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Out of Sight

Out of Sight is a 1998 American crime comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Frank, adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1996 novel of the same name.^[1]^[2] The story centers on Jack Foley (George Clooney), a charismatic career bank robber who escapes from a Florida prison and inadvertently kidnaps U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) during his getaway, leading to an unlikely romantic attraction between the two amid his pursuit of a diamond heist.^[3] Released on June 26, 1998, by Universal Pictures, the film features a supporting cast including Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Dennis Farina, and Albert Brooks, and is noted for its nonlinear narrative structure and innovative use of split-screen sequences.^[4]^[2] The screenplay, which closely follows Leonard's source material—a 1996 Delacorte Press novel featuring the same protagonists—emphasizes witty dialogue, moral ambiguity, and the chemistry between its leads, marking a pivotal collaboration between Soderbergh and Clooney that influenced their later joint projects like the Ocean's Eleven series.^[5] Produced on a $48 million budget, Out of Sight was filmed primarily in Florida and California, with Soderbergh employing a naturalistic visual style inspired by 1960s crime films, shot by cinematographer Elliot Davis.^[6] The film's score, composed by David Holmes, blends jazz and electronic elements to underscore its blend of romance, humor, and tension.^[7] Critically acclaimed upon release, Out of Sight holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 105 reviews, with praise for its sharp script, Clooney's star-making performance, and Lopez's breakout role.^[2] It earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay, and received accolades from the National Society of Film Critics for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.^[8] Financially, it grossed $37.5 million in the United States and Canada and $77.7 million worldwide, achieving moderate commercial success despite initial underperformance. Over time, the film has been recognized as a cult classic and a key entry in 1990s American cinema, influencing the romantic crime genre with its sophisticated take on opposites-attract tropes.^[3]

Overview

Plot

Jack Foley, a seasoned bank robber known for his charm and non-violent approach, attempts a heist at a Florida bank but is foiled when the getaway car fails to start, leading to his arrest and incarceration at Glades Prison.^[3] While imprisoned, Foley befriends Richard "Ripley" Ripley, a disgraced financier who boasts about possessing $5 million worth of uncut diamonds stored in a floor safe at his Detroit home.^[9] Paroled after serving part of his sentence, Foley rejects a low-paying security job offered by his parole officer and begins plotting his return to crime.^[3] The narrative shifts non-linearly to Foley's daring prison escape, orchestrated with the help of his loyal associate Buddy Bragg and small-time crook Glenn Michaels, whom they encounter en route.^[9] During the breakout amid a blinding snowstorm, Foley hijacks a car belonging to U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco, who had been visiting the prison to serve legal papers.^[3] When police close in and Sisco's vehicle becomes mired in a ditch, Foley forces her into the trunk of Buddy's getaway car alongside himself to evade detection. Confined in the dark space, the two engage in a charged conversation about films and life, forging an immediate romantic connection as they fantasize about reuniting in Detroit over drinks at a bar called The Slate.^[9]^[10] Released unharmed after the escape, Sisco grapples with her professional duty and personal attraction, eventually tracking Foley to Detroit where he and Buddy assemble a crew—including the hapless Glenn—for the diamond heist at Ripley's residence.^[3] In Detroit, Sisco and Foley cross paths again at her hotel bar, where they spend an evening in deep conversation, acknowledging their mutual feelings but halting short of physical intimacy due to her badge.^[9] The film's non-linear editing interweaves this moment with future events, such as a tense dinner where Foley, Buddy, and Glenn discuss the heist amid growing suspicions of betrayal.^[10] Complications arise from Foley's former prison acquaintance and rival gangster Maurice "Snoopy" Miller, whose double-crossing ambitions threaten the plan.^[9] The heist unfolds chaotically at Ripley's snow-covered mansion, erupting into a deadly shootout as loyalties fracture and Maurice attempts to eliminate Foley.^[10] Sisco arrives on the scene to apprehend Foley, leading to a confrontation where she kills Maurice to save Foley, though she then shoots Foley in the leg during a struggle to subdue him without lethal force.^[11] Wounded and captured, Foley's transport back to prison allows a final, poignant interaction with Sisco, who arranges to oversee the convoy, fulfilling their earlier fantasy in a bittersweet manner that underscores the tension between their romance and her duty.^[12] The ambiguous conclusion hints at the persistence of their connection, leaving Foley's ultimate fate and their potential future unresolved.^[3]^[13]

Cast

The principal cast of Out of Sight includes George Clooney as Jack Foley, a charismatic career bank robber who masterminds a daring prison escape.^[14] Jennifer Lopez portrays Karen Sisco, a tough and resourceful U.S. Marshal tasked with apprehending fugitives.^[14] Ving Rhames plays Buddy Bragg, Foley's loyal and street-smart accomplice who aids in his criminal endeavors.^[14] Key supporting roles are filled by Don Cheadle as Maurice "Snoopy" Miller, a cunning rival criminal leading a gang interested in the same heist target.^[14] Dennis Farina appears as Marshall Sisco, Karen's experienced father and fellow law enforcement officer who offers paternal guidance.^[14] Albert Brooks is cast as Richard Ripley, a sleazy diamond dealer entangled in the underworld scheme.^[14] Steve Zahn embodies Glenn Michaels, a bumbling and unreliable associate who joins Foley's crew.^[14] Catherine Keener plays Adele Delisi, Foley's estranged ex-wife who provides occasional support amid the chaos.^[14] Isaiah Washington serves as Heist Man #1, one of the armed participants in the planned robbery.^[14] Luis Guzmán depicts Chino, a volatile antagonist and criminal enforcer complicating the protagonists' plans.^[14] The ensemble blends seasoned character actors with rising stars, creating a dynamic mix of quirky criminals and determined law enforcers drawn from Elmore Leonard's novel.^[15]

