Who Is Cletis Tout?

Not a bad film at all. Considering some of the rubbish that makes big money this was smart enough to keep me interested. Obviously the flashback driven structure is a bit predictable and cheesy, but I have seen way dumber films this year. I don't know about Tim Allen's casting though - it wasn't a disaster but it didn't quite do the business for me. Kudos to him for playing against type, but he was too warm for what is by definition a muderous criminal (I think Nicholas Cage or Robert Duvall might have nailed this part). Overall this could have been much worse,, ( imagine Ms. J Roberts as the love interest.) The plot was fine if a little contrived, and the constant movie references wore a bit thin presented as they were. Competent enough though, it a pity that it didn't have have a bit more je n'est ce quio. Still more challenging than the recent skywalker ranch product if you're in the video store

WHO IS CLETUS TOUT is one of those movies that is surprisingly better than expectations will allow. Christian Slater plays a con who gets mistaken for a man wanted by the mob, and Tim Allen is a hitman who needs a reality check. There's a lot of chuckles to be had, and the film as a whole works.

6 out of 10

I have avoided this movie since the day it came out, firstly it had Tim Allen in it, second that poster looked hideous and thirdly it was an ensemble piece. It just looked stupid, I had heard it was good, but the name, the poster and the Tim Allen thing all made me walk past this movie over and over again in the video store. So finally I get it out, and from the two mafia guys talking about deliverance right through till the end I love this movie.

This is a movie about movie clichés, but it tells the story in such a way that you could watch even more clichés and still enjoy it. Slater was good, not true romance good, but good, Connolly is great, but the man who steals the shop is Allen who is the funniest hit-man since Grosse Point Blank (Aykroyd or Cusack). And not only is Allen funny, but he holds the movie together in what is by far the toughest role.

I cannot believe more people have not seen this movie. This is a cult classic all about films, I think every movie junkie out there should see this movie right now. I don't know why the director isn't getting work after this (other than its failure to make any money), but I urge any future directors to look this man up and give him some cash.

If you're reading this review, ignore this movie no further.

I almost avoided this flick because the title didn't do anything for me. That may have been what happened to it when it was in general release because it sank pretty quickly. A movie-buff friend of mine recommended it, so I put it on my Netflix list and finally popped it into the player.

Cletis Tout turned out to be great fun. I enjoyed the interwoven flashbacks and the comments made by Critical Jim (played by Tim Allen). Christian Slater plays a take-off on his usual slimy lying characters by playing a crook who tells the truth.

It helps to have seen some of the movies that Critical Jim riffs on as Finch's story unfolds, but that's not completely necessary. Pop a bottle of wine with a couple of friends some Friday night and enjoy this movie.

* NO POSSIBLE SPOILERS .. *

I'll skip the plot outline part and go right ahead to the comments.

This movie reminded me a bit "The Usual Suspects". Not that the movie has the same plot or it tries to copy "The Usual Suspects", but it had a similar vibe - how the story unwraps itself and goes together. Not that the end was surprising or spectacular, but how smoothly everything is running.

The actors are all good. None of them disappoint or annoy. If you can manage to take them out from their usual roles i.e Portia de Rossi as an Sub-Zero Nell in Ally McBeal and Tim Allen as Santa Claus etc, then you might even have a pleasant surprise. Supporting cast is believable, even the bad guys.

This movie is not for people who love bloody action, laughing your head off or deep plots. It's an easy movie for an easy watching. When you feel that watching Anderson's "Magnolia" is will be too tiring or "Road Trip" just too stupid, then go for "Who is Cletis Tout?". The best way is to watch this movie without and special expectations or prejudices. This way you have nothing to disappoint in.

If you take this movie as just a movie then most likely you will like it. I think it is worth seeing and worth spending your 1,5 hours on it.

My rating: 7/10.