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46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant direction and performances, April 5, 2000
I debated over whether or not to give this movie four or five stars-- it seems to me that 5 stars is an overused rating, but I so enjoyed it that in the end I couldn't give it anything but. Now, I must warn that this movie is not for everyone. If non-linear stories confuse you, just forget it, you'll hate "The Limey." It's totally out of order, and the plot is simplistic anyway. But this movie isn't so much telling you a story as it is telling you about the characters. Which is why I would recommend it if you, like me, enjoy character studies. "The Limey" is *not* an action film, it's a character study of a career criminal who will soon be too old to keep up with his lifestyle. And my God, the performances, particularly by Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda are absolutely incredible. Of course, the movie rests on Stamp's performance, being the focus of the film, and he delivers in spades. But not to be overlooked is Fonda, who as something of a doppleganger to Stamp's character, Wilson, is every bit Stamp's equal. Steven Soderbergh's direction is unsurprisingly excellent. Altogether another great movie of 1999.
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40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Day Film Noir, March 13, 2000
Steven Soderbergh's follow up to his wonderful 1998 film "Out of Sight" is more understated and subtle than most people might imagine. The Limey is in many respects the closest Hollywood has come in years to filming a modern film noir picture. The main plot of the Limey is of little to no importance. Terence Stamp plays a bitter old Englishmen who comes to LA to seek revenge for his murdered daughter. His pursuit of vengeance eventually leads him to a sleazy record producer, brilliantly played by Peter Fonda. The Limey is a film that revolves around its use of atmosphere. Soderbergh, forever a film geek, uses cuts in time and flashbacks (a constant one to Stamp on a plane) to establish a dark gritty atmosphere which he manages to sustain throughout the whole film. The scripting is a perfect fabrication of a film noir, every character is menacingly constructed to be a worn out tough guy. If anything negative can be said about the film is that it seems to go on a little long. In actuality the film is perfect length but the many scenes without dialogue make it seem longer than it is. Time and time again does Soderbergh cut to shots of Stamp staring into thin air reflecting. It establishes atmosphere wonderfully but if you are looking for a wild ride of an action movie the Limey is not your cup of tea. The Limey is a movie that would be adored by serious film fans but despised by the kind of people who go to the theatre just to watch a fun popcorn movie.If you got this far and you're reading this review then you probably love films.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bow down and worship the greatness of this film..., March 23, 2000
The Limey is, quite simply, one of the best movies of last year and possibly one of the best of the revenge noir genre. Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda are mighty gods throwing lightning bolts of nostalgia and regret in a maelstrom of non-linear editing so severe it'll make your eyes water with joy. Movies like this exist to restore your faith in the cinematic process as a whole. The Limey is a big slice of cheesecake to wash down the horrible choking slime of movies like "Payback" Also worth acquiring due to the commentaries, the first being a prolonged, amusing and mixed up argument between soderbergh (god) and lem dobbs (satan) and the second being everyone else. It is quite simply a masterpiece. To ignore it is to turn your back on manna from heaven.
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