Production

Development

The film Out of Sight is based on Elmore Leonard's 1996 novel of the same name, with screenwriter Scott Frank tasked with adapting it for the screen by condensing various subplots to streamline the narrative and placing greater emphasis on the romantic tension between the protagonists. Frank retained much of Leonard's signature dialogue while making structural adjustments to heighten the story's pacing and emotional depth. Steven Soderbergh became involved in the project following the critical and commercial disappointment of his 1996 experimental film Schizopolis, which contributed to an existential crisis and a deliberate shift toward more commercially viable work.^[16] Universal Pictures acquired the rights and greenlit the film in 1997, with Soderbergh attached as director to helm this adaptation as a potential career pivot.^[16] Frank's script introduced key deviations from the novel, including an enhanced non-linear structure—such as relocating Jack Foley's line "You don’t seem like you’re scared" to the beginning of the trunk scene for added intrigue—and a deeper exploration of the chemistry between Foley and Karen Sisco through newly added interactions like their hotel bar conversation. The adaptation also omitted certain characters from Leonard's universe, notably the U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who would later appear in the television series Justified. The project received a $48 million budget, a decision bolstered by the recent successes of Leonard's adapted works, including Barry Sonnenfeld's Get Shorty (1995) and Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown (1997), which had established the viability of his crime fiction on screen.^[16]

Casting

George Clooney was cast as the suave bank robber Jack Foley in a pivotal move that helped revive his film career following the critical and commercial failure of Batman & Robin in 1997, which had left him wary of high-profile projects that prioritized spectacle over substance.^[17] Seeking roles that showcased his charm and dramatic range, Clooney viewed Out of Sight as an opportunity to shed the superhero stigma and reconnect with audiences through a character-driven crime story.^[18] His involvement came amid career uncertainty, as the Batman debacle had prompted him to exit ER and focus on selective films, marking this as a calculated step toward reestablishing his leading-man status.^[19] Jennifer Lopez landed the role of U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco after established stars Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts passed on the part, positioning it as her breakthrough in dramatic leading roles beyond her music and earlier supporting performances in films like Selena.^[17] Director Steven Soderbergh initially tested Bullock but found her chemistry with Clooney mismatched for the film's intimate tone, turning instead to Lopez, whose rising profile from back-to-back hits Selena (1997) and Anaconda (1997) made her a bold, fresh choice for a character requiring toughness and allure.^[20] Lopez actively pursued the opportunity, emphasizing her determination during a period of accelerating stardom, which helped secure the role despite competition from actresses like Mira Sorvino.^[21] For supporting roles, Ving Rhames was selected as Buddy Bragg, Jack Foley's loyal partner, to leverage their natural onscreen rapport and bring grounded chemistry to the duo's banter-heavy dynamic. Don Cheadle, who had initially participated in a table read as a favor to producer Danny DeVito, was cast as the opportunistic Maurice "Snoopy" Miller after impressing in the session, having been considered earlier for the lead role of Foley. Dennis Farina, a recurring favorite of author Elmore Leonard from his portrayal of Ray "Bones" Barboni in Get Shorty (1995), was chosen as Karen's father, the retired marshal Marshall Sisco, to infuse the family scenes with authentic, world-weary authority drawn from Leonard's source material.^[22] The casting process faced hurdles, including Clooney's negotiations for a reported $10 million salary that reflected his star power while accommodating the mid-budget production's constraints. Lopez's aggressive pursuit of the lead amid her burgeoning fame added intensity to the selections, as did assembling an ensemble capable of delivering Leonard's signature crisp, dialogue-driven style without over-relying on exposition. Soderbergh prioritized actors who could improvise within the script's rhythms, ensuring the group's interplay captured the novel's witty, understated tension during chemistry reads and fittings.^[23]

