The Set-Up is a 1995 American crime thriller film directed by Strathford Hamilton and starring Billy Zane. It was based on the 1977 novel My Laugh Comes Last by James Hadley Chase. Plot Charlie Thorpe (Billy Zane), a security systems expert, is caught during a robbery. When he get released from prison, a bank owner hires him to design a fool-proof system during the refurbishing of his bank. After he has completed the system, he begins getting blackmailed, to break his system. Cast Billy Zane as Charles Thorpe Mia Sara as Gina Sands James Russo as Kliff James Coburn as Jeremiah Cole Louis Mandylor as Pauly Tommy 'Tiny' Lister as Leon (as Tiny 'Zeus' Lister) Mark Rolston as Ray Harris Margaret Avery as Olivia Dubois Lisa Collins as Elizabeth Vince Deadrick Jr. as Officer Jones Shannon Wilcox as Mrs. Cole Paula O'Hara as Julia (as Paula Coburn) Ed Wasser as Cop #1 Brent Morris as Cop #2 Tom Muzila as Boxer Stephen Lofaro as Manager Roy Jenson as Older Guard Kevin McLaughlin as Young Guard Scott L. Schwartz as Maniac (uncredited) Release It debuted on the American premium television network Showtime on July 23, 1995. Reception Time Out reviewed the film, writing that it was "a movie that's more plot than characterisation, and is already doomed from the moment they cast the synthetic male lead." Variety and TV Guide also reviewed The Set-Up, the latter of which felt that "Persuasively acted by veteran smoothie James Coburn and the two romantic leads, THE SET-UP is knocked down a few pegs by the robbers--Mandylor, who seethes with "method" menace; former wrestler Tiny Lister, a Tor Johnson for the '90s, and the hammy Russo, who seems on a pilgrimage to showcase the worst aspects of Method-acted hooliganism in all his performances. " Of Coburn, a reviewer for The Age noted that "the veteran film heavy deserves better." References External links 1995 films 1995 crime thriller films 1990s heist films American crime thriller films American heist films Films based on British novels Films based on crime novels Films based on works by James Hadley Chase Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films 1990s English-language films Films directed by Strathford Hamilton 1990s American films