I first saw the movie when I was just starting to understand the complexities of the whole storytelling process. Recently, I watched it again, and remembered much of it the same, though not as fondly as time had caused maturity in watching. But, it still was worth the time.
To begin, apart from Kevin Costner and Anthony Quinn, the rest of the cast was quite impressive. This was during Costner's run of quality movies in the last 1980s and early 1990s. His performance certainly doesn't measure up to The Untouchables, No Way Out or Dances With Wolves, but surpasses The Bodyguard and Robin Hood. Quinn is rather dynamic, and plays his part as an understated drug lord and makes every scene he is in interesting. To those established actors, Madeleine Stowe matches quiet well. This was early in her career, and probably the performance that gave her a name. She was sensual, sexy, and sophisticated, and the love scene really are steamy, in no part to the chemistry.
But what makes this movie really interesting is Tony Scott. I've always thought his style was similar to Michael Mann, yet in many aspects better. This movie was done after Top Gun, but was still early in his career. The visuals and framing were superb, and despite some of the critiques of his numerous closeups, to me it felt consistent in the intimacy he was trying to portray. (He seemed to be similar in The Last Boy Scout, though not as effective.)
Apart from Costner and Quinn, and a small appearance by Sally Kirkland (wonderful little scene) and James Gammon, this was fairly early in the careers of many of the important supporting actors. Thus, there is an inevitable weakness that appears on occasion, yet should not detract from the time taken to watch this movie.
Recommend to watch in a darker room (no/low lights) due to the dark hues Tony Scott uses on his cameras.
To begin, apart from Kevin Costner and Anthony Quinn, the rest of the cast was quite impressive. This was during Costner's run of quality movies in the last 1980s and early 1990s. His performance certainly doesn't measure up to The Untouchables, No Way Out or Dances With Wolves, but surpasses The Bodyguard and Robin Hood. Quinn is rather dynamic, and plays his part as an understated drug lord and makes every scene he is in interesting. To those established actors, Madeleine Stowe matches quiet well. This was early in her career, and probably the performance that gave her a name. She was sensual, sexy, and sophisticated, and the love scene really are steamy, in no part to the chemistry.
But what makes this movie really interesting is Tony Scott. I've always thought his style was similar to Michael Mann, yet in many aspects better. This movie was done after Top Gun, but was still early in his career. The visuals and framing were superb, and despite some of the critiques of his numerous closeups, to me it felt consistent in the intimacy he was trying to portray. (He seemed to be similar in The Last Boy Scout, though not as effective.)
Apart from Costner and Quinn, and a small appearance by Sally Kirkland (wonderful little scene) and James Gammon, this was fairly early in the careers of many of the important supporting actors. Thus, there is an inevitable weakness that appears on occasion, yet should not detract from the time taken to watch this movie.
Recommend to watch in a darker room (no/low lights) due to the dark hues Tony Scott uses on his cameras.