Customer Reviews

Truth Or Consequences Nm [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This interesting road movie/ crime drama is a worthwile directional debut for Kiefer Sutherland, a gripping low budget effort that easily stands above many disposable mainstream action blockbusters. The story brings nothing new, consisting in another heist situation where we are presented to a bunch of criminals and their operations. What makes the movie work is the character development, since these criminals are three-dimensional individuals and the viewer actually gets to know them as flawed people and not merely one-sided badass charicatures. Sutherland gets some ideas from a couple of Tarantino and Roger Rodriguez` films, going for the young-villains-on-the-run perspective with some witty and offbeat scenes, but overall he makes it work despite these influences. The acting is overall consistent, with Sutherland himself, infant terrible Vincent Gallo, Kevin Pollack and Kim Dickens. Even if it`s not terribly original, "Truth or Consequences N.M." works well as a whole and doesn`t seem like a rehash of previous ideas (even if it presents some predictable moments).
An enticing, character-driven gangster-movie.

Jude Cole's beautiful song Heaven's Last Attempt plays perfectly to the opening scene. Other great music by The Outlaws, Van Morrison, Vibrolush and The Allman Bros. to name a few. The movie itself doesn't always work though just to see the always great Kiefer Sutherland as "Curtis" let loose in a wild, drug-fueled dance to Foghat's Cheteau Lafitte '59 Boogie would make it worth viewing. Fortunatly Kiefer delivers more than just a dance. Though Curtis is a sociopath, you can't help but like him because of the perfectly delivered comedic moments that Kiefer gives him. Vincent Gallo, Kim Dickens and Kevin Pollak are all great as well.

I'm not usually big on road movies:bad guys botch-up a heist and spend at least the next 80 minutes on the road.Man is this one different, okay still the same starting point but that's about it.I rented this one as soon as it came out being such a huge kiefer sutherland fan and it just blew me away even though I saw it with the always awful french dubbing (yeah that was the pre-dvd era).
So as I said I don't usually go for road movies because they tend to be good for 5 minutes at the beginnig and the end, the rest of the time fighting against the urge to sleep, but this one kept me gripped all the way:good acting, great caracters, good directing, what more do you want.
Tonight I will finally watch it with Kiefer's uncomparable voice (god bless the guys who invented the dvd format, but if I ever find the guy who got the idea of dubbing for international sales...)

Overall I thought the movie was great! It possesses a decent story line as action movies go with some dramtical parts that burst into fist clenching action. Keifer Sutherland played a great psycho. The affection that the main character has for his girlfriend seems somewhat misplace at times but absolutly necesary for the great ending. I recommend watching this movie at least once.

Truth or consequences was well done for this type of hard core movie. Very gritty and true to life. It showed just how people like this can get deeper and deeper in a bad situation and how hard it is to get out of it. Kiefer did a great job of showing the human side of the lead characters and weaving in some comedic lines and situations that helped make the true grittiness of the story more tolerable. He also did an excellent job playing the low life "Curtis." Although I would have rather seen him play the lead guy, of which he would have done perfectly, since he's such a versatile actor. But all the actors did a great job in their parts. If you can't handle violent, gritty, reality movies, I don't recommend this. Otherwise, this is for you.
In reference to the above review: "Good first try"--- If you knew your facts, you'd know that Kiefers' Directorial debut was a wonderful human interest movie called "Woman Wanted." Since these movies are so completely opposite of each other, it proves that just like the excellent versatile Actor that he is, he can also Direct anything, and do an excellent job! Thanx for listening.

This movie was facinating, because it is hard to imagine that in the short span of time the viewer has while watching a movie, that the viewer could feel they knew so much about so many characters. It was just an incredibly written story PLUS add on to that...the cast. Keifer was so intense, so fun to watch. His character is definitely not someone you would wish to meet in real life, but definitly enjoyable to watch. Throw in one little twist in the story for fun...and the ending is something to see.

For anyone who likes Kiefer Sutherland this movie is a must to own. I was not only impressed with his character but equally impressed with his dirceting of this film. Actually, I feel this is one the best rolls I have seen him perform.

a true love story-that i won't give away - this on is a tear jerker and keifer sutherland is a very disturbed character-must see!

I've liked the movie since it came out and I hadn't seen it in a while, still seems to be one ofthe best drug buying and fail selling movies there is

Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico was a good movie. But by 1997 when this movie came out people are just tired of all the post Tarantino-espe movies. This had the basic plot, robbery gone bad, Criminals fight with each other, one of the guys is an undercover cop, Mob wants them, FBI want them, and of course one of the mob guys is a deranged psycho (Martin Sheen in this movie) and of course the big shoot out at the end.

The action and violence is really well done. Opening shoot out and the ending shootout is great and really makes up for the rehash plot.

Vincent Gallo was just wrong for the part. He isn't a great actor to begin with, but you just didn't care for him or the love
of he had for his girlfriend. The closing sequence just didn't get me as it should have.

Martin Sheen is not believable as "Psycho finger cutting" Mob main bag man. You just could not take this scene seriously.

Rod Steiger has as a small role as a crime boss and puts on a scene stealing performance.

Worth renting, but not worth putting in your collection. If you like gory shootouts then this movie is for you though.