Jr. ... Michael C. Hall (born February 1, 1971) is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, best known for his role of David Fisher in the HBO series Six Feet Under and as the title character of the Showtime series Dexter. ... Ivana Milicevic is an actress born in the former Yugoslavia. ... Kathryn Morris (born January 28, 1969) is an American actress. ... Krista J. Allen (born April 5, 1971[1]) is an American actress. ...

Similar Theme

The key premise of the movie, namely that knowledge of the future causes the destruction of the present (through a nuclear holocaust), was used in the one episode of the 1970s TV version of Logan's Run to explain the holocaust that destroyed much of human civilization in the 23rd century. This article is about the 1967 novel and certain adaptations. ...

Trademarks

The movie features several of director Woo's trademarks, including two Mexican standoffs and the appearance of a dove. A photomanipulation depicting a mexican standoff. ... Subfamilies see article text Feral Rock Pigeon beside Weiming Lake, Peking University Dove redirects here. ...

Reception

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

Panned by critics and largely ignored by the viewing public, the movie was seen primarily as an action-adventure vehicle for Affleck. Some critics called this one of Woo's worst films, possibly because he downplayed many of the story's science fiction elements for transition to film. Fans of Philip K. Dick tend to be very critical of the movie. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ...

Ben Affleck won Worst Actor from the Golden Raspberry Awards for his work in the movie, as well as in Gigli and Daredevil. After asking why he did not get his trophy, he was presented the Razzie live on Larry King Live a week later, which he promptly broke. The broken Razzie sold on eBay for enough money to cover the hall rental for the following year's ceremonies. Razzie Award The Raspberry Awards or Razzies, first awarded in 1981, were created by John Wilson in 1980, intended to counterpoint the Academy Awards by dishonoring the worst acting, screenwriting, songwriting, directing, and films that the film industry had to offer. ... DVD cover of Gigli Gigli (pronounced zhee-lee) is a film released in 2003 which was written and directed by Martin Brest, starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. ... Daredevil is a 2003 movie directed by Mark Steven Johnson, who also wrote the screenplay. ... Larry King Live is a nightly CNN interview program hosted by broadcaster and writer Larry King. ... This article is about the online auction center. ...

While hosting Saturday Night Live, Ben Affleck commented that he would have walked out on the premiere until he realized he was in the movie. This article is about the American television series. ...

External links

• Paycheck at the Internet Movie Database
• Paycheck at Rotten Tomatoes
• Paycheck at Box Office Mojo