Customer Reviews

Strange Days

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Obviously, this is a movie people either love or hate. Put me in the "love" category. I'm no James Cameron fan, and I found the first hour or so of "Titanic" so pretensious that I almost couldn't get through it. So I was shocked to find how much I loved "Strange Days." This is a gutsy film that takes a lot of chances in terms of plot, performance and presentation -- American critics claim that's what they want in American movies and, yet, when such a film comes around, they berate it for such.

At its most basic level, "Strange Days" is a thriller -- futuristic film noir, with all of the traditional characters. But don't let the title or the plot summaries fool you -- this is a film that is less about new technology, science fiction and the future, and much more about the volatility of race and police relations in the USA, laced with strong athemes of unrequited love, trust, and the darker side of massive urban cities in the USA -- all presented in a frighteningly authentic manner. This is a character-driven movie, not an effects-driven one.

This is also an ensemble piece, where even characters with just a few lines are essential to the mood and presentation, as well as giving the main actors juicy moments to play off of. Director Kathryn Bigelow maintains a frantic, claustrophobic pace in this film, never going for the obvious -- every scene has a point, big or small, which you know in the moment or that you will learn about later. The soundtrack enhances the visuals in a way rarely experienced in a modern film.

If nothing else, you will love Angela Bassett. She's amazing not for the kung fu moves -- her character is the voice of reason, and her performance is stunningly genuine (and heart-breaking at times).

This movie is as flawed, and as classic, as Bladerunner. Time will tell if it gets as much respect.

Strange Days is one of those love /hate films. I first saw it in London on the day of release, in the cinema. I sat there stunned, gripped by the immersive visuals, virtual technology and brutal storyline set against the turn of the millenium.

Repeated viewings on dvd have proved this movie to be a thought provoking, rollercoaster ride. Not since Bladerunner has the blend of new technology and 20th century decadence been so well mixed. The Squib technology is fascinating, with so much potential; within the context of the film it is pornography that drives the market (parallels with the internet?)and provides Fiennes' character with painful revists of his lost love.

There are blips in the plot where it thins, the casting is a little skewed, but stick with it and witness the stunning events that unfold. I felt the energy of the millenium countdown at the end of the film actually eclipsed the real night here in London.

Recommended; definitely up there with Terminator,Bladerunner, Aliens et al.

Released in 1995 this film imagines a distant future of 1999 where gas is over $2.oo a gallon(imagine that)and people want to experience the reality of other people's lives without leaving their own homes.The SQUID technology that allows characters to record what they see and sell it to others(demonstrated in the terrific P.O.V. opening)is used by a killer to record his brutal murders.The responsability to find the killer falls into the lap of washed up cop now tech pimp Ralph Fiennes.Hopelessly obsessed with his ex-girlfriend and his recorded memories of her it's up to a tough limo driver Angela Bassett to help him pull it together.Predating our obsession with reality T.V. by years Strange Days is amazing on many different levels.It was a failure on it's initial release due to the lack of big box office stars.Fortunately what director Kathryn Bigelow did was get people who were right for the part.Instead of being a macho hero Fiennes is emotionally wounded yet charismatic.Instead of being just another pretty face to kick butt Angela Bassett is also the film's emotional anchor.At the time this one of the biggest movies ever to be directed by a woman and it's clearly a labor of love.From the diverse music selection from Deep Forest to versions of PJ Harvey songs to the fact that it's more character based than full of mindless action and has some very clever camerawork you tell she put a lot of thought into creating this film.The New Year's Eve climax is guaranteed to get your blood boiling and is one of the most dramatic endings ever staged.Filmed almost entirely at night in a neon lit world of clubs it's as visually impressive today as it was 10 years ago.If you've never seen this movie you need to check it out...it's one of the best forgotten movies of the 90's.

