This is one of my favourite films. Yet it started unpromisingly, as I am not particularly interested in car chases. Or, for that matter, films bank robberies. (Rose, you ask, did not the title alert you to the fact that this was a film about a bank robbery?) James Spader (my reason for watching the film) is excellent in it. Part of the reason was continually having to revise my views as to whether his character (Parker) was basically a "good guy" or much more sinister. Spader, who has worked with writer-director Herrington before ("Jack's Back") and since ("I Witness") knows better than to give the audience any clues ahead of time. When he grabbed ambushed Natalie (Leslie Stefanson) and grabbed her by the throat, my attention was riveted.
Plus, when his character was shot, he actually looked like he was both in a lot of pain and going into shock. That seems surprisingly unusual.
There were some subtle details to satisfy those of us who want to watch the film over and over again. For example, Parker seems to have a Catholic background (despite being separated from his wife); Natalie has a cross on her wall.
I liked the part near the end with the injured bad guys limping away. Having lots of dead bodies is a little dull and, well, it is over-kill.
Natalie is feisty, which is always a good quality in a screen heroine. The whole cast is good.
There are a few flaws with the story: a couple of parts are confusingly edited and I still cannot work out the bit about the cars. I would also have liked to have seen the priest rewarded for his good deed.
But these are minor quibbles. This is a very good film, curently very underrated. If you like it, spread the word, maybe we can change that!
Plus, when his character was shot, he actually looked like he was both in a lot of pain and going into shock. That seems surprisingly unusual.
There were some subtle details to satisfy those of us who want to watch the film over and over again. For example, Parker seems to have a Catholic background (despite being separated from his wife); Natalie has a cross on her wall.
I liked the part near the end with the injured bad guys limping away. Having lots of dead bodies is a little dull and, well, it is over-kill.
Natalie is feisty, which is always a good quality in a screen heroine. The whole cast is good.
There are a few flaws with the story: a couple of parts are confusingly edited and I still cannot work out the bit about the cars. I would also have liked to have seen the priest rewarded for his good deed.
But these are minor quibbles. This is a very good film, curently very underrated. If you like it, spread the word, maybe we can change that!
