Starring: Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, Alexandra Paul, Randy Brooks, Andy Garcia Directed By: Hal Ashby Average Rating: Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: VHS Tape Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Release Date: January 01, 1998 Running Time: 115 minutes Theatrical Release Date: April 25, 1986
Amazon.com: Jeff Bridges stars as Matthew Scudder, the flawed hero of Lawrence Block's novel. He's an ex-cop, now a private eye, who constantly battles his own alcoholism. His struggle isn't helped when he becomes involved with a hooker and, in trying to aid her, winds up at the center of a struggle involving pimps and drug dealers. Bridges, who played a similar role in The Morning After, seems to have a bone-deep understanding of this self-loathing substance abuser. But as good as Bridges is, he can't rescue the sluggish Oliver Stone script or Hal Ashby's slack direction. The only energy comes from then-newcomer Andy Garcia, who injects a manic vitality into the role of a high-strung drug dealer. --Marshall Fine
Well told tale of decadent lifestyles in the 80s. One of my faves from that decade. In spite of poor reviews of "character development" and things of that nature, I think this is a well told story that uses typecasting in building its characters. And while maybe that's not done as effectively as, say "The Godfather", it is done well. Rosanna Arquette plays a snobbish high priced call girl is in her most fetching role, one up from "Desperately Seeking Susan". Andy Garcia makes a name for himself as an arrogant, smug coke dealer, and Jeff Bridges plays an alcoholic cop quite well. The story culminates in the only way it could given the nature of the lead characters, who define the decadence of the 80s. I never understood the panning of this movie, though many of the critics I respect the most have done just that. This is one of my favorites, certainly from the 80s, which was full of sleepers that garnered more followings after being released on cable. The surrounding character actors accentuate the flavor of the 80s this story takes place in- the rolled up sleeves on the sport coats, the early generation car phones, the fashions, the jargon. Garcia, Arquette and Bridges are all fabulous and alone are reasons worth watching this movie, despite any poor reviews. Maybe i don't know any better, but I loved this movie. Correct me if I'm wrong, even movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" were received poorly upon initial release, not to put the 2 flicks in the same league. I say leave it to yourself to find out.
Definitely worthy of a DVD release This movie (which I think was Hal Ashby's last) is under-rated and under-viewed. It has excellent performances by Jeff Bridges and Andy Garcia, a director with a good handle on the material and how best to approach it for the screen, and a good screenplay by Oliver Stone. This movie is as "hard-boiled" as it gets. THIS FILM SHOULD BE RELEASED ON DVD.
buy this movie or ill have mundo here sneeze! the 1st time i same this i was truely disappointed.then my friend rented it and i was listening to it in another room.....talk about great lines!i went in with the wrong attitude.i was thinking this was gonna have a high body count(how gullible)!anyway,i ran into the room,made him rewind to the beginning and then realized the mistake i made.its not an action movie though it has its fleeting moments.its more of a drama.but its all about the lines.theres also great back and forth tention between jeff and andy.i highly recommend this with this bit of advise;dont think action,listen to the lines!on a different note,why are there so many great movies NOT available on DVD format!
A MASTERPIECE OF A THRILLER! THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES JEFF BRIDGES WAS FANTASTIC AS WELL AS ANDY GARCIA BEING ANGEL MALDONADO. I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE IN A FREIND'S HOME BACK IN 1990 I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL,THEN I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT IT.
Gritty not glossy I've always found this movie to be very believable. Yes the development of the characters is sparse, but I believe that's the idea. Jeff Bridges plays a private detective who finds himself thrust into a situation in which he dosen't have the answers. As he meets the primary players involved so do you. The dialouge is untidy and sometimes the conversations don't go anywhere - much like real life. Those who inhabit the seamier side of our society do no have B.A's. Events move at what seems to be a sluggish pace, but when events come to the climax they come at you with the pace of a rocket. One needs to watch this movie and let things happen as they will. This is not a Bruce Willis slam bang action fest.And I do agree with one of the reviewers. The climax makes the whole movie worth watching. In my opinion this movie is a modern version of the old 1940's film - noir classics. It's pacing and characters are very faithful. Watch it.
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