Cul-de-sac

Shame on Dennis Hopper. I really expected more about this film. It makes you feel nothing. It's a VERY slow movie about a dealer who hides in a small town (the ambientation has a lack of characters, apparently in the town only the sheriff and three more people live) and a bunch of cops and dealers trying to find him. In the movie you can't realize who is the good and who is the bad, and worst of all it doesn't really matter. Please, don't waste your time...

If, like me, you scour the video shelves looking for something offbeat, this one is worth checking out. Although there are some nice shoot-outs, the story itself unfolds leisurely, like the small town it takes place in, so that you get to know the characters well, and can therefore identify with them. It's a nice change to see Dennis Hopper playing a non-loony, understated role as a local sheriff, and Mariel Hemingway, who hasn't been seen much in recent years, really shows what good an actress she is when given the chance. Peter Coyote is solid, as always. It might be a low budget film, but you'd never know it from the acting and writing.

Not a great movie but a good one. The story line was a bit more unusual than expected. I liked the way the tension was created between the sheriff and the newcomer and the way that was resolved. I enjoyed the two town oldsters - just enough light relief without being too comical and detracting from the main plot. I didn't quite grasp how all the baddies knew the destination town but that could be something I just didn't pick up on rather than an omission in the script. I didn't think it was too violent at all. Given the situation and story line, the level of violence was appropriate. It was entertaining; compelling, and the acting was very good to excellent. I liked it.

By the time you read my comments I am reasonably sure that you have read the plot outline and know that Dennis Hopper is an erratic genius who makes as many turkeys as he does brilliant films.

This is neither. This is simply a good, entertaining movie with fine performances by the entire cast, especially the very underrated Peter Coyote.

This won't tax your mind nor will it bore you. Get a beer or a soda and some popcorn and relax. It is worth renting or taping for a friend.

**** I give it a B or 4 stars out of 6.

This has all the makings of a classic but for the gratuitous violence and some unnecessary type casting. The two best roles belong to Chris Sarandon and Peter Coyote's partner. Sarandon's is the pivotal performance that holds the film together and gives it its compelling quality. It's a strong, human, and very unusual role, which would have been made even more convincing if Hopper and Hemmingway were fuller, more serious, and less stereotypical (both have good moments, though). Despite its weaknesses, this is still a good find--if over the top automatic weapon fire doesn't spoil it for you).