Lies and Illusions - Intrighi e bugie

I could understand if this was a funny crime film where all the villains are cartoonish bumblers. This is played for real. We have Slater, a con-author who tells everyone how to run their lives but has made a ruin of his own. He runs afoul of Gooding, playing a prissy, effeminate, yet somehow feared smuggler of all kinds of stuff and his gang of over-age thugs. The head thug is a dead ringer for Patrick Troughton, the second actor to play Dr. Who. As such its hard to take him too seriously. The others are kind of old to be slapping people around. Yet, this gang is talented: they manage to shoot people, beat up men and women savagely, shoot up a hotel, crash their car, all in broad daylight and in public without attracting the attention of a single cop. And, like the evil killer in a slasher movie, they are unstoppable. No matter how fast or where Slater runs, how well he hides, how many people are witnesses, the crooks always catch him and beat him up. After a while the chase scenes become pointless since you know Slater is doomed from the start. And no matter how savagely he or his girlfriends are thrashed, a minute later they are just fine, broken ribs and fractured jaws forgotten, with maybe a little cut on the forehead to address. If the film had been played as a take-off on other gangster films, it could have been funny and entertaining. As it is, it's a plot hole ridden mess. Maybe I'm too critical. Others seem to enjoy it.

Firstly, until now I have refrained from reviewing most films on IMDb, including many that I've really enjoyed.....but I feel that I cannot let this film escape without comment. I can't believe Slater even considered doing this film, as I've enjoyed many of his films in the past, & this really isn't any where near his normal standards. Every aspect of the film, sadly including the acting, is awful - the directing, the editing, the so called special effects & the pathetic attempt of using embarrassing 'one-liners' to try & give it a comedy feel........ Absolutely awful - & hopefully I can put people off spending their valuable time viewing it!! Please choose carefully before accepting any more work Mr. Slater.........

This is a very poor film indeed and is not recommended if you have alternative choices. Cant fault Chrstian Slater, he acts impeccably, it is just he must work with a very below average script with some really cheesy and ineffective dialogue. There is no real continuity or coherency in the movie and there is no realism to the diamond dealings at all, the two women are just two charlies angels out of context. Sure there is action and thrills but nothing bolts together at all and you WILL leave the cinema or the DVD room DISAPPOINTED. thankfully its not a long movie and its over before it starts. The potential plot actually is very good, shame nobody worked on it before taking it to the big screen. Oh yes, was there a director for this film? I notice a name but doubt any professional contribution.

There are movies that are so bad that, after a short while, I just stop watching and move on. This one had Slater and Gooding who, given what little they had to work with, made it somewhat bearable for me although the script had Slater doing such stupid things that the whole thing was idiotic. They tried to make it somewhat humorous but they really should have gone all the way and made it a spoof of thrillers. Screenplay stunk. Direction was awful. Editing so so (although probably not given much to work with). Would never have completed watching it if Gooding and Slater weren't in it.

If you absolutely have nothing else to do, go ahead and waste some time. Otherwise, much better things to do.

I watched it in segments because I couldn't sit through it in one sitting. My wife asks me why I do it. I tell her: "to appreciate the good movies that much more" that I see.

I really wasn't sure whether this was supposed to be a comedy or action flick. Writer Wes Wilson (Christian Slater) falls head over heels for Samantha (Sarah Ann Schultz). Before they get married, she is kidnapped by Isaac (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). Seems she didn't tell Wes all about her past.

Wes has this thing about fast relationships because he soon is shacking with a magazine writer Nicole (Christa Campbell).

Slater seemed to be having a good time; well, he was with Christa Campbell, but Gooding was the main man here. He was just so cool throughout.

Now, Wes might pick another subject to write about as he clearly is not good with relationships.

Things clearly become cartoonish in Spokane. So, maybe this is a comedy after all.

The ending was funny, but it had nothing to do with the story.

I'm just glad to see Campbell in a more meaty role.