Sans pitié

(1986) No Mercy THRILLER

Chicago cop, Eddie Jillette (Richard Gere) trying to nab criminal mastermind for killing his partner in cold blood, but he has to resort to find and locate the witness first who happens to be a hostess, by the name of Michel Duval (Kim Basinger) who's somewhere in New Orleans. The implausible set up is used only as a backdrop to the New Orleans environment, which includes the parades as well as it's customs. The first of two movies Basinger and Gere star together. There's only like, one good gunfire sequence sometime during the end which is quite tame to what one can see these days.

No Mercy is one of those familiar revenge thrillers that offers no novelty whatsoever and is for the most part unoriginal but that doesn't mean it doesn't entertain.

Gere, a Chicago cop, goes to New Orleans to avenge the death of his partner. Basinger plays Gere's link to the crimelord and sparks fly between the two.

As said before, there's nothing original here, however there are some entertaining action sequences, solid acting from Gere and Basinger (who, by the way looks incredibly HOT), nice New Orleans scenery and a refreshing unsympathetic cruelty associated with Gere's character. He's simply not very likable and therefore a little bit more memorable.

No Mercy is a solid no-brainer but nothing all that special.

Kim Basinger is young and gorgeous. Richard Gere is, well Richard Gere. He's dapper, sexy semi-nude and the good guy. What else is new? He's a Chicago cop who's partner gets murdered and he thinks Basinger, can lead him to the killer. Beautiful scenes of Louisiana bayou and attention-grabbing chase scenes make this an enjoyable movie for all. And don't forget the love scenes for the women and the fighting and torching of New Orleans for the men. A fun couple of hours.

Released in late 1986, "No Mercy" stars Richard Gere as a Chicago cop who travels to New Orleans to track down a blond (Kim Basinger) who is linked to the murderer of his beloved partner. The film features a great love-to-hate villain, Losado, played by Jeroen Krabbé; a notable survival-in-the-swamp sequence wherein Gere & Basinger are handcuffed to each other; and an action-packed showdown in an old city hotel.

Actually, I could do without the hotel showdown, as it comes off too cartooney and contrived (like when one of the villains barges right through a wall with his rifle -- Why sure!), but I suppose it can be accepted on the grounds of Western-like artistic license.

There's loads of foul language but I found it realistic for these types of individuals in such critical situations. So I didn't mind it too much but my wife took (minor) offense.

Gere's still relatively young here (36). I realize many hate him, but I'm a fan of quite a few of his pictures, e.g. "The Mothman Prophecies", "King David" and "An Officer and a Gentleman". Kim Basinger doesn't do much for me personally, although she's certainly pretty and her acting is effective here. I know it's a matter of taste but "No Mercy" provides zero 'babe appeal' for me.

The film was shot in Chicago and Louisiana (and some parts in NC).

The score is moving despite the dated mid-80s electronic drums.

FINAL WORD: It's hard to put into words why I like this film to the extent of writing a review. It's nothing exceptional, but it somehow 'works' and gets better with repeat viewings. I bought the DVD a year & a half ago and have watched it three times since, which is something I rarely (if ever) do. I think what attracts me is that it's more than just a mindless cop/action flick, although it has the thrills if that's all you're looking for. "No Mercy" has something to say about love, loyalty, courage, justice, freedom and happiness, but it's smart enough to not spell it all out. Hence, not only is the picture enjoyable to watch due to the 'movie magic' but it can also leave you contemplating.

The film runs 106 minutes.

GRADE: B

On the surface, this film, which I like, is like dozens of other revenge-the-death-of-a-cop-partner stories. But the saving grace of the movie is the characters, and some of the dialogue.

Spoilers in the following

Eddie Jilette is a tough cop. A tough Chicago cop. But what distinguishes the film that his Captain is tougher and nastier. In a later scene in the film, the captain and Eddie are in an airport where, in the Men's washroom, after making sure that they're alone, the captain gives Eddie a weapon to kill the villain, and expects him to use it. In most such films, a tough cop usually has a captain who's either a politician or a wimp. How refreshing!

The film also has a nice touch. Eddie rents all the rooms of a hotel in Algiers. The only inhabitants were the clerk and a cat. Eddie tells the clerk to beat it, because he's expecting a showdown battle there. Shortly before the battle commences, we see the cat leave the building.

One I've watched several times and one that's in my library.