What a great film this is. While entrenched in the seventies in every way it also feels fresh. Perhaps it's the way it follows the emotions, which seems to lead the narrative. It has a non invasive camera, allowing Hackman's character to lead us deeper into his soon to be, fracturing world.
James Woods is a little over the top in his typical style, but that's James Woods. Good to see a teenage Melanie Griffith. A shame her career died off.
It feels like a novel, unfolding steadily, leading us into turmoil via the characters journey and not anything as contrived as a Hollywood plot. The relationships are deftly drawn. They have the touch of truth.
It's not until the end that it dawns that we've entrenched in such a thing the entire time. We simply didn't know it. And that's part of what makes the ending so great. It makes you reassess what's come before it and entices us back to view it again through a different lens.
Surely one of Hackman's best roles. Everyone else was terrific too, (aside from the stuntman). There's a genuine intensity at play that is driven, not just by the story but by Penn's approach. One of his best too.
A real joy to watch. Has not received its fair accolades.
James Woods is a little over the top in his typical style, but that's James Woods. Good to see a teenage Melanie Griffith. A shame her career died off.
It feels like a novel, unfolding steadily, leading us into turmoil via the characters journey and not anything as contrived as a Hollywood plot. The relationships are deftly drawn. They have the touch of truth.
It's not until the end that it dawns that we've entrenched in such a thing the entire time. We simply didn't know it. And that's part of what makes the ending so great. It makes you reassess what's come before it and entices us back to view it again through a different lens.
Surely one of Hackman's best roles. Everyone else was terrific too, (aside from the stuntman). There's a genuine intensity at play that is driven, not just by the story but by Penn's approach. One of his best too.
A real joy to watch. Has not received its fair accolades.