Filming

Principal photography for Out of Sight commenced on October 1, 1997, and wrapped on January 16, 1998, spanning locations in Florida, Michigan, and Louisiana to capture the story's dual settings of sun-soaked Miami and gritty Detroit. The opening bank robbery and related sequences were filmed in Miami, while the prison escape and early scenes representing Florida's Glades Correctional Institution were shot at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, where approximately 500 inmates served as extras for added authenticity. In Michigan, production utilized real Detroit landmarks such as the Kronk Recreation Center for boxing training, the State Theatre for interior shots, and Bloomfield Hills estates for the climactic heist mansion exterior, with interiors constructed on a soundstage in Universal City, California.^[24]^[25] Cinematographer Elliot Davis employed Super 35mm film stock to achieve a vibrant, intimate visual style, often using handheld cameras to heighten immediacy and tension, particularly in the urban Detroit sequences where director Steven Soderbergh personally operated the camera for point-of-view driving shots on his 35th birthday, January 14, 1998. The production was structured with non-linear editing in mind from the outset, allowing scenes to be captured out of chronological order to facilitate the film's fragmented timeline. Heist sequences demanded meticulous coordination, blending practical effects with location logistics, while improvisational dialogue was encouraged in key interactions to evoke Elmore Leonard's naturalistic prose.^[26]^[25] The iconic trunk scene, featuring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez confined in a car trunk during the prison escape, was a focal point of production ingenuity, filmed in a real vehicle with close-ups and minimal lighting to amplify claustrophobia and budding romance. Soderbergh initially shot it as a single long take over 45 attempts, selecting the 44th for an early cut, but audience feedback prompted reshoots with intercuts for smoother pacing and added dialogue references to films like Three Days of the Condor. Challenges included harsh winter conditions during Detroit exteriors, where six inches of snow halted shoots and required reshoots in California, as well as cold snaps at Angola and a Palmdale, California, facility standing in for Lompoc prison, where visible breath in scenes necessitated gas heaters and additional takes.^[24]^[25]

Music

The original score for Out of Sight was composed by David Holmes, a Northern Irish DJ and producer whose work fused smooth jazz, soul, Motown influences, and deep prog electronica to create a seductive, atmospheric backdrop that blended the film's romantic tension with its criminal undercurrents.^[27] Holmes' contributions emphasized brushed percussion, heavy bass lines, trickling piano, and sleazy guitar leads, evoking a noir-infused vibe that underscored key flirtatious and suspenseful moments without overpowering the dialogue.^[27] This electronic-tinged jazz style reflected Holmes' background in techno, house, and breakbeat, providing a modern edge to the adaptation of Elmore Leonard's pulp novel.^[28] Holmes collaborated closely with director Steven Soderbergh, building the score around rough cuts of pivotal scenes that already incorporated licensed tracks, adapting their instrumentation to maintain tonal consistency.^[27] For instance, in heist-related sequences, Holmes integrated diegetic elements drawn from the source songs, such as rhythmic motifs echoing the film's 1960s-inspired soul and Latin jazz selections, to heighten the cool, improvisational feel of the criminal planning.^[27] Representative cues include "The Trunk Scene," a pulsating bass-driven track that amplifies the intimacy and danger of confined spaces, and "Tub Scene," featuring shivering synths over a melting bass line to evoke vulnerability and seduction.^[29] The soundtrack album, Out of Sight: Music from the Motion Picture, was released by Jersey Records on June 23, 1998, compiling 15 tracks that mix Holmes' original compositions with period-appropriate songs to capture the 1990s reinterpretation of Leonard's gritty, retro aesthetic.^[30] Key selections include "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers, which sets an upbeat, funky tone for introductory action; "Watermelon Man" by Mongo Santamaría, infusing Latin jazz energy into chase sequences; "Spanish Grease" by Willie Bobo, adding Afro-Cuban rhythms to underscore cultural crossovers; and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" by Dean Martin, providing ironic, lounge-style commentary on the protagonists' risky pursuits.^[28] Other Holmes cues like "Jailbreak" and "The Drive to Ripley's" employ electronic breaks and soulful grooves to propel the narrative's momentum, contrasting the source material's pulp origins with a contemporary, hip vibe that influenced subsequent Soderbergh-Holmes projects.^[27]

Release

Theatrical release

Out of Sight had its world premiere in Los Angeles, California, on June 17, 1998.^[4] The film received an early screening at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival earlier that year, generating positive buzz among critics despite mixed reactions from some studio executives.^[16] Universal Pictures then launched a wide U.S. theatrical release on June 26, 1998, distributing the film to 2,106 theaters nationwide.^[6] The Motion Picture Association of America rated it R for language and some strong violence.^[31] Marketing efforts centered on the electric chemistry between leads George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, positioning the film as a stylish blend of romance and thriller elements.^[3] Trailers highlighted their flirtatious banter and the trunk-sharing scene, while posters featured the duo in close, intimate poses against a noir-inspired backdrop to underscore the hybrid genre appeal.^[32] To capitalize on the source material, Delacorte Press issued a film tie-in reprint of Elmore Leonard's novel, featuring movie artwork on the cover to draw in both fans of the book and newcomers.^[33] Internationally, the rollout began in the United Kingdom on November 27, 1998, followed by releases across Europe and Asia throughout the latter half of the year.^[34] The film's international distribution emphasized its cool, character-driven crime narrative, building on the domestic marketing to attract global audiences interested in Soderbergh's return to mainstream filmmaking after a string of indie projects.^[17] This positioning framed Out of Sight as a sophisticated crowd-pleaser, leveraging the director's Cannes reception to heighten anticipation abroad.^[26]

