Mark-129

When first released, Gotcha! Was compared to a Hitchcock film, and I agree. A globe trotting spy adventure for college student Anthony Edwards. Its a lot of fun, if underwritten in several important areas, especially in the denouncement. On a trip to France with his best friend, Jonathan Moore is maneuvered by a seductive female agent into being essentially a mule for important information to be sent back to the U. S. via East Germany. The adventure is pretty entertaining, but when Jonathan returns home things become rather pedestrian. The story would have been much better served had the finale taken place in Spain, the destination Jonathan mentioned frequently was where he really wanted to visit.

Despite a really good performance by Robert De Niro, the movie just doesn't work.

It might have been better received in the 90s, but, after 9/11 the mood of the the country changed and there was more of a desire for a bit more heroic fare. Eddie Murphy's sometimes obnoxious performance is not a plus.

Things that bothered me the most. Cop calls for backup. The press gets there long before help. Bad Guys literally shot down a house, police arrive the next day. TV producers take over headquarters to set the stage for the series that would never happen in the real world.

There was a germ of an idea for a buddy cop movie based on COPS that might have worked with a different setup, based more in reality, just like the show it tried to spoof.

As a kid. I would sometimes see this listed on the very late night listings in TV Guide. Enticingly there was always a warning in the description about the adult subject matter. So, it was many years before I happened upon the film on disc and decided to finally explore The World of Suzie Wong.

Its a good picture. The adult themes are tame by today's standards, but quite risque for its time. William Holden does a fine job in the lead and only gets better as the film progresses. Still. I think the role was intended for a younger leading man. Someone trying to find himself in life instead of one trying to change his life. Nancy Kwan does a terrific job with what the script gives her.

Yes, this is a love story. Maybe one not wanted by Robert Lomax, but still one the realized almost too late, was what he was looking for.

So, I'm giving this an 8. Combining a love story with beautiful Hong Kong scenery and locations makes it a must watch for the romantic.