Customer Reviews

Scorchers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I want to start with the opening monologue, a piece of writing so well written and executed that I --no matter how many times I watch it-- cannot avoid getting misty eyed. This is by far the biggest gem the film has to offer.

I'm very happy to say they added this back into the DVD, and though it doesn't pertain directly to the rest of the story it certainly has a purpose in that it tends to enamour the audience towards Jumper, making the rest of the film much more enjoyable.

The story takes part in different pieces, one part following the exploits of a whore and a married woman clashing over her husband and father -- the more cohesive and down-to-earth of the two larger stories, another that shows us the bedroom of a couple on their wedding night as the bride fears sex and death. The last bit of the story is my favorite, the shortest and most scattered of the story, strung out in bits exposing the truth of a deadbeat actor turned town alcoholic as he's pressed to explain the point of classical music to a bartender played by James Earl Jones.

As said below, it's not an action movie, and is instead very character based and shows the roots of its original writing. It's nice for a night alone, or with friends who know how to keep quiet and listen. Curl up in a blanket and take a trip down the bayou, you won't regret it.

in other words there aren't many other films competing in the category. It has always been a favourite of our family (ie - Southern California family with relatives in Southern Louisiana)but even my husband hates it so if you've got no interest or ties to the bayous it might not be for you but if you do....

Look at the people in this? It is amazing you got them all into one film and it bombed so badly that it was pulled even from video for years. That can sometimes say more than can box office success (who will care about Titanic in ten years but look at Harold & Maude which also did badly on release?). The problem is that this is not a huge budget film. There are no explosions. There are no special effects to speak of at all but there is some amazingly quiet, unflashy and very, very truthful acting. And while giving you a flavour of the cajun way of life it also goes beyond that and gets slightly philosophical about the nature of life in general.

It is basically a play though and if you aren't used to watching those you might not do so well here. Instead of a curtain between scenes there are scenes roaming over the bayou and then back to four walls again where the action resumes. But if you think of this as a filmed play then you'll be fine.

And look at the price. Come on. It's hardly worth grumbling about. It's so cheap (do you know how much it used to cost when it was difficult to find on video and you were buying a copy of a copy anyway?????) Just take a look. Dunaway acting against, James Earl Jones, Jennifer Tilly and Denholm Elliot. There is a scene late at night in a bar between those four that has the most amazing exchange of dialogue and even if you hate the film you must watch it to be able to say that you've watched that scene. In fact this probably bombed because the script was entirely too clever, clever for the perception of the subject matter.

I myself am now buying about four copies to send out to family and friends who will be so excited to find this finally out on DVD.

You are going to laugh yourself silly while watching this one! It's not a movie for children at all,as it contains adult humor, but it isn't vulgar either. My husband & I saw this movie several years ago, I think it was on HBO, & have been trying to find it ever since! We mentioned it to several of our friends, but none of us could ever find it to rent nor could we find any mention of it when looking it up either by name or under the credits of any of the actors/actresses in it.
It's actually several stories taking place all at the same time in a very small southern town,centered around a wedding celebration, but they are all intertwined. One story involves Faye Dunaway as the town's "scorcher" (hooker), James Earl Jones as the local barkeep, & Denholm Elliot as the town drunk. They play off of each other superbly. At one point in their converstion JEJ ducks behind the bar because he is laughing so hard; I think it may have been an out-take that the director decided to keep in because it's just so funny! In fact, I would love to be able to see the out-takes because as funny as the movie is itself, they must have been great!

I first watched this movie in the late '80's; the second of two movies I rented for the family that evening. This was to be the second movie and it got late, so I watched it myself after everyone else had gone to bed. When the movie ended, I was somewhat in a daze, not quite sure what I had just seen, yet I realized that I had just seen something incredible. I rewound the tape and watched it again. Then I knew I had seen something extraordinary! My whole family watched the movie the following evening, and have all memorized dozens of lines from the movie that we quote and appreciate to this day.

This movie belongs in any serious movie watcher's library. The acting is unforgettable, the plot inspired, and the music (Mahler, I think) will touch your soul. It will lead you around corners...

Ken Hampshire
Denver, CO

This is a rather indescribable movie. There are some scenes of this film that are hysterically funny, mostly backwoods / redneck style humor. There are yet other scenes that are exceptionally deep and trenchant. In short, the movie covers the whole spectrum (somehow?).

James Earl Jones is terrific as a southern backwoods open-minded bartender. Faye Dunnaway obviously enjoyed her role as an unrepentant courtesan. Jennifer Tilly is comical as a wife who needs to learn how to become sexy. Those are the 3 big name Thespians in the movie.

You will have to see the film for yourself to delve into all the subplots. It is pretty close to being a real-time movie as it all takes place in an afternoon and evening in the bayou. If someone were to ask me why I love this film, I would have to say, simply, "I don't know." There is a certain mystery that permeates even the slapstick humor. The movie is both fun-loving and as sombre as the Mahler(!) adagio that is used in the soundtrack. In short, this film is mesmerizing....

This is a truly unique deranged movie about a couple of simple-minded young women trying to make sense of their lives. It's an odd mix of poignance and ridiculousness involving a lot of crazy intentional overacting. The emotional turmoil is serious, but the vocal inflection is consistently ridiculous. It reminds me of Beetlejuice, Evil Dead, The Nature Of The Beast, Roadracers, Crybaby, and The Road To Wellville. Those movies all have a similarly off-kilter blend of seriousness and insanity that defies even the conventions of being unconventional.

I saw this movie in the early 90's and enjoyed it very much. . We were talking about it recently and I ordered it from Amazon. I just watched it and liked it even more. The acting in this little sleeper is terrific, overshadowing more famous actors in better known movies. You laugh and you cry. It's a wonderful story about life.

This movie was terrible!!!!! I love James Earl Jones but I'm sorry, it was down-right terrible. I threw it in the trash after torturing myself watching it. Don't waste your money!!!!! It's awful!

The movie has the most supurb beginning in shots of the swamp, the story told, and the wonderful score; but it goes downhill fast. The kick in the pants for the late preacher ruined a funny situation (less is more); the chasing around in the bedroom was so way over done (it became tedious); the three vulgar guys outside the bedroom door was nothing but bad taste; the anger of James Earl Jones was so much more than what was called for; the anger of the married woman who wanted to shoot her husband for being with someone else became tiresome also; and vomiting on the wedding cake was just slapstick in a movie that could have had something to say.

I love this movie and all the people in it. It made me laugh some too. It's a must see also a must have in your DVD collections from Amazon or where ever. you will not regret the price eighter, So be sure to add this one to your DVD collection. You may want to watch it more than once I know I will be now since I own this DVD.