Box office

Out of Sight was produced on a budget of $48 million.^[35] The film opened in 2,106 theaters on June 26, 1998, grossing $12,020,435 during its debut weekend, which accounted for 32% of its domestic total. It ultimately earned $37,562,568 in North America and $40,000,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of $77,562,568. Adjusted for inflation, the domestic gross equates to approximately $74 million in 2025 dollars.^[36] Key performance metrics highlight the film's domestic longevity, with a legs ratio of 3.12—indicating sustained earnings over multiple weeks—and a 48.4% domestic share of the global box office. Released amid intense summer competition from blockbusters like Doctor Dolittle and The X-Files: Fight the Future, it proved a solid mid-season earner, achieving profitability primarily through robust international markets that exceeded its production costs.^[37] A modest marketing push contributed to its opening, though the film navigated a crowded slate effectively.^[16] In comparisons to prior works, Out of Sight outperformed director Steven Soderbergh's previous commercial high, sex, lies, and videotape ($24.7 million domestic), representing a significant step forward for his career.^[38] The project benefited from George Clooney's star power following Batman & Robin ($107 million domestic), yet it fell short of blockbuster expectations for a high-profile vehicle amid 1998's aggressive release schedule.

Home media

The film was initially released on home video in the United States on VHS and DVD formats in early 1999 by Universal Studios Home Video, with the DVD presented as a Collector's Edition.^[6] This edition featured an audio commentary track by director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Frank, along with deleted scenes and production notes.^[39] The Blu-ray Disc debut followed on March 1, 2011, also from Universal, retaining the director and writer audio commentary while offering enhanced video quality in 1080p.^[40] In June 2022, Kino Lorber issued a 4K UHD Blu-ray edition, featuring a new 4K restoration scanned from the original 35mm negative at 1.85:1 aspect ratio, mastered in Dolby Vision and HDR10 for superior dynamic range and color fidelity.^[41] This release included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound, which reviewers noted for its reference-quality clarity and immersion, elevating the film's distinctive sound design.^[41] Digitally, Out of Sight became available for rent and purchase on platforms including Amazon Prime Video and iTunes starting in the 2010s, broadening access beyond physical media.^[42] For its 25th anniversary in 2023, the film was added to Peacock's streaming library, providing subscribers with an ad-free viewing option and contributing to renewed interest in the title.^[17] Special features have been a consistent highlight across editions, including deleted scenes that expand on character backstories, the making-of documentary Inside Out of Sight with behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews featuring author Elmore Leonard discussing the adaptation process.^[43] The 2022 4K edition carried over these extras while adding high-definition upgrades, making it a preferred version for collectors seeking the most comprehensive presentation.^[43]

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1998, Out of Sight garnered widespread critical acclaim for its stylish blend of crime thriller and romance elements. Roger Ebert awarded the film three and a half out of four stars, praising its flirtatious dialogue drawn from Elmore Leonard's novel, which he described as relishing a "deep comic ease" and focusing on character interactions over conventional plot mechanics.^[3] The film holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 105 reviews with an average score of 7.3/10, reflecting consensus on its witty and sexy adaptation.^[44] On Metacritic, it scores 84 out of 100 from 30 reviews, indicating universal acclaim for its unconventional narrative structure.^[45] Critics frequently highlighted Steven Soderbergh's direction in seamlessly blending genres, with innovative time shifts and meticulous mise-en-scène that kept audiences engaged without confusion.^[46] The chemistry between George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez was a standout, often compared to classic pairings like Bogart and Bacall for its unforced, seductive repartee that drove the film's romantic tension.^[3] Reviewers also commended the fidelity to Leonard's source material, capturing its quirky humor, low-life dialogue, and character-driven absurdity in a smart, entertaining manner.^[44] However, some critiques pointed to uneven pacing in the heist subplot, with one reviewer noting the need for a "shot of adrenaline" to invigorate the script's occasionally so-so elements.^[47] In retrospective assessments marking the film's 25th anniversary in 2023, Out of Sight has been hailed as an underappreciated gem amid the post-Pulp Fiction crime film surge, overshadowed by contemporaries like Tarantino's Jackie Brown.^[17] Publications emphasized its enduring style over plot, praising the non-linear storytelling, vibrant color palette, and hip soundtrack that prioritize character relationships and atmospheric tension.^[48] Audience reception remains strong, with a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 50,000 ratings, fostering a cult following for the film's sharp, witty banter that continues to resonate in reevaluations.^[44]

Accolades

Out of Sight received two nominations at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999: Best Film Editing for Anne V. Coates's innovative non-linear approach, which highlighted the film's stylistic flair, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Scott Frank's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel.^[49]^[49] The film earned several wins, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture from the Mystery Writers of America in 1999, recognizing Frank's screenplay.^[50] It also won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film in 1998.^[51] Additionally, Frank secured the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1999.^[52] At the 1999 MTV Movie Awards, George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez were nominated for Best Kiss for their trunk scene.

