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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark, Menacing, and Ambiguous, March 5, 2004
To me, this film is even more impressive today than it was when I first saw it. Frankly, when seeing it 20 years ago, I was thrown off-balance by the character whom Eastwood plays, Wes Block, a police detective in New Orleans. He pursues a serial killer of prostitutes, a psychopath with whom he seems to share similar psycho-sexual preoccupations. Presumably this was a risky part for Eastwood to take on. Under skillful but deferential direction by Richard Tuggle, he explores with great skill certain depraved tendencies within himself which were much more shocking in 1984 than they seem to be, regrettably, two decades later. Block's personal situation is complicated even more by the fact that he a single parent, raising two daughters. It is also important to remember that his personal conduct creates the risk of compromising his professional integrity as a law enforcement officer. For these and other reasons, Block is a much more enigmatic character than, for example, Harry ("what you see is what you get") Callahan.
In the role of Beryl Thibodeaux, Genevieve Bujold portrays a criminal psychologist who is attracted to Block as they work together even as she begins to sense and then contend with at least some of the demons which torment him. So much of this film occurs (both literally and symbolically) in darkness. Even a trained professional such as Thibodeaux is frustrated in her attempts to understand someone for whom she feels sincere affection. Special credit should be given to Bruce Surtees for superb cinematography which is coordinated seamlessly with the often depressing storyline. He had worked with Eastwood in previous films which include Dirty Harry (1971), Play Misty for Me (also 1971), Pale Rider (1975), and The Outlaw Josie Wales (1976). The supporting cast is excellent, notably Eastwood's own daughter Alison who plays Amanda Block in the film, and Dan Hadeya as Detective Molinari. Eventually, after the serial killer kidnaps Amanda, her distraught and enraged father pursues her to a riveting conclusion when....
Others are much better qualified than I to express this opinion but I think Wes Block is a character which begins a new transition for Eastwood the actor. Thereafter, the characters he plays tend to be of the "sadder but wiser" variety, much less self-assured, more fatalistic in their view of the world, skeptical and sometimes cynical, reluctant to trust anyone or anything, and are -- for me, therefore -- much more interesting. This is an especially upsetting film which has lost little (if any) of its dramatic impact. Twenty years after its initial release and probably because I have become a grandfather, there are certain situations in Tightrope which are even more upsetting now than ever before.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark, underrated Eastwood masterpiece, May 18, 2005
This Eastwood film portrays a much darker view of life than previous Eastwood efforts. A very suspenseful and gripping film. In it, Eastwood plays Detective Wes Block. Block is pursuing a serial killer who is murdering prostitutes in the seedy underside of New Orleans. Block finds himself strangely drawn into this underworld and walking the "tightrope" between right and wrong, good and evil, as he balances his search for the killer. Meanwhile, his behavior eerily shadows the killer's deviant pursuits quite often leaving the viewer gasping in shock.
In the role of a rape counselor is Genevieve Bujold, as Beryl Thibodeaux. An excellent counterbalance to Block, she plays on the tightrope, too. We watch as his tendency towards the lurid develops, yet her job is one of comforter and defender of those who are victems of violence and also to prevent violence against women. Their attraction creates an interesting tension during the film.
Another interesting feature of "Tightrope" is how it shows the difficulty Wes Block faces raising two daughters as a single father, especially given the nature of his job. Eastwood's real-life daughter, Alison, plays one of the daughters in this film. Without giving away too much of the plot, I should say that mentally and physically there is some threat to the family.
Overall, I would say that this film is one of Eastwood's best efforts, although it has been somewhat overlooked. For true Eastwood fans, I feel it is truly worth watching. Highest ratings.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Should have been Clint Eastwood's first acting oscar nomination, February 2, 2006
Anybody who thinks Clint Eastwood gave his finest acting performances in "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby" should see this film, released in 1984. At the time, his acting talent was not as respected as it is now, which is why I think this film did not get the critical acclaim it should have.
Clint gives a flat out amazing performance as a police officer investigating the murder of prostitutes in red light new orleans while also exploring his own disturbing appetites for kinky sex.
The film is deceptive. It starts out as what seems to be a typical cop thriller but quickly evolves into something much deeper and multilayered. Clint shows an emotional complexity all the more extraordinary because of its subtlety. It should have easily been his first acting oscar nod.
Also worth noting is that this is one of the best films ever filmed in New Orleans. It excellently captures the unique flavor and ambience of the city. (something all the more precious in this post katrina era)
Alison Eastwood , clint's real life daughter, also gives an amazing performance for a child actor. She should have been awarded more plum parts during that period of her life because of it. It was easily jodie foster- dakota fanning level.
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