Cat Chaser

Despite having some notable people in the roles of writer, director, and actor, "Cat Chaser" was never given a theatrical release. It may have been because Vestron Pictures was always struggling when it came to releasing its movies since it never had as much money as the major studios had when it came to marketing and distribution. But I think the real reason for the movie going direct to video is that it isn't very good overall. Not everything about the movie is bad - the acting (especially by Charles Durning) is decent. But the movie ultimately sinks due to a combination of unspectacular locations (which are also flatly photographed) and a story that after the first twenty minutes makes very little sense afterwards. The trivia section says the rough cut ran 157 minutes - obviously A LOT of explanation was taken away in the editing room. If I ever get the chance to see the 157 minute version someday, I'll give the movie another chance. Until then, this is a movie to avoid.

Strong performance from McGillis still doesn't help this confusing thriller from Abel Ferrera. In the unrated version, there is a scene with McGillis in bed where she is asked to strip down nude. When asked to lie down on the bed, her captor takes out a revolver and places it in a sensitive place. It's a horrific image to imagine what could happen but Ferera is known for pushing the envelope.

Story is so flat as to be practically catatonic

acting flat and wooden McGillis and Weller dull as dishwater here

Charles Dunning often inaudible speech off-putting .... why mumble when you could speak; does it make you sound more of a villain?

The historical point about US barging into Dominican Republic to stave off one more communist island a shameful chapter in an endless history of shameful chapters

... and yet and yet there is a charm here ... maybe the locale maybe Elmore maybe The Dominican vibe ... ha maybe Chick Corea playing the score ... maybe just 80s Noir special charm

a sort of bad version of Graham Greene on the corner of Raymond Chandler (hey i have just summarized Leonard here)

not a great film but not awful ... might watch it again see if i can understand more of Dunning this time ,... collecting 80s Noir US on VHS of late just because we can :)

PS someone was saying they did not know what Cat Chaser referred to: It was the name of his platoon/unit in 65. (sez so in the book)

PS 2 got intrigued by the story so got the book Leonard wrote and adapted for scenario with co-writer. Turns out they stayed REALLY CLOSE to the book; even lifting entire conversations practically verbatim Really enjoying the book AFTER the film as I can see scenes from the film whilst reading ...

It took many years before an Elmore Leonard book was given celluloid justice - Jackie Brown. However, this is a brave stab mainly thanks to an interesting cast, notably a sleazy Charles Durning in an unusual role.

It takes all of about five minutes to realise that this is not a Ferrara movie, the Direction is haphazard and uninspiring. Weller does his best but the character is so one-dimensional, he becomes a supporting character in his own movie. This movie has a lot of promise and deserves a revisit, casting maybe a George Clooney, Alec Baldwin or Val Kilmer in the Moran role.

File under forgettable Eighties thriller.

It's no secret that "Cat Chaser" was taken away from director Abel Ferrara and slapped together by committee right around the time of the Vestron bankruptcy. Consequently, Ferrara has disavowed this film. But he shouldn't. While it has some murky plotting, no doubt due to the re-editing, it's quite an interesting, evocative adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. Ferrara always impresses with his sharp direction, and the wonderful art direction really captures the feel of sleazy bars, motel rooms, and the Dominican Republic. Peter Weller is fine, Kelly McGillis is quite uninhibited in her numerous nude scenes, and it's fun to hear Charles Durning pronounce "toilet" as "tur-let." "Cat Chaser" is a lost treasure from the late 80's worthy of rediscovery and a director's edition DVD.