Simply A Masterpiece

Don't Believe the Hype

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

One of the most boring movies i've seen in a long time, with a story that never really takes off, and a plot that goes nowhere, makes no sense, and can be summarized in one line. The only reason i even watched it was because i was having trouble sleeping, bored, and it was on a "2 for 1" Blu-Ray with "Color of Night" with Bruce Willis and Jane March (a GREAT B-movie, that is one of those it's so bad it's good...highly recommended and underrated!). I would never have paid to watch this movie or even taken time to download it for free...i can't imagine who would. I never understood why some actors have a career (David Duchovny, Kevin Cline, Kevin Spacey) who can't even act and deliver all their lines like they're stoned or asleep, in every single movie they're in. I guess they have good agents. Funny to see Angelina Jolie before she got all buffed and toned; her face actually reminds me of Christina Ricci in a strange way, without the toning and slimmed cheeks. I found nothing in this movie believable, including the strange casting choices (is Timothy's Hutton's character supposed to be bi/gay, because he certainly gives that vibe...i have never seen another movie with him in it either, and can't say i'd desire to). Basically no point to watch this movie unless you're having trouble sleeping, or out of curiosity because you bought the Color of Night Blu-Ray. Nuff said.

I went into the experience of watching this movie expecting very little. I wanted to see the movie ever since I saw the preview for it years ago. I wasn't even aware that Angelina Jolie was in this. I'm not a great fan of David Duchovny. Timothy Hutton I expected to play his usual 'charming criminal role' and not do much more. That said, I was truly pleasantly surprised. The film had a nice even pace, lots of blood-spattering gun play and very little sex. In fact, I don't recall Angelina Jolie planting those huge lips of hers on anybody. Hmmm.David Duchovny played his part to perfection. Next to Angelina Jolie, his slouching casual self, muted by his dope habit, could have easily been a drooling fool captivated by her 'loose woman' persona. Instead, befitting an ultra-cool guy with years of education and socialization behind him, he turned it way down and was the cool hipster dealing with really evil hipsters who, like himself, always had some drugs in a pocket or the glove compartment. And like a cool hipster, he naturally kept encountering more and more cool hipsters. Like the bikers on the road who turn out to be allies when he is on the run.He had great lines, as did Timothy Hutton. He showed a mastery of timing, as did Timothy Hutton. Angelina kind of passed from man to man, looking beautiful but NOT having great lines and not having much of a history. I am glad I ordered this film from Amazon and finally got to see it. It was satisfying if you like any of the aforementioned actors. I liked Angelina Jolie in this film and I usually don't. She just looked good - good enough to make men want her but not interesting enough for anyone to want to get to know her.

What makes certain TV idols fail miserably at the movies? It's something that is hard to explain. While a lot of actors that start in television go to have great film careers, there are others like David Caruso, Matthew Perry, Gillian Armstrong, and as it is proven in this movie, David Duchovny, that will be better off to keep the day jobs in the small screen where they can excel.A ridiculous screen play doesn't add anything new to the genre, as is the case with this film. Then, we hear the flat reading that Mr. Duchovny, as the narrator, gives in a voice over, that practically sinks the movie. He sounds pathetic. Just hearing the theme song is enough to turn any would be viewer away!Most films are made with the best intentions. There must be a lot of things that can go wrong, as it appears to be the case with this one, and not because the film makers decided to sabotage the movie. I had not seen this film in its commercial run, and since there was nothing else going on, decided to take a look at it when it was shown on cable.A caution: Watch it at your own risk!

Eugene Sands is a drug addict doctor - although he has long since been barred from practicing medicine having been found operating high, leading to a girl's death. When he is at a club buying he witnesses a shooting and steps in to do enough to save a man's life. The owner of the club and criminal to boot, Raymond Blossom, takes an interest in Eugene and begins using him and his doctor. However the FBI are after Raymond and make moves to use Eugene to trap him.Coming off as a slightly upmarket video thriller, this film could have been much better but ultimately fails to engage or rise to it's potential. The plot is OK but the script doesn't manage to lift the story up into something that is really strong and engaging. The delivery is a big part of the problem - it isn't that well directed, nothing very wrong but certainly the feel of a video film as opposed to a big screen thriller. The decision to have a voice over narrator is always a gamble; sometimes it works but sometimes it really doesn't.Here the narration doesn't work for two reasons. First of all, the narrator has to explain or develop so much because the film fails to do it as part of the story being told. To make matters worse Duchovny delivery is so flat that it really sucks any energy out of the film. His actual performance is not as bad as his voiceover but he doesn't exactly manage to lead the film. This leaves the way open for Hutton's villain, but he struggles with a lack of character and eventually gives into overacting. Jolie is good but again suffers from having no character. Regardless of performances, not having any buy in with the main people meant that I wasn't into the story as I needed to be. Support from Massee, Stormare and Dourdan doesn't so much add quality as add familiarity.Overall this was very much a workmanlike thriller. It is passable but really it is difficult to overlook the fact that the film has major weaknesses in most areas. The plot is good but the script can't do anything with it, the narration is rubbish and the acting is only reasonable on the whole. Worth watching once but it's hard not to feel let down by it.