Despite what a lot of critics have said about it, Strange Days ranks as one of my favorite films, simply for the immersive, anarchistic feel and the brief glimpse of what our future could look like. It perhaps might be more of a cult film than could be enjoyed by the mainstream audience, but if you're looking for an involving, gritty, not-so-futuristic action flick, check this out. Ralph Fiennes convinces, though Juliette Lewis could've been better. Tom Sizemore, however, is my quiet favorite in his role as Lenny's (Fiennes) pal. There's enough action to keep the plot interesting, and it's always fun the first time around to decide who's doing what.

i saw this movie in the theater in NYC and it was so powerful that when angela basset is getting the... kick out of her by the LAPD and i little black kid jumps on on of the riot police, thus inciting a riot, every black audiece member (which was about 90% os the people there) started sceaming and there was almost a real riot. i wasn't sure if i was getting out alive. and then, after all of that (and several other conspiratorial happenings which i won't reveal), the movie ends up being just a love story, i loved it! it seemed to be about so much, to be saying so many things, racial barriers, addiction, ect. But it comes down to the end and says all that really matters are the people you love and the people who love you and knowing who really cares or what's best for you. it was beautiful, and i have never seen an audiece react to a film like that (unless the film really...). the performances are fantastic and ralph finnes is wonderful in a role that isn't exactly what he's known for. and cameron's script is mearly flawless, makes you wonder how he fell from this to Titanic.

One of the sci-fi masterpieces of the nineties, "Strange Days" is a movie that has a bit of everything and ends up being a terrific cinematic experience. Set in a near future, the story deals with classic themes like virtual reality, thought control or the share of memory, providing and exciting and engaging cyberpunk adventure.

Director Kathryn Bigelow creates a futuristic LA that manages to be both sophisticated and believable, avoiding the over-the-top, utopic and not very realistic depictions of future societies presented in other sci-fi films.

Although "Strange Days" is basically a thriller, it is way above many run-of-the-mill movies of its genre, as it suceeds at combining its key elements perfectly. The direction is dynamic, unique and fast-paced, adding style and energy with an excellent sense of rythm, flow and tension.

The acting is also a plus, since Ralph Fiennes is unforgettable as the flawed anti-hero Lenny and Angela Basset shines as his sister-in-arms Mace. This duo makes for an odd, yet original and memorable couple, delivering some enticing and moving scenes. It`s also interesting seeing the female character protecting the male for a change, making for a clever reverse of the predictable and typical scenario of most action flicks. Juliette Lewis is also convincing as the dark and feral femme fatale, especially when she sings a P.J. Harvey song to perfection (one of the many excellent and remarkable moments of this movie).

"Strange Days" is much more than a futuristic thriller, providing a rich cinematic experience that brings issues such as isolation, trust, friendship, love and life in general. Every scene is compelling and intriguing, and the plot is very well developed, culminating in a tense, dynamic and huge finale with a superb climatic ending. Kudos to the soundtrack, by the way, especially the Skunk Anansie live presence during the last scenes that adds a lot of edge, mood and atmosphere to that peculiar chase sequence.

Overall, this movie is definitely an underrated classic and a must-have. Forget overrated stuff like the boring and very flawed "Blade Runner", since "Strange Days" is a much more compelling and solid sci-fi masterpiece.

Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed Strange Days. At first I had to get over their depressing view of a present-future New York that is essentiall a police state where people getting shot in crowds hardly makes people pause. I thought Ralph Fiennes was excellant as Lenny(not to mention very pleasing on the eyes and ears- he is aptly named). At first it was hard to care about his character, but as the movie progressed I began to empathize with him. Angela Bassett was also wonderful as Mace, his friend who becomes his love interest. It was nice to have a female lead in an action film that did not need a knight in shining armor, but actually rescues the hero. To be honest, I was more into the romance between Mace and Lenny. Their history together could have been better developed, like how Mace went from grieving single mother who waits tables to a limo driver that kicks ass on the side and how Lenny got kicked off the LAPD and became a wire head. Despite their sketchy past together, the romance comes to a satisfying end complete with a bloodied but still oh so fine hero laying a nice long smooch on his woman. The action was also a bit more unpredicatable than most action films which was nice.

