HARD RAIN (1998)

Directed By: Mikael Soloman Written By: Graham Yost Cinematography By: Peter Menzies Jr. Editor: Amnon David, Paul Hirsch & Gillian L. Hutshing CAST: Christian Slater, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver, Randy Quaid, Edward Asner, Ricky Harris, Michael A. Goorjian, Betty White, Richard Dysart. Set during a massive flood started by a dam accident in a small town, Tom is an armored truck guard who gets robbed by Jim. Tom gets away with all the money and hides it. In a panic, he tells the sheriff about the area he hid the money in and the sheriff locks him up. Now Tom has to get to the money and keep himself alive battling the sheriff, Jim and his crew and the elements. Just look at the title to tell you how this film was going to go. In the early stages of the film John Woo was originally slated to direct. Which might be why This film, feels like Christian Slater’s previous action Film BROKEN ARROW. Not as over the top but just as ridiculous. That is quite pleasurable as long as you don’t really think too hard about anything happening. The film has some impressive visuals at times, but for the most part plays like a typical 90’s action film. It is entertaining though. The action is over the top and practically non stop. The few scenes that do have some grounding are only there to explain certain plot points and for the characters to reasonably rest. There are plenty of crosses and double crosses most of them you can see coming. Even though there isn’t much acting needed for any of the roles. One of the reasons I enjoyed the film was that Christian Slater played the hero. I feel he is underrated as a actor that was hurt by bad movie choices and the fact that he was a teen idol. Those critics who insist he is just continuously doing a Jack Nicholson performance that’s the way he speaks. It doesn’t make him any less of a performer. He’s not the deepest or most method of actors but 9 times out of 10. He does a good performance he has a charisma that works for him. A rougeish charm that makes him look like the villain. He is able to play the hero also the rest of the cast. Just look ready to cash their paychecks. The actors chew and eat the scenery while thinking they weren’t planning for the working conditions to be this bad Director Mikael Soloman certainly has an eye for visuals. Which might have been put to better use in a film with a better premise, but he works well with what he has here. Wait for Television GRADE: C