Legacy

Cultural impact

Out of Sight is widely regarded as a pioneering work in the romantic crime-comedy genre, blending sharp crime thriller elements with flirtatious romance and wry humor in a way that influenced later films, notably Ocean's Eleven (2001), which marked the successful reunion of director Steven Soderbergh and lead actor George Clooney following their collaboration on the 1998 picture.^[16] The film's trunk scene—where escaped convict Jack Foley (Clooney) and federal marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) share a charged, hypothetical conversation about meeting in Detroit while concealed in a car trunk—has emerged as an iconic trope for intimate, trope-defying flirtation in confined spaces, emblematic of the movie's innovative approach to genre conventions.^[13] This hybrid style built on the post-Pulp Fiction wave of nonlinear crime narratives but distinguished itself through its emphasis on character-driven romance amid heist antics.^[16] The film bolstered the late-1990s archetype of the "sexy criminal," particularly via Lopez's portrayal of a competent, alluring law enforcement figure entangled with a charming thief, which amplified the appeal of morally ambiguous anti-heroes in popular media and contributed to a surge in charismatic rogue characters across crime stories.^[17] Elements of its dialogue and dynamic tension have echoed in television, reinforcing the trope of witty, tension-laced banter between adversaries-turned-lovers in genre fiction.^[53] In 2023, marking the film's 25th anniversary, a New York Times essay underscored its underappreciated cultural footprint, noting a resurgence in viewership via streaming on Peacock that introduced it to newer audiences.^[17] In April 2025, Clooney and Lopez reunited at the afterparty for Clooney's Broadway show premiere, playfully referencing their Out of Sight dynamic.^[54] The prior year's 4K UHD release by Kino Lorber further revitalized interest, offering enhanced visuals that highlighted Soderbergh's stylistic flourishes and drawing renewed acclaim from film enthusiasts.^[43] More broadly, Out of Sight played a pivotal role in elevating Hollywood adaptations of Elmore Leonard's novels, standing as one of the era's most acclaimed transfers of his laconic prose and intricate plotting to the screen during a mini-bonanza of successful Leonard projects.^[17] It exemplified the 1990s fusion of indie filmmaking techniques—such as nonlinear editing and naturalistic dialogue—with mainstream commercial viability, paving the way for genre films that balanced artistic ambition and broad accessibility.^[53]

Career influences

Out of Sight marked a pivotal resurgence for director Steven Soderbergh, serving as his first major commercial success following the experimental and critically divisive Schizopolis (1996), which had distanced him from studio backing after his early indie breakthrough with Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989).^[55] The film's blend of indie sensibilities with mainstream appeal reinvigorated his standing in Hollywood, paving the way for high-profile projects like Erin Brockovich (2000), which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, and the Ocean's Eleven trilogy (2001–2007).^[56] Soderbergh himself later reflected on the project as a deliberate pivot away from niche filmmaking constraints, describing it as an effort to "climb my way out of the arthouse ghetto."^[57] For George Clooney, Out of Sight arrived as a career lifeline after the critical and commercial failure of Batman & Robin (1997), which he has called a "wake-up call" that left him fearing for his professional future.^[58] The film's positive reception, particularly for Clooney's charismatic portrayal of bank robber Jack Foley, helped restore his image as a versatile leading man and solidified his transition toward more mature, ensemble-driven roles.^[59] It also initiated a prolific creative partnership with Soderbergh, spanning at least six films including Solaris (2002), The Good German (2006), and the Ocean's series.^[60] Jennifer Lopez's performance as U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco in Out of Sight built on her breakout role in Selena (1997), accelerating her shift from music and dance—where she had risen as a Fly Girl on In Living Color—to serious dramatic acting and establishing her as a bankable Hollywood star.^[61] The film's success contributed to her commanding higher salaries in subsequent projects, such as the record-breaking $9 million she negotiated for the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner (2001), marking her as one of the highest-paid Latina actresses and fueling a string of rom-com leads in the early 2000s.^[62] Screenwriter Scott Frank's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel elevated his reputation from script doctor to acclaimed auteur, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and a Writers Guild of America award for the film.^[63] This breakthrough led to further high-profile adaptations, including Minority Report (2002) and Logan (2017), while Out of Sight itself contributed to a late-1990s surge in successful Leonard screen projects following Get Shorty (1995).^[64](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/movies/out-of-sight-peacock-streaming.html)

