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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A whole lot more interesting than it seems, January 2, 2001
The other reviews for this film notwithstanding, this is NOT the "Gun Shy" that stars Neeson and Platt. This particular film stars William Peterson ("Manhunter")as Jake Bridges, and Michael Wincott ("The Crow")as Frankie McGregor, in what appears to be a fairly cut-and-dried exercise. Jake, a down-and-out writer is befriended by Frankie, a collector for a local mob boss. Jake needs money and something to occupy his mind so he won't drink himself to death. Frankie wants an education. The two of them not only click,they become very good friends, and Peterson falls in love with his friend's girlfriend Melissa, (Diane Lane "The Cotton Club")setting up your basic triangle. The rest of the film is about how this whole thing plays out between them. What makes it really interesting, though is the strong, homoerotic thread that winds through the film. By the end, you have to wonder why Melissa is even in the film (Butch assurance, perhaps) since the guys are so emotionally entwined they have made huge sacrifices for each other. (Don't want to give too much away here, so you'll have to see it for the particulars.) Even in the details, this thread seems obvious, at least to me. But hey, don't take my word for it. If you don't see it, that's fine too. The film can be enjoyed on a number of levels. It's not a great film by any stretch, but the acting alone puts it way up on the list. All three principals turn in wonderful, nuanced performances, making this film well worth seeing. Give it a shot.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This straight to video film deserved a lot more!, May 3, 2001
I rented this film (and then later bought the DVD) with fairly low expectations. I knew it was straight to video and low budget. I rented it because I am a huge Michael Wincott fan and he actually has a starring role in the film. Basically, there is a whole lot more to this film than you would think. It's about redemption, honor, deception, love, friendship, and the ability to make the right decisions and gambles to change your life, all tied together.... I thought Michael Wincott was brilliant in it (Diane Lane and William Peterson were also solid). I can't talk about my favorite scenes without giving away the end, but when his character, Frankie, sees what is happening, you see the realization on his face and it is heartbreaking. He rocks thru the end of the film. I felt his performance was extremely underrated - I'd never even heard of this film. Check it out.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting Noir Film!, March 30, 2005
A very dark film whose script is surprisingly effective and very, very original. An informer makes a deal, and he introduces in a mobster band as a simple writer who has lost his muse. his right arm will be a simple guy who obeys orders: extremely predictable with a clear of cultural ascendent. Our hero William Petersen much better actor than most of people believe makes a sharp portrait. He works out as a mirror image of Pygmalion and tries to open his eyes through a painstaking reading of Moby Dick with a lot of new discoveries about the life.
The drama completes its circle when Diane Lane a real Supreme Goddess, with natural talent and well gifted skills for acting eventually will be in a brief love affair with our informer. But Petersen is a very straightforward human being. And suddenly something simply doesn't fit where it should have been.
A thriller that keeps its cohesion and dramatic force from beginning to end. No fissures, good cast, excellent illumination and a very good cast. Lane and Petersen shine brighter with more intensity, obviously and establish a very good sexual chemistry.
Above average.
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