12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
What's not to like?, January 23, 2001
This likeable, harmless Kathleen Turner vehicle is one of those films that most "name" critics have viciously attacked for no logical reasons (critics seem to be as frequently susceptible amongst themselves to "herd mentality" as the rest of us po' ignorant movin' pitcher watchin' folk). Turner's "V.I. Warshawski" is a very credible "tough broad" character,treading the fine line between sexiness and surliness with skill and style. Granted, the predictable, standard-issue plot of this detective thriller is a minus, but the appealing cast and Turner's charisma carry the day. If you are a fan of the Warshawski books (or J.A. Jance and Sue Grafton's female detective stories)you'll find the mood and atmosphere of the film quite true to the genre.If your name is Leonard Maltin, take a pill and just relax.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leonard Maltin strikes out., December 7, 1999
I have no idea what movie Maltin saw, but I enjoyed every moment of this film. I am a Turner fan, and a V.I. fan but do not enjoy truely bad movies. This was not a truely bad movie or a "boo-boo". It was funny and presented the characters well. Read the books, Maltin. I wish they had continued the series, I would buy them all.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvelous detective movie!, March 6, 2003
This review is from: V.I. Warshawski (DVD)
Fans of Sara Paretsky's heroine, V.I. Warshawski will enjoy the clever one-liners tossed off so well by Kathleen Turner. The character's wise-girl bravura is sometimes at odds with Turner's soft beauty, but the actor does some very convincing martial arts moves not usually associated with her past performances. It's fascinating to watch how fast and furious Ms. Turner can be in these scenes!
The plot features a 13 old kid whose father is murdered. Warshawski reluctantly allows the girl to accompany her on the investigation. The young actress playing the daughter wins over Warshwaski, and the hunt begins in earnest to discover who killed her daddy.
Readers of the detective series will spot many of the recurring characters from Paretsky's books, most notably Lottie and Murray. There is the disappointing exception of Mr. Contreras, who is given a tiny role and bears no resemblance to the character in the novels. His usual paternal advice and counsel is handled instead by Charles Durning as the police investigator who grudgingly helps V.I.
I liked this movie and highly recommend that you get yourself a copy -- mostly for Turner's shining screen presence. She may not be the most obvious choice for portraying V.I., but she keeps you enthralled in every scene with her great sense of humor and tough tenacity. It would have been wonderful if this movie had been turned into a series. After the movie ended, I wanted to see more!
The video quality is excellent and was taken from an outstanding print, so you get your money's worth with the DVD version.
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