Customer Reviews

The House on Turk Street

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"No Good Deed" is based on Dashiell Hammett's short (and very short) story titled "The House on Turk Street" which is included his book "The Continental Op." The original short story appaered in 1924, but as is often the case with film adaptations, the story is extended to cover its running time, perhaps stretched beyond its limit.

In this noir film, not an "op(erative)," but a cop Jack Friar plays the usual role of reluctant hero. Jack is asked to search the whereabout of a missing girl when he, being an amateur cellist, is about to join in the classic music festival. Against his better judgment, he promises to seek for her, and goes to "the house on Turk Street." Too late that he realizes he stepped into the wrong place where he, or any other cops, should not be.

There he encounters a motley group of criminals, who plan to get easy money from a bank. Captured by them, Jack has only his brain to rely on, to get away from this big trouble.

Be warned. This is a noir film, which means you cannot look for any conherent logics (can anyone summerize the plot of "Maltise Falcon"?) There are so many incredible decisions the characters make, or so many unbelievable coincidences. If you don't like these kinds of situations too good to be true, just forget about the film.

But the film looks beautiful as noir, and director is Bob Rafelson, who recently gave us atomospheric "Blood and Wine." "No Good Deed" has also equally credible sinister atmosphere, thanks to production designer Paul Peters and photographer Juan Luiz-Anchia. If you love this genre, you might find the film more engaging than other movie fans do.

As to actors. Sam Jackson is as good as ever (have we seen bad Sam Jackson?) but his actions sometimes lack convincing touch, not because of his acting, but because of the plot (Amazon's editorial review is perfectly right). As a femme fatale Erin who must survive, using whatever method she can grab, you can see Milla Jovovich, whom I thought, though she is doing her best, still slightly is miscast. But some people might find otherwise, so leave it to other reviewers.

More interesting and funny is the couple of Mr./Mrs. Quarre, played by Joss Ackland and Grace Zabriskie. They are simply amusing to see, with the wicked humor only those veterans can show. Oh, and I almost forgot to say that Stellan Skarsgard is the leader of the criminal group, whose character is always full of menace hidden under his calm attitude. He makes a great contrast with Doug Hutchison's most dangerous computer wiz that appeared on the screen.

"No Good Deed" is not good indeed, but its characters are drawn farily well, and the film manages to show some nice atomosphere of noir films. I don't think not many people have seen it, and that is understandable, but those who like the genre will find it pretty interesting.

By the way, in the film, you hear an old song "I'm not Your Stepping Stone" originally played by the Monkees. Of course, Bob Rafelson was producer of this popular TV series (1966-68), and the version you hear here is performed by Peter Rafelson, his son who is also known for Madonna song.

It started off good and then it went to crap all the way threw. Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Die Hard With A Vengenace) plays a cop who is helping out a mother of a lost child. So he sets out in search of her and ends up being taken hostage and tied to a chair. From there on it was too far too with stand. I couldnt bare the fact that Jackson signed up for this gargantuan of a bomb. Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil Apocalypse, The Fifth Element) seems like she is still is in Resident Evil. Stellan Skarsgard (Deep Blue Sea, The Exorcist The Beginning) is boring as hell as Tyrone. Doug Hutchison (Bait) dies the same way he did in The Salton Sea...with something in his neck. Those old people were just too annoying and so was this. I was tempted to stop and rewind and send it back to the store but then Jovovich in the shower keeped me from doing it and then I said screw it and watched the rest. Ughhhhh is all I half to say. Also starring Joss Ackland (Lethal Weapon 2).

To just only think about Bob Rafelson directing this film is by itself a solid warranty. That' s what it made to pay attention to this solid policeman that deals with a diabetic and cellist police officer who spends his holydays trying to perform Johannes Brahms ` Trio Op. 8, when suddenly his neighbor wants for him to help her to search his missed daughter. He will refuse, but soon h3 will change of mind and so he will live one of these awful experiences that the fate keeps for all who preserve the white room of the law.

Soon he will get involved about a very careful plan to robe 10 millions $, and the quartet formed nobody trusts in each other. A wounded and mentally disturbed woman, a repressive husband, and two other who pretend her each one to his own, will absorb you in this intriguing movie, plenty of those psychological devices that one really appreciates. Suggestive work illumination conforms a very advisable film to watch over and over.

Recommended without reserves, but never a classic.

The script pecks in every conceivable direction, and a few inconceivable ones, but surely not as terribly as the reviews would suggest. It held my attention throughout its winded course.

The suspense scenes are fabulously constructed, revolving around universally appealing themes -- bank heist, kidnapping, layered romance, betrayal, and above all, some fabulous twists.

Part of the slick fun is trying to figure out what the characters have up their individual sleeves, what surprising turn each may have to dish out. Result, an alluring semi-noir in which the audience is not privy in advance to how they'll all get away with it, or even who the good or the bad guys are.

Towards the end, we fall into the net of one gratuitous turn too many, which the eventually simplistic plot clearly did not have an appetite to digest, but hey, overall it is pretty cleverly done. Renting, at least, may be a good deed indeed.

I didn't have a chance to see this one in the theater but when I saw Samuel L. Jackson was in it I had to check it out. Let's say I wasn't disappointed. Jackson is cool as ever, but in this one he also shows a sensitive side. He plays a cop who's taken hostage by a band of theives. Stellan Skarsgard (you might remember him as the bad professor from Good Will Hunting) is great as the gang's leader. And so is Doug Hutchison (the creepy guard in The Green Mile) as Hoop. Both are in love with Milla Jovovich, but when she's left alone to guard the cop, some pretty interesting stuff happens that you won't want to miss. Jackson's menacing as always (with one high-octane speech at the end that is classic Samuel L) but Jovovich is sly, sneaky and sexy, all of which makes this cop wonder if he really wants to stop a robbery or if he just wants to disappear forever with the girl. A great ensemble cast, some really funny moments (the old couple the Quarres are quirky and fun), and some great music. This is certainly one to check out.

MUST SEE FILM --- YOU ARE UNABLE TO REMOVE YOUR EYES FOR A SECOND --- A CAPTIVATING FILM

I've seen almost every Milla Jovovich film and this is her best yet. She plays Erin, a thief who has to decide between her feelings for a cop (Sam Jackson) and a ten million dollar bank heist score. There's a kick ass scene where she plays piano and they get all sexy. I think she was perfectly cast in this role. You totally get how every guy wouldn't be able to know what to do around her.

No Good Deed, starring Samuel Jackson and the amazing Milla Jovovich is a totally riveting,different film noir. The cop who knocks on the wrong door is a skilled cellist. The femme fatale studied piano in Russia. Their interests lead to a powerful,dangerous romance. A gang of amusing but murderous bamk robbers want the cop (hostage) out of the way. The girl wants to protect him. Mayhem ensues and there are wonderful, literate funny moments. I heard Roger Ebert on his tv show give this film a glowing review. He was right!

Samuel Jackson does an excellent job as a very "human" cop in this movie. You are never sure what he will do given the situation he's in. Milla is good also as a Russian mob bosses girl. Thier relationship keeps you on the edge of your seat. I liked this movie very much.

Unlike others I did not like this movie. I am a huge Sam and Milla fan but those two wonderful actors could not save a lackluster plot and the total absense of interest. Was this a thriller, drama, documentary who knows? The three stars go to the acting ALONE, because nothing else about the film impressed me. I honestly couldn't tell you where it went wrong for the actors and the director were top-notch. Guess the story was just lacking.