Adaptations

The primary adaptation of Out of Sight is the television series Karen Sisco, which aired on ABC in 2003 and centered on the titular U.S. Marshal character created by Elmore Leonard and popularized in Steven Soderbergh's 1998 film.^[65] Starring Carla Gugino in the lead role, the series ran for 10 episodes produced by Universal Network Television, with the first seven airing from October to November 2003 before cancellation due to low ratings; the remaining three were broadcast in late-night slots during the 2003 holiday season.^[66] Critics praised the show for its blend of action, character depth, and Leonard-inspired dialogue, earning a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season, with Gugino's portrayal highlighted for capturing Sisco's toughness and vulnerability.^[67] Unlike the film, which revolves around Sisco's intense romantic entanglement with bank robber Jack Foley, the series shifts focus to standalone episodic cases involving fugitive hunts in Miami, expanding Sisco's professional life while omitting the central Foley storyline to allow for broader narrative flexibility.^[66] This structure emphasized Sisco's independence as a marshal navigating corruption and personal trust issues, drawing directly from Leonard's novel but reimagining her beyond the film's singular plot.^[65] The Out of Sight film also contributes to Elmore Leonard's shared fictional universe across adaptations, most notably through the character of ATF agent Ray Nicolette, played by Michael Keaton, who appears in both the 1998 movie and Quentin Tarantino's 1997 film Jackie Brown (adapted from Leonard's novel Rum Punch).^[68] This crossover, intentional in Leonard's interconnected storytelling, links the two projects without direct plot continuity, as Nicolette interrogates characters in separate Leonard-inspired crime narratives.^[69] Elements from Out of Sight further influenced the FX series Justified (2010–2015), another Leonard adaptation centered on U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, through cross-references in the source material and on-screen nods. Jack Foley reappears in Leonard's 2009 novel Road Dogs, a sequel to Out of Sight that integrates him into the Givens universe, inspiring subtle allusions in the show, such as Raylan's backstory echoing Sisco's encounters with charming criminals.^[70] Additionally, Gugino reprised a version of Karen Sisco—renamed Karen Goodall to sidestep trademark issues—as an assistant director of the U.S. Marshals Service in the season 3 episode "Cut Ties" (2012), where she interacts with Raylan and reinforces the shared Leonard cosmology.^[71] A 2023 cameo in the limited series Justified: City Primeval further cements this connection by placing the narrative in the same extended world as Foley's story, though without direct appearances from original cast members.^[72] No feature film sequels to Out of Sight have been produced.

