bjguilfoyle

OMG!! Some reviewers out there are actually taking this seriously and writing it off as imperialist trash! Lighten up, folks. This is Travolta at his scenery-chewing best, you either like it or you don't. Personally, I loved "Pulp Fiction" and I get a kick out of his turns as villains. In this one, he's actually a good guy (relatively speaking) in a script that's mostly non-stop action with plenty of shooting and casualties and some good Paris scenery. The plot's pretty weak, although there are a few interesting twists along the way. JT's riffs and the action kept my attention throughout, and at the end I was glad I watched it. Nice actioner with some good laughs, so don't take it as a political statement. BTW, he still likes the "Royale With Cheese".

This is the kind of movie that you really like to enjoy and review. I loved this one- no excessive violence, gore, CGI, or any of the other tripe that compromises so many of today's films. The acting was top-notch across the board, the direction and editing first-rate, and I really cared about how it would all come out. Pierce Brosnan was first rate as the burned-out assassin, and Gregg Kinnear equally good as the corporate everyman. The locale shifted continuously, the script kept you guessing as to how it would all come out, and the whole thing left a good afterglow. This is relaxed viewing, entertaining end to end, and perfect for an evening enhanced with your favorite wine and munchies. Take it at the level it aspires to, and enjoy it.

I remember how controversial this film was when it first came out, with the sexual subject matter and frank dialog, but as I view it today, it's more of an outdated courtroom drama, well-acted but rather tedious. Stewart, Remick, and Gazzara are first rate, Arden and O'Connell are as always great in supporting roles, and Scott is very strong in one of his earlier roles. However, the courtroom scenes drag on for too long, some of the lawyers' ploys and outbursts are almost comical, and today's "Law And Order" viewers could find a lot of flaws in the way the courtroom and forensic procedures are conducted. Most notably, the judge seems to tolerate about anything, and appears to be there mostly for comic relief.

This one is worth a look for the stars' performances, and for a glimpse of what was cutting edge in '58, but I didn't find it particularly moving or suspenseful, and I thought it overly long. By the way, if you're a car buff, enjoy the vintage convertible and woody.