Tempo (2003) User Reviews

Only a Reasonable Thriller

[claudio_carvalho · 5/10 · 8 May 2005]

In France, Sarah (Melanie Griffith) is a courier of illegal pieces of arts and antiques, living in a borrowed apartment with Jack (Hugh Dancy), a man younger and younger than she. While Sarah is traveling to Munich to bring a rare coin to the criminal Walter Shrenger (Malcolm McDowell), Jack meets Jenny Travile (Rachel Leigh Cook), a silly and irresponsible American girl, who works a fancy jewelery, and they have an affair. Jenny falls in love for him, and exposes the code and the secrets of the store to Jack. Meanwhile, Sarah is stolen in the train in her travel back to Paris, and has to raise US$ 80,000.00 in two days to pay for the lost. She convinces Jack to rob the jewelery with her to raise the money. However, things do not happen how planned.

The premise of "Tempo"is not bad, and it could be a good thriller. However, there are many flaws in the screenplay. The character of Sarah is not well developed, and the viewer does not know why she has this type of life, their motives for such a dangerous work, and it is impossible to sympathize with her. Further, the face of Mellanie Griffith is completely destroyed after plastic surgeries, and affects her expressions. There is one site (awfulplasticsurgery.com) relative to awful plastic surgeries in famous people, and unfortunately the surgeries of Mellanie Griffith are mentioned there, showing her lovely and gorgeous face before the plastic surgery, and how she is now. I do not understand how a woman so beautiful like she was can be so deformed! With regard to Jenny, how such a stupid woman can work in a fancy place, being responsible for expensive jewels? How the store does not have cameras for surveillance? How can a woman work in such fancy jewelery wearing jeans, instead of elegant costumes? Rachel Leigh Cook is also horrible in this movie, with long curled hair and ugly clothes. The costume designers were very negligent with the character of Jenny. Last but not the least, the sexual attraction of two women for Jack is a key point in this story. However, the sex scenes are not erotic, and could be better and better. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Tempo – Um Questão de Sobrevivência" ("Time – A Question of Surviving")

Flaws...

[jpschapira · 6/10 · 2 October 2006]

During the short and entertaining ride that is "Tempo", there's not one scene where you can't help but thinking: "This looks like a movie made for TV". Apparently, that's not the reality…In its cast it has consecrated stars and other young and very talented actors that wouldn't be uncomfortable at all with a "star" position.

Three main characters call all of the shots, when two women get too involved with a charming man and end up in a love triangle situation that includes a robbery, a police chase, guns and more elements than at least these characters expected to deal with. What the movie tries to say is that sometimes we don't measure our actions and we cross a line…Yes, that line.

A film like "Tempo", with its typical storyline, must at least get you involved with the feelings of the main characters; and it doesn't fail in that department. The writing team includes L.M. Kit Carson (who once adapted the brilliant "Paris, Texas") joined by Jeremy Lipp and Jennifer Salt; writers of some clever and engaging TV series.

So the director Eric Styles seems to be the only one a little far from television between the crew (John McCarthy is basically a series composer) and although probably everyone said it already, he brings a lot of style to the table with his intensively focused cameras during some crucial shots and his fast motion management when the film finds its adrenaline moments. Helped a lot by cinematographer Robert Fraisse, Styles achieves the quality of the image that's as good as the film can offer.

A few things fail in the plot and with the general idea, which is why the movie doesn't become good; but the emotion you get from the first scene doesn't vanish at all, and you want the best for this flawed human beings. Rachael Leigh Cook, between the best actresses of her generation and more beautiful each day, gives a desperate tone to her character that makes us believe love can actually happen fast, when you're alone in some place and you need it.

However, her character is flawed because she is not able to think things twice. Hugh Dancy plays the young attractive man supported by an older woman that cares for him. Even when his character cares for the woman too, he allows himself to slip, considering he will resolve it in the end; but he's not able to do it, because he's flawed. Dancy portrays all of these shades solidly; yet he completely fails in achieving the American accent.

