Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
Written by James Cameron & Jay Cocks
Cinematography: Matthew F. Leonetti
Editor: Howard E. Smith & James Cameron
Cast: Ralph Finnes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Brigitte Bako, Richard Edson, William Finchter, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Todd Graff
A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a conspiracy in Los Angeles in 1999.
I admire this film with it's dated futuristic fashion and trends it is a film easily to write off without looking deeper, but once you pay attention to it's story and the conspiracy's that lie within. While it's still not that extraordinary. You can tell how much work and storytelling is on display.
It is of course more a technical film than emotional one. Even if the lead character is tied to his to a certain degree. Not matter how sleazy he might come off as I am surprised that after this movie Angela Basset didn't get more offers for action films. she has the talent and physique. Even if the only role she could get in them were as a villain or right hand Asassian. it would be work and set her up in other genre movies.Though not going that way got her well respected dramatic roles, but appeared in less movies. So it's really a mixed bag. Either way she is awesome. She is the real star of this film.
Ralph Fiennes tries a little too hard and comes off as actively in the lead role. Not really giving you the feeling of inhabiting the character but he is believable. As he is our guide throughout the film. As at least he is trying but seems more interested in downplaying his looks and selling is the more unlikeable qualities of his character while also showing his natural charisma. As his his character is a schemer. Whose mouth is his sharpest weapon.
As the film seems to work like BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. When it comes to the lead roles and the dynamics of them. The lead who we are expecting to be the tough guy, is really wimpy even though an ex-cop and more of a talker. She is the tough no nonsense ass kicker. The conspiracy angle is really interesting it distracts you into thinking they are the same and really just seperate though parallel and intersect because of the characters involved. Even if by the end it comes off a little cut and dry. But not as deep and sordid as you might have thought.
Though after all it was written by James Cameron as a reaction to the L.A. Riots and you can tell. So at the time it was controversial with it's material as well as timely. Even if it never goes as deep as it could. It was more of a thriller not so much a political movie. Co-writer James Cameron fingerprints are all over the film. As he also produced the film.
The dialogue that feels a little too direct not really emotional. As the film seems to take a traditional plot shake it up with some political intrigue, but then also amaze the audience with it' cutting edge camera technology. Which also seems more to be a passion of James Cameron than Kathryn Bigelow. As with each new film of his he seems more interested in Pushing the effects and showcasing not only technology but presenting it in a way never before used or seen. Think of him as a more militant, direct and adult Steven Spielberg with lots of guns in his movies.
I have been a Kathryn bigelow fan since early in her career. While I loved BLUE STEEL when it first came to home video. NEAR DARK is the film that has my heart. I saw that before BLUE STEEL. even though I was really too young to watch I always remembered it and always came back to the film over the years. POINT BREAK is one of my favorite all time action films. Then this film which I was really looking forward to and reading all about it's making. In all the film magazines at the time. As even the teaser trailer of Ralph Fiennes talking and trying to sell you the experience using the hardware from the film. Though never revealing any real footage of the movie. Had me hooked as with the title the film could go anywhere.
This was one of those films that when it bombed I took it as a personal blow. As I couldn't understand why this movie didn't catch on. Now of course I can see why. Especially as it had a cutting edge cast. Juliette Lewis was quite popular even though it seemed at the time she was in everything. This was Ralph finnes first really big starring role after the SCHINDLER'S LIST popularity. And Angela Bassett was on a hot streak after recently getting nominated for WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT. The problems were that when the film came out. No one knew what it was about. Even though it tried to be an adrenaline blast to you senses.
Though at the time I thought the film was riveting. As it feels like a thriller that could have been made at any time. Though feels retrofitted for science fiction or more futuristic.
The action here is impressive as expected though it's a film that doesn't rely so much on it. As it is more about confrontation and escape. It is more a thriller after all. It has impressive action sequences.
One of the many reasons this film is noteworthy is that it was the forerunner of a lot of camera technology that we take for granted and is common today. Although at the time in it's beginning stages needed huge camera rigs. Instead of practically palm of your hand types we have today. Though the camerawork is stunning. Making it feel more loved in the audience are experiencing the action. Which was one of the things that made POINT BREAK's action sequences so strong.
Again the film looks Dated and in turn ridiculous and very of it's time, even though supposed to be futuristic. Not as bad fashion as the BACK TO THE FUTURE films predicted.
The film is Filled with reliable character actors we recognize now more then maybe we did then. Which also leaves an opening where any of them could be the suspect and can we really trust their characters.
It's a Thriller mostly but has impressive action sequences. The film seems More about obsession and addiction more than anything and overcoming that to be successful and do the right thing. If not you will be a slave and suffering to it forever.
The film does have a cruel streak which is necessary as it sets it apart and gives the scene and the actions more strength and gravitas. The film unfortunately has two rape scenes though thankfully they are short and cut well. Though they are through pov so there is a graphic quality to it. While Also looking to show off the cutting edge technology. Though by the end the film never quite goes in full into the cynical and downtrodden ways it has shown.
This is one of the last few times Juliette Lewis was cast as a femme fatale. She gives it her all and is believable that by the end once we know all about her character we are truly shocked by how heartless, cruel And selfish she is. The films only big mistake is making her seem somewhat redemptive by trying to save him when he is about to be killed. It would have kept the ending a little stronger if we kept seeing her cruel streak. Not knowing was she always like this or did she grow into this type of character. From the lifestyle and overindulgence in access. The irony is that in the 2000's she started a band Juliette & The Licks whose first album wasn't that bad.
This is probably one of the biggest roles for actress Brigette Bako. In a theatrical Hollywood release. As at the time she was an actress of note usually in erotic straight to video movies and the red show diaries television series. She has had a bunch of roles on television and plenty of non erotic roles that she excels in like the movie A MAN IN UNFORM. She seems to get typecast but when she didn't showed a range and she was one of the reasons I wanted to see the film.
The film achieves a slimy grimy aura. As most of the characters are more underground hustlers and rich derelicts who want to love the sex, drugs and money lifestyle. --I believe the film might have been more noteworthy if it had a more defined look. Rather than just ultra 90's only more experimental and boundary pushing.
It's inventiveness, skill and style shine through to make a memorable impact on the audience.
Grade: B
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