Run Off

I do not care what other users say, this was a good movie. The acting was superb, the directing was on target, and the photography was absolutely beautiful. A fitting soundtrack, a very sufficient cast, and quality transition between short-story and screen. Winona Ryder and Lukas Haas give a chemistry that you cannot find in many movies these days, especially with youth actors. Ok, Granted- that the story builds up and then lets you off to a bad explanation and dull outcome, the ride up to the climax was marvelous. I voted this movie an 8, and anyone who devoutly disagrees can go take a film making course and actually learn to critique.

Patty Vare (Winona Ryder) hurts herself falling off of a horse. Prep school students Murphy and Cooke find her unconscious and tell older kid John Baker Jr (Lukas Haas). Baker brings her to his dorm after she refused hospital or going home. Rumors spread that there's a girl. Officer Kellogg Curry (John C. Reilly) is investigating Patty. He's looking for a stolen car and the missing Bud Valentine (Skeet Ulrich).

First, it's not romantic to sneak an unconscious girl into your dorm room. She suffered a concussion and he doesn't get her medical treatment. It's more than creepy and not cute at all. Lukas Haas is borderline sleazy with his creepy smile. The other problem is that her secret is rather disappointing. It really needs to be some crazy murder that's she's responsible for or something at that level. It's not dark enough and this movie is definitely not romantic.

I was skeptical, as many others may have been, before I saw this movie. The idea of a teenager finding a damsel in distress did seem a little immature. However, the simple plot is mapped out very well. The events in this film occur in a logical manner, and as always Lukas and Winona's acting is superb.

I even found the secondary characters realistic. This is really one of those movies that keeps on giving. I have seen it about four times over the years, and each time I have caught another subtle detail that made me realize how well this was made.

I would not, however, recommend this movie to anyone who must see high action to enjoy a movie. There is quite a bit of dialogue, and you won't hear much noise in the background. And I must comment on the soundtrack, lighting, and clothing of this movie, which really add to the mood.

The main characters in this movie both want to escape from their current situations, and I found myself wanting to escape with them. You should definitely catch this one.

"Boys" tells a flimsy story to which Cochran tries to add mystery by keeping information from the audience and revealing it piecemeal via flashback. Cheap shot. Ryder is found unconscious, after being thrown from horseback, by a boarding school student (Haas) who takes her to his room (yeah, right), instead of the obvious choice, the hospital. You know, HOSPITAL...where you take injured people for professional medical care. Duh. Anyway, this dumbassed flick has a list of negatives too long to go into here. File "Boys" in the boys room and don't forget to flush. (D)

Let me begin by saying, I love Winona. I think she's great. This movie is just terrible though. It's boring, slow and forgettable. Her performance is really bad. She looks tired, bored, fed up - her heart just wasn't in this one. Compared to her *fantastic* efforts in Heathers, Mermaids, Reality Bites, Little Women et al, this is just tripe. The "romance" between her and Lukas Haas is unbelievable and awkward and there's zero chemistry, the scenes in the dormitory are boring, I just can't name any redeeming features except for the beautiful Maryland scenery. And there's a scene where there's all this Spanish being spoken and NO sub-titles. Ridiculous. I know some people enjoyed this movie and I respect that, but if you decided to see this thinking it'd be another Winona classic, forget it. Oh, and as for the "mystery" of "What's up with Patty?", well, by the time we find out, I really didn't care anymore. Sorry Winona, you CAN and HAVE done MUCH better than this. 1.5 stars (for the scenery). May be of interest to some to see Christopher Pettiet in one of his final roles before his untimely death.