The older woman I mentioned before is the character played by Melanie Griffith. Griffith has always had to 'find' the role: "Milk Money", "Now And Then", "Forever Lulu" are some of the films in which the role fits perfectly for her; without mattering if the picture is good or not. "She always speaks the same way", I told my brother; and he said that people can't chance their way of speaking…In "Tempo", the role fits for her and eventually fits for us; luckily.

Role reversal

[jotix100 · 4/10 · 7 May 2005]

This film, directed by Eric Styles, has the distinction that it has reversed the emphasis from a woman, to a man, for being the object of sexual desire. Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense. The best redeeming factor is some of the great views of Paris.

Sarah, as played by Melanie Griffith, is annoying. That little girl voice in a grown up woman is a turn off. This is a mature woman that has taken up with a much younger, and attractive young man who is seen naked, and or, in different stages of it, in the film. Sarah makes a grave mistake in taking the train back to Paris and holding the precious coin in her hand while she falls asleep! Hellooo! She could have hidden in some other part of her body!

Jack, the young man about town, is attracted to the newly arrived American ingenue, Jenny. They immediately fall in love and are seen having sex without any protection. Sorry, but has anyone heard of AIDS? Jenny is made to look terribly provincial with that horrible permanent and her even uglier pigtails.

The film doesn't go anywhere, as we figured what was going to be the outcome early on. The direction doesn't help matters at all. Other than a vacation in Paris, what is Malcom McDowell doing in this movie? He only appears in one scene and is seen in another! This film could have been cast with lesser known actors and probably would have been better than what one sees on the screen.

Better luck to Mr. Styles next time out.

Horrible

[Synhed · 1/10 · 18 July 2004]

The plot of "Tempo" sounded really promising, but the end result is quite frankly horrible. The acting on the part of Hugh Dancy is acceptable, as for Cook it is not up to the standard of her other performances. In all their character's relationship seems utterly unbelievable. Watching Melanie Griffith in Tempo though was a sad experience I could have done without. I remember her from films such as "Working Girl" were she was witty, funny and sexy. In "Tempo" she acts like she is wearing a mask. Her facial expressions are almost non-existent. Another fact that annoyed me with "Tempo" was the obvious lack of detail when it came to locations. The story is supposed to take place in Paris, why is it then that throughout the film, street signs are in German?? Even Munich does not look like Munich.

Not Great, but not bad either...

[RealLiveClaude · 18 June 2003]

Since Rachael Leigh Cook is one of my favorite actresses, I couldn't resist to see her latest work. I know since Josie and The Pussycats that she mostly did direct-to-video movies and indies, and that was the opportunity to see her again in a European setting...

This time, it's Paris. I was not very thrilled to see a déjà-vu subject of the love triangle, set on illegal antiques'smuggling business background, but with Rachael there, I might be in for a small treat...

The result here is partly entertaining. Eric Styles uses the flashback to tell the story as it begins in a car chase in central Paris. Mostly a story about betrayal, survival and mostly choosing between love and reason.

An antiques smuggler works for a rich mob dealer. She is sent for a contract in Germany in order to get paid and then refund a debt to another mob member. In the meanwhile, her boyfriend falls in love with a jewellers'boutique employee, Jenny. Unfortunately, when the lady smuggler comes back, she catches her lover in the act. However, her smuggling didn't do well and she must comes up with the money to reimburse the mob guy in order to save her life. For revenge, she intends to use her boyfriend's mistress naive nature for a night heist at the jewellery shop to refund her debt. Will it succeed ?

Performances are okay: Rachael Leigh Cook (with an audacious caracter going beyond the simple kiss...), Hugh Dancy and Malcolm McDowell are doing good here but Mrs. Griffith lacks the charm she had many years ago with movies like Body Double and Working Girl. Too sad for such an actress who stills have some sexy assets at her 40s...

The story's okay, and it's good fare compared to recent releases who are with big budget but with low quality.

Watch it for fun, and gaze the streets of Paris with Ms.Cook !

