Delusion

Delusion is not a bad rendition of modern film noir, but it could be a WHOLE lot better if the characters in this movie were not so stupid, particularly the main character.

The jist of it is that a head executive of a computer company makes off with a hefty amount of cash after a company takeover. On his way to Reno, he runs into two very strange people who claim they need a lift to town. As it turns out, these people were expecting him because one of them have a contract out on the executive's life.

I say the characters are idiots because, and this especially goes for the main character (the executive), there is always ample opportunity for either one to kill another (there are many time when the executive and his hired killer both have guns to each other's heads) or for one person to get away (particularly the girl who's joined up with the killer. Except, no one ever seems to take that very fortunate opportunity, and so it becomes a very frustrating story to watch, knowing that the plot only continues because of idiotic hesitancy. I blame the writers for that, trying to fill in the wholes with impractical luck. Good modern film noir may give a slight opportuntity for getting away, but if the person decides to take it very quickly, they should be met with resistance equally quickly.

The story is nothing new. It's pretty much about a few cold-hearted murderers and one sleazy executive after a trunkload of cash, each pushed to the limit on what they're willing to do for the money. Typical film noir material.

But I think for many to enjoy this one, you'd just have to like trash crime and mystery tales, or enjoy the actors who appear in the film.

I looked around this web site and saw nothing that points out that Delusion is only available on VHS, which does the typical pan and scan butchering job on it. This is a widescreen film that can only been seen in widescreen on laserdisc. Remember laserdisc? This site used to be dedicated to it. Anyway, I think some are overrating this movie. Its not a bad film, its just not the masterpiece its being made out to be. Delusion does have that lonely highway thriller feel and some kooky characters, one of them being the very sexy Jennifer Rubin who's body is made for the cinema. The entertainment is in waiting for the next twist on the hot open road film locales. It's mostly B movie actors performing slightly above the norm, and that's where the freshness lies. Don't forget to sit through the credits if you want to see the further sexiness of Jennifer Rubin as she dances to a wicked cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walk'in".

Delusion is a smart piece of work from director Carl Copaert that takes us on an intense journey through the desert of Death Valley. There are some questionable turns that don't seem logical, but for the most part, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. It involves a computer/embezzler and his experiences after giving a Las Vegas show girl and her strange acting boyfriend a lift. The ending will surprise you.

Delusion is successful not for the plot or storyline; nor for the dialogue in the film, but for the interesting development of the three main characters. One is a businessman who is embezzling money to make an investment in Reno, a second is a quirky young woman who is sexually attractive, and the third is the young woman's Pitt/DeCaprio lookalike, who is supposedly a professional hitman (I think not). Depending on the goodwill of a passerby is not exactly the best plan for a hit. The film is very entertaining, and a lot of fun, but much of it makes very little sense. This is supposed to be why the film is interesting; because it makes little sense. It has a bit of Tarrantino element, and there is a bit of a satisfaction at the end, but the plot has more holes than Death Valley. First of all, there really is no protagonist to root for. All three of the major characters are lowlifes and relatively despicable. However, one is a corporate lowlife, while the other two are just your normal run of the mill white trash lowlifes. Of all three, the young woman is about the only one that has any type of moral structure; however loose it may be. The corporate character is relatively uninteresting and boring, and the hit man is way over the top. So what you have is pretty much a mess that is like watching a 20 car pileup. You can't take your eyes off of it, but it is really just a big mess. But it is fun to watch.

An entertaining late-night film (I found myself watching it at 1a.m. one night) with twists and turns a-plenty in the plot.

A computer whiz (Jim Metzler) who faces redundancy, is driving through the desert, fleeing with a vast sum of embezzled company funds, when he is duped into picking up a curious but seemingly harmless young couple (Kyle Secor and Jennifer Rubin) - unaware that, amongst other things, the seemingly goofy boyfriend is actually a professional killer hired to kill him. From there, things take numerous turns far too complex to attempt explaining here, but sufficient to say, there's a plot twist awaiting around every corner.

Just as the film sets out to follow one scenario - each of which would usually be sufficient for the entire plot of a late night film of this genre - suddenly things are turned on their head and the story takes a different direction. Don't pop out to get a drink else you'll miss a vital turn and spend ages trying to catch up with whats happening!

The cast is mostly unknown (seen performing in other B-movies at most) but don't be put off, as each of the leads deliver solid, watchable performances.

Things begin to get a little shaky an hour or so in, with the late stages of the film maybe not as good as early on, but not enough to damage the film overall.

All-in-all, for what this film is - essentially a late-night B-movie - its above average compared to many of its counterparts, thanks to good performances and the twist-a-minute plot.