Customer Reviews

The Stickup

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

THE STICKUP is another of those little films that is destined to perform better once released to the general audience who frequent the video outlets than in the craze-oriented movie house venues. This is a quiet little who-dunnit that keeps you on the edge of your favorite chair to the end. The story seems like a straight forward bank holdup by a good cop gone bad, until gradually every detail of the case in question is expertly exposed and each of the players is spotlighted to be revealed as to who they really are. James Spader continues to grow as an actor and does particularly well in holding our attention thru the many avenues of flashback in this story. The remainder of the cast is excellent (especially the fine and beautiful Lesley Stefanson). Relax, folks, this is a story to take you away from your daily routine and, as such, begs you to indulge your need to spin off on cinematic diversions. Recommended.

Here is an excellent low-budget film produced in Canada with a couple stars and more plot twists and turns than a West Virginia road.

The real star of this flick is producer-director Rowdy Herrington, the director of "Gladiator" and "Bobby Jones". "The Stickup" has one of the most intelligent and involving scripts I've ever seen in a low-budget film. The direction is also first rate with all the players pulling off their roles intelligently and credibly.

There is hardly a cliche or nitwit character to be found in this well crafted mystery about theft, betrayal and absolution. The morality play is small potatoes in this little actioner, which deserves a larger audience. It most reminds me of the early Coen brothers' "Blood Simple" and John Carpernter's "Assault on Precinct 13" (recently remade with a lot of stars), two movies that started important long lasting film careers.

I see big budget Hollywood flicks every day that can't hold a candle to this little movie. It appears Herrington didn't have much of a budget to work with up there in Canada, where the dollar buys more than in Los Angeles, but he made the most of it. He also coaxed good performances from his principal players and produced an interesting drama.

This movie may start slowly but it will keep you guessing throughout its 90 minutes. If you like crime dramas or action flicks, this movie is for you.

This movie was fun to watch and very witty. James Spader delivers a terrific performance as usual and Leslie Stefanson also does a fantastic job. The remainder of the cast is funny and slightly strange, which also makes this movie enjoyable.

The film is basically about a bank robbery that is thought to have been committed by Det. John Parker (Spader). As the film progresses, however, the audience is led to wonder whether he was really the one who did the crime. Aided by his love interest, Natalie Wright (Stefanson), he seeks to prove that he is not the thief. After some fun twists and turns in the plot, there is eventually a happy and satisfying conclusion to this fast-paced story.

If you are looking for a film that is fun, witty and thrilling, then I highly recommend that you check out "The Stickup." This film is definitely a must for fans of James Spader, especially if you enjoyed his performance in "2 Days in the Valley." Give this movie a try and I guarantee that you will have a fun time with it!

John Parker (James Spader) is a L.A. cop who has become involved with other detectives in grabbing drug money by busting dealers and then keeping the money for themselves. Evidently this has been going on for some years and finally Parker's partner wants out but is killed of course before that can happen. As a result, Parker has gone away so he can do some soul searching, can get his mind right and can figure out just how to handle this problem. TA DA!!!

NEW PROBLEM. He has now become the prime suspect in a bank robbery. On his first night in town, Parker goes to the local bar where Natalie Wright (Lesley Stefanson) picks him up. They spend the night together and find they are very compatible. Early in the morning he finds himself at the ATM of the bank that is being robbed. From here the story takes off and you are going to find this to be a very entertaining film and also very sexy at times without the smut that usually goes with it. Spader and Stefanson do have great chemistry. This is a must see for Spader fans of course and even if you are not, you will find this to be a very interesting movie and fun to watch. Guess what? You love the FBI agent.. It's true; you can't help yourself. You will not be bored with this movie. Try it, you'll like it.

This is a great, sexy, mystery thriller that really keeps you on your toes. There's no pointless panning and dialogue leading up to the excitement as the film opens with an intense car chase. James Spader keeps your attention to the fullest as the introverted former cop John Parker with his cool demeanor and rye wit, keeping you guessing what the hell is going through his mind. Spader has you engrossed in the role so much that you find yourself in the shoes of John Parker- getting away to a small mountain town, clearing your head of a painful divorce and tragic loss of a partner, getting wrapped up in a steamy romantic affair, and suddenly running from the aftermath of a bank robbery that has the whole town shaken up. If approached the wrong way, some of the dialogue and scenarios may come accross as somewhat corny, but it's really a modern action-mystery movie done in the style of a 1940's black and white mystery movie. Even the soundtrack gives it the vibe of a black and white picture. Good to own because you'll probably want to view it multiple times.

Kind of in the genre of movies like Memento and Mulholland Drive that deliberately set out to mislead the mind but not quite as complicated so that you feel you should have been able to have caught on a little sooner if you had only paid more attention - see if you can if you do watch. The witty dialogue between James Spader and female lead Leslie Stefanson is full of sparks that makes this a nice gem. The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is entirely due to the low budget cinematography, otherwise its miles better than the [stuff] that usually gets top billing these days.

Being a James Spader fan after watching Boston Legal, I sought out movies featuring him and was totally impressed with this film. A low budget police drama centered in an isolated rural town, this film has been added to my collection of sleeper greats.

I love James Spader in Boston Legal, so to see him in a serious role, more as a dishonest character was great. This movie will keep you guessing until the last second.

Loyal fans of James Spader will be pleased to enjoy generous screen time with this amazing actor, known for his meticulously crafted characters. Despite some odd directorial choices and the occasionally awkward script, The Stickup (2001) is a clever tale of one man's redemption after a case of mistaken identity, and police corruption. The plot has the viewer heading down one direction only to find that things were going backwards. Suspenseful moments, twists and a love story make for a nice movie which will hold your interest and draw you in.
Always best as the sexy Bad Guy, or the libidinous and dangerous Good Guy, Spader gets the chance to explore both archetypes in this compelling dark comedy. With his patrician good looks, predictably unpredictable choices, and usual intense commitment, James Spader is spot-on throughout, displaying his usual versatility, and playing naturally off his fetching co-star, Leslie Stefanson, with whom he appears to have real heat. This smart little film deserves a second chance. It seems to have slipped under the radar during a year in which movieland provided us with a bounty of riches. A must have for the loyal and rabid Spaderfan.

Special kudos to the fine comic work of John Livingston as the rookie FBI agent who helps us unravel the plot.

When my husband first saw which company made the film, his initial reaction was, "This is not going to be good - it's one of those cheap films". However, within minutes, he was as into it as I was. This movie will keep you guessing as you move through its many twists and turns. What seems like a simple bank robbery is much, much more. Reminds me of "A Simple Plan".

Excellent!