L'impasse sanglante

One thing I always loved about Cohen's scripts is he could always find the smallest hook and exploit the concept to its fullest potential. This is a great example of that with an emphasis on small. Mafia hitman Johnny (Brad Rijn) offs a drug connection in a back alley, but notices a 2-year-old boy saw him. The mob doesn't sit well with this - the "no women, no kids" rule apparently on hold that day - and wants the kid offed before he...baby talks? So Johnny goes about befriending the boy's single mother, Sally (Anne Carlisle), in order to get close to him. Because, you know, saying, "Jesus, guys, the kid is only two and I'm pretty sure he won't identify me in a line up" won't work. It is to Cohen's credit that he can make such a reeeeee-diculous premise last for 90 minutes, but this is not one of King Cohen's best, for sure. There are some admirable parts though. He captures New York City really well and there are some amusing smaller roles (Otto von Wernherr is hilarious as a private eye vit a zick German accent). Cohen also shows some balls as he steals footage during a major feminist rally one NYC night and also has a confrontation between Sally and her ex that clearly no one on the busy streets knew was filming as a crowd gawks at them arguing (look for Cohen cameos in both scenes). In the end, however, it is hard to take the scenario seriously, especially when mafioso types are talking about how to silence a 2-year-old.

New York filmmaker Larry Cohen has certainly made some memorable movies in his career, but "Perfect Strangers" has to be considered a considerable lesser effort by him. It gets off to a promising start, setting up the situation and characters in just a few minutes. Elsewhere in the movie, there are some moments of interesting direction that give the movie an almost documentary-like feeling. However, the majority of the movie is a letdown. After the intriguing beginning, the movie abruptly slows down to a snail-like pace where little to nothing of significance is happening. The relationship between the Brad Rijn and Anne Carlisle is also weak, with too little time showing the growing relationship between the two. (It also doesn't help that each character is each off-screen for a significant amount of time.) The low budget also sinks the movie, with poor cinematography and threadbare production values, including a very dated and cheesy musical score. I got the sense that Cohen's heart really wasn't in this project, despite being the writer as well as director. Skip it.

Greatly enjoyed this low budget film starring Anne Carlisle, (Sally) and Brad Rifin, (Johnny) and a little boy who becomes the real star of the show. This picture opens up with two men going down an alley in New York City and one of them gets knifed to death along with his throat cut from left to right. This is a mob rub out, however, there is an eye witness and the killer sees him face to face. The killer tells his mob bosses about the witness to his crime and that he will search the streets around the area of the killing. Brad Rijin, (Johnny) plays a mobster who meets up with a young gal named Sally, (Anne Carlisle) and the two of them pretty soon start making love, however, Johnny is only using Sally in order to gain her confidence and at the same time kill the witness to his crime. Entertaining film with great scenes of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Twin Towers in the background, rather sad. Enjoy.

"Perfect Strangers" is a thought-provoking thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms. The film tells the story of Johnny, a mafia hitman, who befriends a single mother, Sally, in order to get close to her two-year-old son, who witnessed one of Johnny's hits.

Larry Cohen's direction is impressive, as he weaves together a complex narrative that explores themes of identity, morality, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. The film's use of New York City as a backdrop adds to the gritty realism, and Cohen's ability to capture the city's energy is commendable.

The cast delivers solid performances, with Brad Rijn shining as the charismatic but troubled Johnny. Anne Carlisle brings a sense of vulnerability and determination to the role of Sally, making her a relatable and rootable character.

One of the standout aspects of "Perfect Strangers" is its ability to balance thriller elements with social commentary. Cohen tackles themes such as feminism, identity, and the objectification of women, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

While the film's premise may seem ridiculous at times, Cohen's direction and the cast's performances make it work. The film's pacing is well-balanced, and the tension builds slowly, keeping the viewer engaged.

Overall, "Perfect Strangers" is a unique blend of thriller and social commentary that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its complex characters, gritty realism, and thought-provoking themes, it's a must-watch for fans of Larry Cohen and those looking for a film that will challenge their perspectives.

Some nice shots and a few moments of suspense still don't help Perfect Strangers from dragging a bit too much. It's one of Larry Cohen's more down to earth films without monster babies or blob-like yogurt, but not a lot of the script makes sense and it ends with more of a thud than a bang.