U-TURN (1997)

Directed By: Oliver Stone
Written By: John Ridley; Based on his book “Stray Dogs”
Cinematography By: Robert Richardson
Editor: Hank Corwin & Thomas J. Nordberg

Cast: Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, Billy Bob Thornton, Claire Danes, Powers Boothe, Joaquin Phoenix, Julie Hagerty, Jon Voight, Brent Briscoe, Liv Tyler, Abraham Benrubi

A man running from a mysterious past is trapped in a small desert town after his car breaks down. Everybody in this town seems to have totally lost their mind and Bobby can't wait to leave. But there is a problem: Bobby doesn't have the money to get his car back. So when an aging man offers him money to kill his young wife Bobby seriously thinks about it. However the gorgeous young woman casts some kind of spell on him and she asks him to get rid of her husband. But this time, the stakes are much higher...

This film is a Neo-Noir. In a bright sunny climate. It tries to reverse some of the conventions while embracing them. It has a drained out film look. It focuses on the more tawdry elements making it seem as sleazy as the characters. None of the characters are likeable memorable yes. Likeable no.
It just becomes a case of who isn’t as bad or evil then the next. If you are a film fan. You should know what is going to happen but that film tries to throw a monkey wrench into things.

The film has an all star cast. Who are clearly having fun with their roles. Though it is a small cast. They are constantly surprising you their performances. Billy bob Thornton who gained 50 pounds for this film. Literally plays white trash all dirty.
At heart it’s a cynical dark comedy.

Director Oliver Stone admits he is a fan of bad movies. The films he watches obviously have an influence over him as he seems to use tricks he see’s from them. This film isn’t bad. He directs the film as a B-movie. It seems to be a valentine to them or at least his version. While giving the film a blockbuster gloss. I believe he needed to make the film a bit more serious then playing the scenes more for laughs. So that at times we feel nothing is really at stake. We are just watching people go through the motions. When asked why he made the film. Mr. Stone explained that he wanted to make a small film that he would want to watch as a teenager.

This film was around the time Sean Penn was embracing acting again. There was a period where he wasn’t really making any films acting wise. So this was really one of the first times seeing him o the big screen. It’s fun watching him be manic and not in control as he usually plays roles in which he is reserved and laid back. He at first turned the film down and Bill Paxton was cast, but he had to drop out a week before filming, So luckily Sean Penn was willing to step in last minute. Oliver stone even tried to get Tom Cruise to take the lead and Marlon Brando to play the Navajo narrator

Jennifer Lopez needs more roles like this. She plays off her bombshell image and actually allows her to have range. Which Jessica alba tried to similarly do in THE KILLER INSIDE ME to less effect. This role was originally intended for Sharon Stone. When I see Ms. Lopez in this film it reminds me of what she is capable of with the right script, Role and director to help shape her performance. A director who has clout and a reputation to get her to place her trust in them. Instead she seems to choose these romantic comedy where she sleep walks through the roles, yet looking fabulous. Using her star power to intimidate new or hack directors into doing things her way and letting her coast instead of challenging her. I’m not saying every role has to be challenging but at least once in a while. Especially when her potential is obvious.

I looked forward to this film when it was coming out. Even reading the novelization before thefilm came out. Which gives you more of a background on the main character and gives insight into the situations he finds himself in.

GRADE: B-