davidbyrne77

Wow, I wasn't expecting all of this when I rented the film at Blockbuster! I was hoping for it, though. Not in my top 5 of controversial films, but this one comes in a close sixth. By far, one of the best and most memorable endings ever. Hands down! I was expecting to be really disturbed by the horrible morality going on in this film, but I just wasn't. Maybe the killer made up for his horrible crimes with an amiable attitude and interesting views on society and architecture. Watching this now, there was a hint of Blair Witch Project about it, but I can't imagine what reviewers thought of it back in '92! The gritty film stock and the shoe-string production values really add to the atmosphere, and I love the wham-bam editing of the murder flashback (or flashforward?)sequences. Don't be scared off by this film - it's actually quite enjoyable, if you can get past the murders of old women and children.

I found this film very entertaining, thanks in part from great performances by both Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, and due to great directing by Stanley Kramer. The black and white cinematography is great, as is the story of a black man and a white man, chained together and on the run from the law, who hate each other more than captivity itself. Shared experiences and the realization that inside they are both very similar helps both men to understand each other. I also liked the friction between the gung-ho sheriff and the more laid-back, realistic one. The character of the bloodhound owner rings true to anyone who knows a person who breeds dogs. The only thing I didn't like about this film was the Poitier character's singing. I know thats its a big part of the film and it is a form of defiance on its own, but it bugged me none the less. Oh well, small criticism for a great film. But what's with woman who'll sell out her son to some guy who stumbles into her yard? Wrong priorities, I guess.