Starring: Willem Dafoe, Gregory Hines, Fred Ward, Amanda Pays, Kay Tong Lim Directed By: Christopher Crowe Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, Dolby, NTSC Label: Starz / Anchor Bay Number of Items: 1 Release Date: January 25, 2005 Running Time: 102 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 11, 1988
Off Limits A hard look at the streets of Saigon, Viet Nam, and a serial killer murdering prostitutes going back to Korea several years before the current investigation. It becomes obvious it is a Colonel which means they better be right before making any accusations. Off Limits does a great job showing those areas that were off limits to military but that almost all soldiers visited during the Viet Nam War. Willem Defoe, Gregory Hines, Fred Ward, Rachel Ward, and Scott Glenn turn in fine performances. Defoe and Hines play CID detectives investigating the murders. Their unconventional ways get them into hot water with the locals, Viet Nam military, and even their own Army. Well worth renting at least and most people that enjoy hard edged murder mysteries will want to buy it.
Saigon Beat "Off Limits" has so much to recommend. Masterful direction by Christopher Crowe. Snappy dialogue. Willem Dafoe and Gregory Hines riff off each other so beautifully you would think they had shared a squad car for years. Good supporting turns by Fred Ward as the boys' superior, Scott Glenn as a kinky colonel, and Keith David as a promiscuous grunt. Dennis Washington's art direction perfectly captures the seedy decadence of Saigon. There is a big "However", however. The film's central premise involves an investigation into the murders of Vietnamese prostitutes. I don't think it will take you too long to say,"Ah-ha!". Despite this film essentially being a mystery this should not turn you off because there are so many riches to be mined here.
Willem Dafoe does it again! Possibly one of the best of the Vietnam war movies that were popular in the late 80's. The story is beleivable and the plot never slows down for one minute. The acting is superb, the story flows well and it's very enjoyable to watch. Let me ask you, can WILLEM DAFOE make a bad movie even if he tried? For my money it's much better than "Hamburger Hill" and almost equal to "Platoon". Maybe they made use of props and sets left over from other Vietnam movies.Bangkok must have done very well doubling for Saigon back then, appearing in "Good Morning Vietnam" as well. Five stars from me, and a BIG recomendation! SEE IT!!
Grime And Crime In A Cesspool Called Saigon Other reviewers have covered the essence of the plots and action quite well and there is little that I can add. However, I will comment on the technical quality of the DVD.
My first experience with this movie outside the theater screening was on laser disc. The quality of the LD was abysmal at best, and so I awaited the arrival of my DVD with some nervousness. I am happy to report that the DVD, while not pristine, is very acceptable and is a quantum leap better than the LD.
The difficulty of the photography can be laid directly at the feet of the subject matter. Most of the early scenes were rainy night shots of the grimy alleys and smokefilled GI bars of Saigon. They were difficult lighting conditions and it is possible that the director was looking for a smokey grimy result.
Anyhow, if anyone has experienced the earlier poor quality transfers this DVD will be quite satisfactory.
Oh, by the way, did I mention that the story line and acting were very good. It appears that Willem Dafoe and Keith David went straight from this movie to the Platoon compound that Oliver Stone constructed for his Vietnam epic.
The Way It Was! An excellent potrayal of Army CID ops in Saigon during the latter half of the war. Two great actors!
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