Customer Reviews

This World, Then The Fireworks [VHS]

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

 

 

This is not a film for everyone. It is dark, sultry, twisted and self indulgent, and that doesn't have mass appeal nowadays unless Quentin Tarantino is directing and people are shooting each other in the face. It is, however, a terrific piece of filmmaking and as a fifties period piece it is surpassed only by films actually made in the fifties.

It is the story of brother and sister twins who were traumatized as children and turn out quite screwed up as adults. There is the ever present hint of incest looming in their relationship and they are both prone to lascivious escapades. The story serves up a slice of their lustfully demented lives together.

You almost have to be over 50 to appreciate this movie or be someone who likes old black and white films from that era. Director Michael Oblowitz has recreated not just the look, but the feel of the period. Tom Priestly, who went on to be the cinematographer on "The Thomas Crown Affair" did a fantastic job with filters and lighting to give the film an authentic fifties feel. The sets, props, costumes and music were all meticulously accurate. The use of a first person narrative (the story was narrated by Marty [Billy Zane]) was a very popular device in 40's and 50's films (think Humphrey Bogart).

Unfortunately, the film was more form than substance since the story was a just meandering film noir libido ride. Still, for fifties nostalgia buffs, this is a treat.

Gina Gershon was fabulous as Carol. She was sexy, seductive, and lewd while simultaneously being vulnerable and fragile. I can't remember seeing her in a role better suited to her talents, nor can I remember her giving a better performance. Billy Zane was really wrong for this part. His acting was fine, but it failed to capture the character considering the context of the period. Men of this period were known for their strength and impassive response to almost everything. Naturally this would always lead to a great scene marked by a fit of anger somewhere in the film as the pressure became too great for him to bear. Zane was too mercurial in his portrayal of this character. He had the male sex thing down, but he came across as shrill and defensive in a lot of scenes, very un-fifties.

Sheryl Lee gave a terrific performance as Lois, the sex crazed lady cop who becomes obsessed with Marty. We may never hear from her again, but for one film she grabbed the spotlight and ran with it. She was so desperately needy and shameless in her appetite for Marty that it seemed she couldn't live unless she was breathing the air he just exhaled.

I gave this film a 7/10. It is a 10 as far as filmmaking and period authenticity and the story was about a 5. If you like film noir, unabashed lust and the fifties, this movie is a must see.

...or "Whoa, Momma! Is this some perverse fun."

I was compelled to stop to watch this primarily because it's got two of my favorite bad girl actresses Gina (Showgirls/Bound) Gershon and Sheryl Lee in it, but to my greatest surprise, it turns out to be a Jim Thompson Noir, with cynical guy voice overs and the "each scene is a painted cover of a pulp magazine" type of cinematography. Billy Zane plays a drifting journalist whose relationships with everyone seems a bit unhinged, to say the least, and in his mind's eye maybe he becomes the hardboiled type that is usually part of the "True Detective" Noirs. You wonder does he have enough hold on reality?--Or is it just how the wicked thinks. Does his sister, Carol, have any grips on
reality? Or is she out to settle some scores seeing after a brutal murder and a near gang rape when she was a kid? Like some of the reviewers below noted: this is not for everyone's taste, but if you love Thompson and ia a big fan of what one cable station is calling Neo Noirs, you will love this. I would have love seeing how Daivid Lynch would have handled this...

This is a kinky and twisted movie with a dash of black humor. Only Zane can pull off such a character with his "pushing the envelope" and zany ( zaney ? ) acting ability. As for Gershon (those lips) she plays her character as the wanton sister very well. I guess it's that underlying hint at incest between Zane's and Gershon's characters as well as the dysfunctional family atmosphere exuded by Rue McClannahan as their ailing mother that may disturb some viewers. Otherwise, this is a great art house flick if you like films out of the ordinary with bizarre characters and a peculiar story !

I loved this movie. Any movie where Billy Zane takes off any of his clothes is great!! The story is a bit under developed but the charaters have depth. Film moves along at a good pace but there are few surprises. Rue McCallahan as the mother was interesting and Sheryl Lee as the girlfriend was great. She plays a tramp very well. I would have liked to have seen how the relationship between the brother and sister developed in the years that the movie didn't cover. Mother refers to "the trouble" they got into but that is never really explained. Overall worth seeing and I plan to own it.

Well, I liked it, folks. The nastiness of the original is nicely captured. I ain't gonna analyze it because analyzing is all about rationalizing what you can't deal with. Like Gummo, this is the world as others pretend not to see it. But it's in all of our heads all the time. It's just that most of us have it so deeply hidden & buried that we live for shrink & therapist. This would make a nice double bill with Woman Chaser. Long live Thompson & Willeford & David Goodis.

There are a lot of ridiculous elements to this movie, but as a whole it's not campy enough to be entertaining by itself. There's Billy Zane's bizarre tirades: "Commandment One Minus! Verily, the Lord sayeth..." or something like that. And his almost self-parodying arrogance. And his 400-pound wife. And his comically redundant narration of what's happening on the screen. And the sign that misspells the Spanish word "medicina." And the horny female cop. Amusing at times, but pretty slow going--the longest 1:40 I've spent in a while. Probably more enjoyable if you don't try to follow the confusing, almost random "plot."

Interesting movie which communicates the peculiar Jim Thompson world view in a direct, uncluttered fashion. Good, unobtrusive photography. Lots of decadent sex. The anti-hero likes his sister very much.

Dysfunctional characters well played by star actors. Billy Zane is excellent in this film. I can relate to the sometimes irrational logic of the lead actors' observations and actions. Dark humor and snappy lines. Would like to seek out the book it is based on and read it.

This movie is one that will make you think about it days later. I happen to like movies that do that. The acting is superb. This is not a typical movie that has you figuring it out before it happens. Definitely worth watching if you enjoy flicks that have a psychological atmosphere.

This is rather tedious and not my taste at all. Period setting looks stylish but the actors struggle with a clumsy script and obtrusive direction+AMI-