Richard Wendt

This movie was too depressing to appreciate as some appear to do. I suppose that we should see the redeeming aspects of the film. I have seen “gritty” movies many times. Personally I can do without becoming depressed over a movie. While it is not a bad movie, it is not enjoyable. I can’t recommend it unless one has the need to see the seedier aspects of the underbelly of society.

I’m not a fan of King. The simple fact is the story line is implausible. If one likes that sort of thing one would disagree with me. The direction by De Palma was excellent considering the subject matter. His direction in “Dressed to Kill” was plausible while this one was not. Sissy Spacek was excellent as was Piper Laurie. The rest were forgettable. This was the second time I had seen it having seen it after it had been released. I don’t plan to see it a third time. But for those who are into King’s work it was a landmark movie.

It is a very good film. What it tells me that there ultimately no rational decision to occupy another nation unless everyone is killed. That happened in Tasmania. How a populated nation can be permanently occupied is a mystery to me. And yet governments all over the world have tried it and all have failed.

This is the first Denzil Washington movie I cannot recommend. It is a contrived piece of paranormal nonsense. A waste of time. I am going to watch it to completion but it will be a further waste of time as far as I can discern. Who writes this junk?

It’s Ok. The scenery is beautiful but the subject matter is terribly depressing. It really makes no sense to set out to live in the wild, off the land and at the largesse of strangers. I suppose this is a throwback to the hippie generation. It didn’t make sense then and it doesn’t make sense now. A young man or woman who hasn’t lived in the real world shouldn’t decide it is all corrupt and unworthy before living it. I’d like to feel empathy for the protagonist but I can’t. If he had lived in the real world and found it wanting that would justify his quest for whatever he thought he needed. A good movie that puts this in perspective would be “Lost in America.” The ending of that movie brings the couple back to reality. This movie only brings ultimately death. I don’t see the point.

I give it five out of five. I could find nothing to complain about or find fault with except the dunderheads who botched the investigation in the old Soviet Union. When results don’t matter but is a CYA system, no wonder this monster got by with murdering 56 innocent young victims. Stephen Rea was magnificent. Donald Sutherland gives one of his usual deadpan performances where he gives nothing away except through subtle facial expressions. I had thought I had seen this movie previously but if I had, it didn’t come to mind. As a long time fan of murder mysteries and the intelligence required to catch such monsters, I was immediately drawn to this movie. If one is familiar with Joseph DeAngelo (Golden State Killer) who eluded capture for so many years it shows the difficulty in solving such cases. As I have said I give it a five out if a five. Perfect.

This is an unknown gem. The plot may not altogether plausible, but not impossible. The acting is superb. As one who is attracted to this period of history it gave a twist that I would have changed, however slightly. I’ll leave that to one’s imagination though. But as to the film it richly deserves much greater acclaim as a most intriguing film. Plummer is, as usual, just brilliant. See this movie. And it is quite interesting that Plummer played the piano himself. He was, in fact, trained as a consent pianist before he became the consummate actor he is today even at age 91.

I just ran across this movie looking for something to take my mind off the miserable state this world is in. It did not disappoint. A story of unbelievable survival. Worth your time. Should have received higher reviews than it has.