References

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Out of Sight (1998) - IMDb
Rating 7/10 (104,417) Out of Sight: Directed by Steven Soderbergh. With George Clooney, Jim Robinson, Mike Malone, Donna Frenzel. A career bank robber breaks out of jail, ...User reviews · Full cast & crew · Plot · Trivia
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Out of Sight | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 94% (105) Synopsis Meet Jack Foley (George Clooney), the most successful bank robber in the country. On the day he busts out of jail, he finds himself stealing something ...105 Reviews · 50000+ Ratings · Cast and Crew · Video
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Out of Sight movie review & film summary (1998) | Roger Ebert
Rating 3.5/4 · Review by Roger EbertThe story involves a bank robber named Foley (George Clooney)and a federal marshal named Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) who grow attracted to each other while they're ...
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Out of Sight (1998) - Release info - IMDb
Release Date: United States June 17, 1998(Los Angeles, California, premiere) United States June 24, 1998(New York City, New York, premiere)
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https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/02/08/home/leonard-outofsight.html
[6]
Out of Sight (1998) - Box Office and Financial Information
Opening Weekend: $12,020,435 (32.0% of total gross). Legs: 3.12 (domestic box office/biggest weekend). Domestic Share: 48.4% (domestic box office/worldwide).Missing: awards | Show results with:awards
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Out of Sight (1998) - Awards - IMDb
"Out of Sight" received 13 wins and 15 nominations, including Oscar nominations for Best Writing and Best Film Editing, and won Best Film at Boston Society of ...
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Out of Sight | Reelviews Movie Reviews
Rating 4.5 (1) Directed by one-time wunderkind film maker Steven Soderbergh (whose sex, lies, and videotape put him on the map big-time), Out of Sight will inevitably turn out ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
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Out of Sight (1998) summary & plot - Spoiler Town
Sep 25, 2025 · The film marked the second collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, leading to a successful creative partnership.Detailed Summary · Film Music and Composer · Book Adaptations and...
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Out of Sight (1998) ending / spoiler - Movie mistakes
Maurice and Jack fight until Karen Cisco (Lopez) intervenes and kills Maurice. She tries to arrest Jack without harming him, but Jack refuses to go back to ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
[11]
Samuel L. Jackson's Surprise Out Of Sight Cameo - Screen Rant
Aug 17, 2025 · The final scene sees Jack getting ready to be transported back to prison, but Karen arranged to escort another prisoner at the same time, ...
[12]
27 Years Later, This George Clooney Crime Movie Still Features 1 of ...
Jul 16, 2025 · Out of Sight's final scene features George Clooney's Jack Foley reluctantly apprehended by Karen and thrown into the back of a prisoner ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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https://www.cbr.com/out-of-sight-best-george-clooney-movie-scene/
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Out of Sight | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
Cast & Crew ; Steven Soderbergh · Director ; George Clooney · Actor ; Jennifer Lopez · Actor ; Ving Rhames · Actor ; Don Cheadle · Actor.
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How Out of Sight Became One of the Landmark Movies of the 90s
Sep 13, 2019 · But that's exactly what happened when Universal bet Clooney, Lopez, and Soderbergh could turn a rom-com/crime movie hybrid into a hit. They bet…
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The Movie 'Out of Sight,' 25 Years Later - The New York Times
Jun 27, 2023 · This adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel broke a losing streak for Steven Soderbergh and gave George Clooney a boost up the movie star ladder.Missing: plot summary
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'Out Of Sight' 20th Anniversary Of How George Clooney Got His ...
Jun 26, 2018 · Out of Sight, which opened in theaters on June 26, 1998, tells the story of Jack Foley (George Clooney), a highly experienced bank robber/gentleman thief.
[18]
George Clooney reveals disastrous Batman movie almost ruined his ...
Oct 17, 2020 · George Clooney reveals he was shunned by Hollywood after disastrous 1997 movie Batman ... Clooney in 1998 crime comedy Out of Sight with Jennifer ...
[19]
'Hustlers' fans, let's never forget how great Jennifer Lopez was in 'Out of Sight'
### Summary of Jennifer Lopez's Casting as Karen Sisco in *Out of Sight*
[20]
Jennifer Lopez Revealed Her Ruthless Side for a Movie After ...
Sep 23, 2024 · Jennifer Lopez Revealed Her Ruthless Side for a Movie After Sandra Bullock Refused to Audition: 'You can't expect things to be handed to you'.
[21]
Farina has another Leonard pic in 'Sight' - Variety
Sep 25, 1997 · Dennis Farina has signed to costar in his second adaptation of an Elmore Leonard bestseller for Jersey Films.
[22]
https://variety.com/1997/film/news/farina-has-another-leonard-pic-in-sight-111662395/
[23]
17 Fast-Paced Facts About Out of Sight - Mental Floss
Jan 11, 2016 · It only takes a few minutes of being trapped in the trunk of a car together for U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco to fall for bank robber/prison ...
[24]
Commentary Tracks - Out of Sight - Phil on Film
Aug 5, 2017 · Commentary Tracks - Out of Sight. Out of Sight (1998) with director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Frank Comments on the film. On ...
[25]
Out of Sight - Variety
Jun 22, 1998 · “Out of Sight,” a sly, sexy, vastly entertaining film version of Elmore Leonard's playful crime novel, represents director Steven Soderbergh's ...
[26]
My Favourite Soundtrack: 'Out of Sight' - VICE
Mar 31, 2014 · Out of Sight was composed by David Holmes, a 27-year-old DJ from Northern Ireland. When Holmes first came on board, Soderbergh had cut the key scenes.Missing: noir | Show results with:noir
[27]
https://www.vice.com/en/article/my-favourite-soundtrack-out-of-sight/
[28]
Out of Sight Soundtrack (1998) | List of Songs | WhatSong
Songs Timeline · Watermelon Man · Fight the Power · Primavera - Remastered · One Note Samba · It's Your Thing · Spanish Grease · Things · Canadian Sunset.
[29]
Out of Sight [Music from the Motion Picture] -... - AllMusic
Rating 7.7/10 (23) Out of Sight [Music from the Motion Picture] by David Holmes released in 1998. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.<|control11|><|separator|>
[30]
Out of Sight (1998) - Parents guide - IMDb
Rated R for language and some strong violence. Sex & Nudity: Mild. Violence & Gore: Moderate. Profanity: Moderate. Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: Mild.
[31]
Out of Sight Official Trailer #1 - Ving Rhames Movie (1998) HD
