Powerful

Better than most people think

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Yes, it only simmers, not boils, but that's actually what I like about the film. I think too many of our reviewers want suspense films that are totally unrealistic. For the most part, I can imagine the events of this film happening. In fact, if you look at Snipes' career, over the long-haul, the more outlandish his films became, the more his career ebbed.I always liked Wesley Snipes, and thought he could have been one of the most popular of the African-American actors that were coming into their own in the 1990s. I see his performance here as being solid. I can't say the same for Dennis Hopper's performance. The term "adequate" comes to mind. But not a very imaginative performance. He did his job, but does not inspire. Viggo Mortensen was more interesting. I enjoyed seeing Tony LoBionco, although I wondered if he got tired playing mob bosses.The film had some nice touches. Different settings than typical in this type of film (e.g., a ballroom dance floor). And, the sub-story of the woman whose life never quite takes off, and she muddles through being a waitress at a "hash house", always waiting for the one man who pays attention to her to become what he says he can be; a rather tragic characterization.My one big criticism of this film is the beginning. Dialog cycling through the different characters, attempting to show...well, what? Clever idea, but not fulfilled. It was at this point that I almost turned the flick off. But, it got better...but not great. But then again, I don't find the vast majority of "cops and robbers" stories to be great or inspiring.It's a good film. Not a great film. Once was good. Probably won't watch it again.

Those looking for an action hit look elsewhere, because this Wesley Snipes and Dennis Hopper starring vehicle is a lyrically moody and underplayed crime drama driven by characters and circumstances. And Snipes rarely boils over. This does not make it any less, but it's the complexities and performances that really nail this one down. Watching these characters interact or pass each other by without really knowing just how connected they are, explored some interesting directions (like the personal relationships in these character's lives and the baggage that came from it) and this is where the tension arose from. Not the action, although it did probably lack the thrills. But those moments when they occur did hit hard and that possibly can be attributed to the taut, multi-facet script exploring the protagonists. But you could say it relied heavily on these ironic encounters and the plot's knotty arrangement when these character's worlds collide. But it sure does make them open up their eyes to what's going on around them.Undercover cop Jimmy Mercer goes after the killer of his detective partner and is given a week to track down those who were responsible. Red Diamond is a conman who has just been released from prison along with his former cell-mate Ronnie Royce who planned the hit on the undercover detective. Diamond did it to pay off a $50,000 debt, but that was only part of it and he has got one week to come up with the rest of it. "Boiling Point" was a nicely atypical surprise by writer / director James B. Harris. It's a slick-looking production with some silky camera-work and a jazzy soundtrack. There's a real humid atmosphere and the Los Angeles' locations are brought to life. The performances are all quite varied with Snipes in dogged mode, Hooper smooth talking his way around and Viggo Mortensen quietly going about his business with brutal intent. Then the extra support sees the likes of Dan Hedaya, Seymour Cassel, Jonathan Banks, Tony Lo Bianco, Lolita Davidovich and Valerie Perrine adding to the fascinating rapport. Showing up in minor parts are James Tolkan, Paul Gleason and Tobin Bell. "Who am I to tell you how to run your business. "

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I found this to be a nicely paced semi-action, semi-fantasy nostalgia movie that proved to be quite entertaining. If you're looking for a mind-blowing thriller or a rowdy shoot-'em-up, you'll be disappointed. However if you're looking for some lower key but interesting character development juxtaposed with a cops vs. hoods scenario with a fairly linear plot line, then you may like this.The character development is done in a somewhat parallel fashion where each of the principals is shown in the light of his dysfunctional relationship with his significant other. It is in this light that we see the cops and the hoods looking not at all dissimilar with respect to their personal lives. This adjunct to the melodrama in the story, although not entirely original, embellishes the overall plot and entertains as well, as some good lines flow freely in these scenes.All the actors render justice to their roles, especially the swaggering, high-stepping, red-headed Dennis Hopper, whose nostalgia-laced alter ego to his criminal self finds solace and peace on the "Palace Ballroom" dance floor. Also, I found Wesley Snipes to be in good form here, as he displays a nicely rounded range of emotions and the acting maturity to give credence to his character. He is mellower, yet still very cunning and direct, in this role than in many of his prior melodramatic offerings.Lastly, I would be remiss not to include the Danny May Orchestra and singers for the lush harmonies and melodies and the overall mood that act as a fitting counterpoint to the criminal goings-on, perfectly set up in the opening sequences, where the tune "Dream" was played behind the night-time L.A. skyline. After all, we all need a little dreaming to help us escape from time to time!

When I rented a Snipes film I expected lots of martial-arts type action. This didn't have any action except jaw flapping. Whoever thought just having a dynamic actor in a movie was all it needed was wrong; but it DID gross $10 million...so I guess we're the losers. I should have known: between this & "Ticker" having Dennis Hopper in a movie is the "kiss of dearth" as far as entertainment value. The lamest part is where Hopper's character promises his (waitress?) girlfriend to take her dancing when it's all over. This was so awfully maudlin that I remember it better than anything else about the movie. What else is there to say? Why do I have to write TEN lines to say why I didn't like the movie???