Eric D. Snider said in his review, “While I certainly don’t advocate violence toward women and think very little of a man who would hit one, this scene is outrageously funny, and indicative of the black-as-night humor and violence that will pervade the film.
This also warns views what the protagonists are like: lawless, despicable nasty thugs and occasional murderers who are not restricted by such ideas as “justice.” That’s one of the film’s themes that there’s often no such thing as justice. Despite this shocking reality, we usually expect movies to show the villains being punished and the protagonists winning. However, as Parker says in a voice-over, “We didn’t come for absolution. We didn’t ask to be redeemed.”
Besides, it’s hart to punish the villains when everyone in the world has a secret reason.
While trying to make money as sperm donors (“Have you ever killed anyone?” and “Would you have sex with a dead person?” are two questions Longbaugh thinks should be asked), the two overhear an interesting fact: Rich businessman Hale Chidduck (Scott Wilson) is paying a girl named Robin (Juliette Lewis) a large amount of money to be a surrogate mother to his child. Chidduck’s trophy wife Francesca, played by Kristin Lehman, is completely able to have one herself, but the social climber can’t be bothered with these things.
Parker and Longbaugh (Snider noted, “yeah, those were the real names of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, if that gives you any indication where this is going to wind up”) make a plan. They’ll kidnap Robin and hold her and her to be born baby for ransom. They get her away from her somewhat skilled bodyguards, played by Taye Diggs and Nicky Katt, in a huge gunfire (one of several huge gunfire in the movie) and drive off to Mexico.
Turns out, this was an even better idea than they thought, as most of Chidduck’s money is of the money-laundering type, which means he can’t involve the police int eh negotiations.
Robin’s doctor, Allen Painter, played by Dylan Kussman, is brought in to help deliver the baby, if needed, but he’s got secret reasons for being so interested. So does Chidduck’s long-time bagman Sarno (the late James Caan), so do the bodyguards, even Sarno’s assistant Abner (Geoffrey Lewis) has secrets.
Snider credited, “Phillippe and Del Toro are appropriately only sort of likable as the main characters, both acting their parts well, particularly Phillippe, with his swallowed, Stanley Kowalski-style delivery.”
McQuarrie’s directing is stylish but not stylized. That is, you can tell a director was involved – extended shots where the camera just sits there while people try to commit suicide, talk, or kill each other – but he doesn’t draw attention to himself or his craft.
Snider credited, “The plot is as delightfully twisted as the humor, but that “look how many plot twists I can come up with” method is occasionally to the film’s detriment.” Sometimes secrets are overheard by people who shouldn’t hear them – and then nothing ever results. Most of the loose ends are resolved, however, usually by shooting a gun, and while it’s hard to feel anything looking uplifting or happy at the film, it’s hands down an adrenaline-blast edge-of-your-seat of a movie.
I remember my brother talking about this movie sometime when I was a teenager. I had never heard of it, but then I decided to check it out about a decade ago on Netflix when I was exercising. I really loved this movie, and I think everyone will too. If you can find this somewhere, check it out. You will know what I am talking about. Critics didn’t seem to like this movie, but audiences loved it. Just see it and judge for yourself.
Alright, next week I will be looking at a certain Thanksgiving movie that is actually emotional along with a noir film based on a comic book/graphic novel in the finale of “Benicio Del Toro Month.”
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