Dec 12, 2011 · Jennifer Lopez Should've gotten a Golden Globe heck even a Oscar nomination for this she was really good.Missing: marketing posters
[32]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmfG7YF_5MA
[33]
Out of Sight (1998) directed by Steven Soderbergh - Letterboxd
Rating 3.7 (84,913) Meet Jack Foley, a smooth criminal who bends the law and is determined to make one last heist. Karen Sisco is a federal marshal who chooses all the right moves.Missing: summary plot
[34]
Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2025
Easily calculate how the buying power of the U.S. dollar has changed from 1913 to 2025. Get inflation rates and U.S. inflation news.Current US Inflation Rates · Historical Inflation Rates · FAQ's · Inflation and Prices
[35]
https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Out-of-Sight-%281998%29#tab=summary
[36]
Out Of Sight - DVD Talk
Jan 5, 2000 · ... deleted scenes. The commentary by Frank and Soderberg is quite hilarious, reminding me of the sort of friendly-sounding talk that "The Usual ...
[37]
Out of Sight (1998) - DVD Release Dates
Get Out of Sight DVD and Blu-ray release date, trailer and movie stats. Jack Foley is tired of robbing banks. After going to jail, he has a new target in ...
[38]
Out of Sight - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray - High Def Digest
Jun 26, 2022 · The romcom crime caper sets its sights on 4K Ultra HD with an outtasight Dolby Vision HDR video but the same DTS-HD MA track and the same set of bonuses.
[39]
Out of Sight streaming: where to watch movie online? - JustWatch
Rating 88% (1,997) Currently you are able to watch "Out of Sight" streaming on Starz Apple TV Channel, Starz. It is also possible to buy "Out of Sight" on Amazon Video, ...Missing: digital | Show results with:digital
[40]
Out of Sight 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
Rating 6/10 Out of Sight 4K Blu-ray offers solid video and reference-quality audio in this enjoyable Blu-ray release. A career bank robber breaks out of jail.
[41]
Rotten Tomatoes: Movies
Insufficient relevant content. The provided URL content does not contain the requested data (Tomatometer score, number of reviews, average rating, Audience Score, number of ratings, or critics consensus) for "Out of Sight." The page returned a "404 - Not Found" error.
[42]
Out of Sight Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 84% (30) Release Date Jun 26, 1998 ; Duration 2 h 3 m ; Rating R ; Tagline Opposites attract. ; Website https://www.uphe.com/movies/out-of-sight.
[43]
Out of Sight critic reviews - Metacritic
Works both as a great romance and a great, unconventional crime thriller. But step back from such distinctions, and it just looks like a great movie.Missing: score | Show results with:score
[44]
Out of Sight (1998) - User reviews - IMDb
Boy, this is a volatile cast and a diverse one, from pretty boy George Clooney to pretty girl Jennifer Lopez to burly Ving Rhames and little Don Cheadle to ...
[45]
Out of Sight Is Criminally Underappreciated, 25 Years Later
Sep 25, 2023 · Clooney and Lopez do the heavy lifting on screen, as does everyone working on that set, particularly the director. Steven Soderbergh's 1998 film ...Missing: technique | Show results with:technique<|separator|>
[46]
The 71st Academy Awards | 1999 - Oscars.org
Mar 21, 1999 · Film Editing. Winner. Saving Private Ryan. Michael Kahn. Nominees. Life Is Beautiful. Simona Paggi. Nominees. Out of Sight. Anne V. Coates.
[47]
Category List – Best Motion Picture | Edgar® Awards Info & Database
Out of Sight, Scott Frank, Universal. 1999, Best Motion Picture, A Simple Plan, Scott B. Smith, Paramount. 1999, Best Motion Picture, The Spanish Prisoner ...
[48]
Past Awards | National Society of Film Critics
... movie marketplace. 1998 Picture—Out of Sight. Director—Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight). Actress—Ally Sheedy (High Art). Actor—Nick Nolte (Affliction).
[49]
And the Winners Were - Writers Guild Awards
In 1998, Out of Sight's Scott Frank pulled off an upset over the scribes of A Civil Action, Gods and Monsters, Primary Colors, and A Simple Plan. Frank ...
[50]
Jennifer Lopez - Golden Globes
82nd Annual Golden Globes® LIVE COVERAGE. Awards Database. 2 Nominations. 0 Wins ... Out of Sight (1998) by Steven Soderbergh, with Matthew McConaughey in ...
[51]
MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss - Wikipedia
Winners and nominees ; 1999 · Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes – Shakespeare in Love · George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez – Out of Sight · Matt Dillon, Denise ...
[52]
Dark, sexy, funny: What makes Out of Sight the best film version of ...
Oct 6, 2016 · Out of Sight (1998), Steven Soderbergh director, Scott Frank screenwriter, is the best film version of a Leonard novel.
[53]
4 Filmmakers That Survived the Sophomore Slump (Video)
Mar 4, 2015 · Soderbergh remarkably stayed on people's radar so that when, in 1998, Out of Sight became his first commercial success since sex, it didn't feel ...
[54]
Ocean's Eleven: Steven Soderbergh's Career-Defining Victory Lap
Dec 7, 2021 · Ocean's Eleven was essentially positioned as “one more”—a victory lap reunion with his Out of Sight star Clooney, his Brockovich star Julia ...
[55]
Karen Sisco - Variety
Sep 29, 2003 · By any standard of cool, "Karen Sisco" is out of sight. ABC's series, based on Steven Soderbergh's 1998 George Clooney-Jennifer Lopez ...
[56]
Karen Sisco Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 70% (27) Adapted from the 1998 Steven Soderbergh film "Out of Sight" and based on characters from crime novelist Elmore Leonard, Karen Sisco (Carla Gugino) is a U.S. ...
[57]
Season 1 – Karen Sisco - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 95% (19) Karen Sisco is about a tough U.S. marshal with trust issues hunting fugitives in Miami, with a 95% Tomatometer score. Carla Gugino's performance is praised.Missing: Soderbergh | Show results with:Soderbergh
[58]
Michael Keaton Surprisingly Connects 'Jackie Brown' and 'Out of Sight'
Jun 21, 2023 · Michael Keaton is the same character in Jackie Brown and Out of Sight, two great, but separate, Elmore Leonard crime films.
[59]
This 27-Year-Old Crime Thriller Features A Surprising Connection ...
Apr 15, 2025 · Jackie Brown and Out of Sight Share The Same Source Material. Both Films Are Based on Novels By Acclaimed Author Elmore Leonard.
[60]
Justified: Timothy Olyphant's Goals for Season 3 - IGN
Feb 6, 2012 · Jack Foley from Out of Sight is in Road Dogs. And I think Dawn Navarro's in Road Dogs as well, who's in an earlier Raylan story, Riding the Rap.
[61]
Carla Gugino Lands Recurring Role on FX's Justified - TV Guide
Oct 18, 2011 · Gugino will play Karen Goodall, a Washington DC-based assistant director of the US Marshals Service who previously worked with Raylan.Missing: cameo | Show results with:cameo
[62]
1 Justified: City Primeval Cameo Confirms It Is Secretly A Sequel To ...
Aug 1, 2023 · This means Justified and Out of Sight exist in the same world - though viewers probably shouldn't expect appearances by Clooney's thief Jack ...Missing: reference | Show results with:reference