Bad Country

Bad Country is watchable with some real heavyweight talent and a setting that promises great viewing. But, because of poor character development and overall production it falls far short of anything but average.

No blame to Matt Dillon or Willem Dafoe, both carrying the movie with excellent performances. In fact, Dillon's involvement in almost any project automatically guarantees reliable entertainment. And Dafoe is as gritty and pained as usual, just what you might expect.

But, the script is shallow, the sound editing amateurish, and the overall cinematography average. The final, expected scene can't be saved by the actors when all the technical facets pull together in a below average manner.

This could have been much better. So many elements are in place that Bad Country practically screams for the sort of polish and technique the cast deserves. I have no doubt that in the hands of Mann or Bay demands would have been made and ideas enforced to carry this movie to the box office with some real effect. As it is, by the end I could only wonder what could have been.

Watch it, but don't expect much.

This is definitely a crime genre film with a dark message of violence and fear embedded throughout. The two big stars Willem Dafoe who plays detective Bud Carter of Louisiana, and Matt Dillon as ex-con Jesse Weiland play well against each others persona. The ex-con and hired killer Jesse Weiland gets trapped into becoming an undercover rat for detective Bud Carter to avoid a 200 year jail term and miss out on spending time with his devoted wife Lynn played by the sexy Amy Smart and their newborn son Tommy.

Jesse used to work for the big hog Louisiana crime boss Lutin Adams played well by character actor Tom Berenger. As Bud Carter's informant Jesse provides more and more intelligence on the criminal activities of his crime boss Lutin Adams, the noose keeps tightening around Jesse and his vulnerable wife and son to become pawns in this dangerous game of chess. Jesse is fearless but he is not stupid, unless you start to wonder like I did why after a life of crime and killing he has no bankroll to support his wife and son?

This is not as strong a storyline as the Godfather or Goodfellas, but it is an interesting macho crime story that kept me interested and not too disappointed with the way the film ends. I give this film a 7 out of 10 due to some strong acting performances by Willem Dafoe, Matt Dillon and Tom Berenger. It is well worth a watch for the seedy and dark location shoots and for being a decent crime genre film.

Some good acting going on here by some favorable actors such as William Defoe, Matt Dillon and Tom Berenger

Actor and director, Bill Duke also makes an impressive appearance in the movie as head of the FBI.

Not really sure if the story is all that impressive.

It was just acted impressively by character actors I had not seen in a while, so it heighten my enjoyment.

Good thinking on the filmmaker's part if that was the intention.

Overall an enjoyable crime drama. if I give credit to the filmmakers about anything, it's that they got some stunning performances out of these guys.

"I didn't turn because I'm scared. I done what I did because certain people crossed the line." Jesse Weiland (Dillon) is a contract killer in Louisana in the early 80's. Facing life in jail and never seeing his family again he makes a deal with Detective Bud Carter (Dafoe) to become an informant. When the FBI takes over things turn south for both Carter and Weiland. When his ex-boss goes too far Jesse has only one thing on his mind...revenge. I knew nothing about this movie going in and was looking forward to it because of the cast. The fact that it is based on a true story helps too. This is however yet another movie that has a great cast but isn't a great movie. I had a hard time getting into it and really caring about the characters. They all did a great job in it but there was just something missing. I can't tell you what it was but there was an element or two missing to really make me fully enjoy the movie. When you watch it maybe you can let me know what it was. Overall, great acting but not a great movie. Seems to be happening a lot lately. I give this a C+.

... and the answer of course is no.

Since he first burst on scenes playing (not joking) Jesus, he has never been less than mesmerizing.

(And his work in Shadow of the Vampire, 2000, never got the acclaim it deserved).

I mention that because cops and robber movies have been around since the silent films but the performances of Dafoe playing against Dillon (never better here, strong physicality, amazing he never played bad guys before) is the heart and soul of this picture, and it keeps you glued to the screen.

Interesting that they used a near-A lister like Amy Smart merely as eye candy, with almost no dialogue. Not that she was less than fetching, but it was an odd bit of casting.