Chicago Joe and the Showgirl

I've been watching quite a few ho-hum films lately and this one doesn't quite reach even that status.

We are first assured that this movie is 100% factual, and I guess it came close. I see how the story of a criminal couple on a short crime spree sold tabloid newspapers, but it just didn't make an interesting movie. It aspires to a forties look, but is too ninetiesh for me.

The acting is okay, but no outstanding performances. Directing...well, not very good. Scrept's sorta blah.

There's maybe one good though lurid scene in this and that isn't enough to make sitting through the movie to see.

Perhaps I shouldn't be commenting on this film, as I couldn't sit through the entire showing. I rented this movie, because I am always drawn to movies of the 40's/50's era. Well, that was a mistake. Should have learned my lesson with Mulholland Falls, but this one took "bad" movie to a whole new level.

There's not much to say about this movie, except "avoid at all costs".

USA army deserter Kiefer Sutherland bites off more than he can chew in London during World War II with femme fatale Emily Lloyd in this drama/thriller, as she 'inspires' him to commit various crimes together which eventually leads up to murder. It's true folks... sometimes the more homely and dull girls ARE the best ones to start a home with.

Apparently based on a real life case, the criminal couple here ain't exactly Bonnie And Clyde. For a start, their chemistry feels more mandated by the film than a genuine connection, and their illegal acts are too long and drawn out to be exciting, both before and during.

Take their first 'homicide' involving a young female hitchhiker as a duo... the build-up to it is torturous rather than exciting, and the end result is actually more funny than disturbing. Not what was intended for sure.

I have no problems with the acting here, as both leads give it their all (especially Lloyd) and there's also a great supporting cast of British actors who were pretty big at the time. I was also somewhat satisfied by the ending, even if it was predictable based on what we'd seen.

In fact, as an intimate snapsnot of life near the end of the war, I'd say it does its job with something to spare. As a rigorous expose of what drove this murderous pair to carry out their short-lived career as lawbreakers, it falls somewhat short of the mark.

More 'bull' than 'bullseye', I'm afraid. 5/10.

I am a big fan of Kefer Sutherland and i have seen most of his movies but its hard to get some because Australia has not got his old ones on DVD or video but i found this gem of a movie on video at an op shop for $1 so i bought it and went home and watched it.This movies about a true story about a man (Sutherland) who is in the army and he meets a woman (Emily Lloyd) in war torn London in 1944 and together they become a deadly twosome.The first half an hour of this movie was a bit boring but the other hour was good and this movie is way under rated its not a 4.4 its at least a 6.Over all this this movie was good and Kefer Sutherland Does a great job at acting in this movie and my rating is 6 out of 10.

I don't understand why most people don't like the film or even find it boring! It is one of my favorite films! I admit I don't know much about the true case, but I can tell you about the film as a fictional story: It is one of the most atmosperic films I know. The pictures are great. London's empty streets at night in wartime... the art directing really gives you the feeling of the time and place. The music, often pieces by Benny Goodman are brilliantly used to support situations and also of course is historically very well fitting. The dance scene is the most intense swing dance scene I have ever seen on film and I have seen all the Fred Astaire movies! The directing is very interesting and a bit experimental. It gives you a brilliant view into the inside of the characters. Georgina dreaming about fame and adventure likes to see "Ricky" as a really cool gangster, and herself with him as his stylish girl in his elegant car, -so we suddenly see them like that. It's an interessting and thrilling effect, not at last because especially Kiefer plays beautyfull with his charakter and the different ways he can be seen by Georgy, his actual girlfriend or the viewer. Also you get a really strong connection to Kiefer's character. I really started to feel sick and associated with him, feeling the nightmare, that he was in. Georgy is well played too, you get her childish curiosity and passion for danger, adventure and power, which is kind of charming at first, but then you also see her through "Ricky's" eyes as a demonic, dangerous killer, that is disgusting and terrifying in the same way as seductive. Even I, as being a woman can totally understand his conflict and the nightmare he is going through. I can not understand how this film can bore someone, I think it is a real treasure!