Strange Days is an excellent example of using film to tell a story given the high-caliber actors (Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Tom Sizemore and Juliette Lewis) and the realistic/futuristic production design (LA 1999). Everyone I've recommended this movie to has enjoyed it! The story of a lovesick ex-cop, turned virtual-reality junkie and civil rights advocate is a delightful "what if" scenario. Also, I'm not surprised that James Cameron's production company is involved, I'd have to say that he is the "King of the "What If" scenario!" (For instance, "What if" In order to change the future, a robot is sent back in time to kill a specific person.(The Terminator)) It is unfortunate that this movie wasn't promoted more and I feel lucky that I came upon this movie accidently on HBO. Although I am a fan of thrillers and sci-fi, a good story (giving the viewer a range of feelings and emotions) regardless of the genre is what truly sells to a wide audience. I believe that Strange Days is a good story told extremely well by the director, Kate Bigelow, using film.

I missed Strange Days when it first came out, and I regret it. James Cameron has almost always been a sentimental fool, and his story for this film is no exception. However, his decision to farm it out to Kathryn Bigelow was inspired, because her films have always been wilder, more worrying and more extreme than his - with the noble exception of "The Terminator", the only Cameron film with the courage of its altogether ignoble convictions.

It's sort of funny watching it now, in 2001, considering that the hi-tech-driven action is supposed to take place at the end of the last century. A lot of people have a problem with Ralph Fiennes as the hero, but I have a soft spot for old Ralphie - his whole schtick as an actor is about playing morally ambiguous characters who nevertheless have high ideals. He honed this doing Shakespeare on stage in the UK, and perfected it with his lover/traitor figure in "The English Patient". This is a test-run, as it were. Lenny Nero is a dealer in other people's memories who, god help him, believes in the product. His greasy hair, wheedling grin and obsession with his Armani suit are all beautifully of a piece, and his white knight complex is well-suited to his nervous charm and softly polished voice. It's a strange, lovely performance, in my opinion, even if some of the more baroque bits of tech-explanation are no more than perfectly competent. (Fiennes is great at the enjoyment of the memory technology, not quite so fluid at the exposition of it, but part of this is due to a more than slightly corny script.)

Tom Sizemore has a frankly alarming wig and a reliable turn in Dubious Friend, and that's all we want from him. Richard Edson - the original drummer for Sonic Youth, trivia fans - does a nice jittery job as Fiennes' techie contact. Angela Bassett is nothing less than splendid as Fiennes' protector, walking conscience and eventual...well, you'll have to see it, but you'll guess it pretty early on. She has at least one great line to deliver: "Memories are meant to fade, Lenny. They're designed that way for a reason."

Michael Wincott, as a sleazy rock manager to go with the gallery of other sleazy people he's spent a career bringing to the screen, and Juliette Lewis, as his protegee and Lenny's glamorously wasted Ex, are more than OK. Vincent D'Onofrio (one of the best actors in the world) carries off the psycho cop excellently, although any number of lesser actors could have done a comparable job.

The only problem is the script, which in its determined liberalism (the LAPD isn't really rife with racism, oh no, it's just a couple of loose cannons here and there) is at odds with the basically scary premise. In the end, it relies on the concept of The Good Cop and Real Love Conquering All. I don't suppose it could've been any other way, but...really.

The whole thing is executed (sic) with characteristic Bigelow panache. One nice piece of support casting is the Quebecois dancer Louise Lecavalier as one of Wincott's bodyguards - a genuinely scary presence, six feet of muscles, blond dreadlocks and an enigmatic smile. In all, it's a gutsier film than most, but the script veers away from its own momentum, and it ends up as just another potentially incredible movie gone respectable. Good to watch with a loved one, slippers, hot chocolate and a bottle of frozen vodka.

Some 12 years after its initial release I finally got around to watching this from start to finish, and it is really impressive. It's a rich, sometimes oppressive sensory experience, not unlike Moulin Rouge, but also hard-edged and violent and contemporary in so many ways. It's not the world we passed by or currently live in but it does express many fears of what we are becoming, which in America means increasingly polarized along any number of lines. Then again, I don't believe in the good old days. While the characters are colorful and exaggerated, I was totally sucked in and became fiercely attached to their outcome. Ralph Fiennes is complex and compelling (as usual), while Angela Bassett exhibits this fierce toughness and a vulnerability that makes her even more attractive than usual. There are multiple references and derivatives of Blade Runner that also run amok in this film. While I would never accuse 'Strange Days' of being perfect or entirely believable, it is an interesting voyage, a nightmarish vision and overall gripping experience.