Fait Accompli

Fait Accompli or (Voodoo Dawn) depending on where you live in the world, is a much under valued dark thriller starring an excellent cast for 1998. Michael Madsen, Balthazar Getty, James Russo and the ever excellent Rosanna Arquette star in a brooding, dark and mysterious thriller that in its better moments recalls Alan Parkers 1987 classic 'Angel Heart'. Madsen has a natural charisma that holds the attention whenever he's on screen, and Getty's intensity coupled with Arquette's quirkiness makes for an intoxicating viewing set amongst the swampy voodoo driven plot. Worth seeking out on DVD.

"Voodoo Dawn" is a not-too-thrilling thriller. Michael Madsen stars as Frank, who is let out of prison after a curse is set upon him. He wants to reclaim his status as a bar owner. But the voodoo curse won't let him... As you can see, the plot is minimal, and as the movie progresses, it gets even smaller.

Madsen and Arquette try, but can't get anything out of this except a paycheck. James Russo plays a washed up hick. If that the character or him in real life, I couldn't tell. Madsen has been in better Direct-to-Video productions like "Supreme Sanction" or "Executive Target". Rosanna Arquette is one of the better Arquettes, but she needs to pick out better material. I like all the actors involved, But I wish they put their efforts into something more worthwhile next time.

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This movie was lost in its own voodoo curse. The script made no sense. Actors were given long emotional speeches to which no one else on the screen responded to or gave any hint of listening. They just seemed to be waiting their turn. Scenes bounced around without any rhyme or reason. Characters took actions with as much thought as a zombee. I started the movie because I hadn't heard of it and it featured a talented cast. I finished the movie only to see if I could find one redeeming quality. There was none.

As previous comments have noted, this has hints that it could have been a serious, superior thriller, what with the talented cast and some quite good writing in-the-small. But the story lines never really cohere and it finally makes no real impact.

I don't know what to say about this film, I realy like "Michael Madsen" as an actor but this film dident seem to go anywhere, but I still enjoyed it, but only watch it if your a "Madsen" fan otherwize you mite want to give it the flick.

6 and a half/10