Sometimes these late 90s thrillers really, really catch you off guard. More ways than one, too. Didn't expect to be glued to my set nearly as hard as I was and I certainly didn't expect this flick to go as dark as it did. Feel like I need a bath after seeing this one.
And how about that cast lineup? Nic Cage, James Gandolfini, Joaquin Phoenix, Peter Stormare and, for just a moment, a young, barely post-Boondock Saints Norman Reedus. Wow!
This film reminds me a lot of J. F. Gonzalez's novel SURVIVOR, which came out just a few years afterwards; same subject matter, though admittedly handled with a little more care in the novel. (If you like this film, do yourself a favor and give it a read.)
Still, I thought this was amazing. Cage's stilted acting is very much present but not enough to deter. I highly recommend this one to anyone who can stomach the subject matter. And make no mistake... this one'll try to tie your guts in a knot before the credits roll.
And how about that cast lineup? Nic Cage, James Gandolfini, Joaquin Phoenix, Peter Stormare and, for just a moment, a young, barely post-Boondock Saints Norman Reedus. Wow!
This film reminds me a lot of J. F. Gonzalez's novel SURVIVOR, which came out just a few years afterwards; same subject matter, though admittedly handled with a little more care in the novel. (If you like this film, do yourself a favor and give it a read.)
Still, I thought this was amazing. Cage's stilted acting is very much present but not enough to deter. I highly recommend this one to anyone who can stomach the subject matter. And make no mistake... this one'll try to tie your guts in a knot before the credits roll.