Horrible Waste Of Money And Talent

[videoport · 1/10 · 3 August 2003]

I used to love Melanie Griffith. She was so sexy and lovable in "Fear City", "Body Double", and "Something Wild", yes even in the rotten "Cherry 2000" I still loved her. In Tempo I lost my love, to the knife! Tempo shows the waste of money that is plastic surgery all over Melanie's face. A horrible waste of money and the ruin of a beautiful talent. Disgusting!

So is this movie. All that eurotrash money can buy is a deeply flawed script with mediocre performances by many involved. Rachel Lee Cook is as good as she could be given the circumstance of her character. She plays an American student on sabbatical in Paris who, although she does not speak French, is hired by and then immediately given the keys and codes to a jewelry store to satisfy the plot! When the store is robbed the Parisian police open fire on the thieves during a car chase inside the city. Besides the fact that they have not established the car contains thieves or criminals I doubt any modern Western police force would use guns in the situation exposed. The rest on the script is filled with many other unbelievable occurrences, all while expecting the viewer to take it seriously! Looks big budget but never opened theatrically in the US. The DVD release was announced for Summer 2003 but has now been delayed indefinitely, lucky for you! I wonder if Ms. Griffith's surgeons are bidding to keep it off the market? It certainly does not show their work in the best light.

As an alternative I would suggest a fun and light film that knows what it is- all fun! "The Guru" is now on DVD in case you missed it in the theaters!

Melanie Griffith Showing Crows Feet

[whpratt1 · 5/10 · 3 December 2005]

Melanie Giffith,(Sarah),"Tart",'01, played an excellent role of a very complicated gal with all kinds of mixed emotions about her life and her past relationships with men. However, Sarah is very much sexually involved constantly with Hugh Dancy,(Jack),"Shooting Days,",'05 who is very young looking and is a mixture of gigolo and con artist. There is wild graphics and great wild sounding music in the background along with a car chase all around Paris, France; which had me thinking about Princes Diana and her car crash for some unknown reason. Rachael Leigh Cook,(Jenny Travile),"My First Wedding",'04, plays a very young inexperienced American gal who left her family and got a job in Paris and happens to run into Jack; who manages to take her "CHERRY" away from her and she goes ballistic in Love with him and can't wait to get his clothes off whenever they meet. Melanie Griffith gave a great performance, however, her addictions have taken a great toll on her beautiful face, she is showing plenty of Crows Feet around the eyes and a burned out look.

Waste of Time!

[abovethelaw-95473 · 1/10 · 9 July 2021]

It's painfull to see old women cling to their youth trying to be sexy, but their not! This movie is full of bad acting, especially from Melanie Griffith. The movie is even worse than a B-movie! Movie about a jewelry heist in Paris.

Downhill Racers

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 1 February 2010]

"Sarah James (Melanie Griffith) lives on danger's edge every day as the courier for a ruthless French black market dealer. Her boyfriend, Jack Ganzer (Hugh Dancy), is a handsome, young American expatriate she's seduced into becoming her partner in crime. But, when Jack unexpectedly meets and falls for Jenny Travile (Rachael Leigh Cook), a sexy but seemingly naive jewelry shop clerk, he quickly finds himself trapped in a treacherous love triangle filled with suspicion, vengeance, and murder. This riveting thriller will keep you guessing until the very end," according to the DVD sleeve description.

"Tempo" opens with its exciting car chase climax, then goes into flashbacks leading up to there. Possibly, they had no other way to begin this movie. Next up, you get mild erotica with Ms. Griffith, as the still sexy older woman, wrapping her legs around Mr. Dancy, as the attractive young stud. And, that's about all there is to this downhill film. The chase winds up being the culmination of an unappealing heist storyline. Only Dancy shows skin throughout. Griffith gives her character more vulnerability than the film deserves. And, Ms. Cook is almost completely, and uncharacteristically, nondescript.

**** Tempo (6/10/03) Eric Styles ~ Melanie Griffith, Hugh Dancy, Rachel Leigh Cook, Art Malik

Crime and romance in Paris

[coyets · 7/10 · 13 April 2007]

Although the title of the film is somewhat reminiscent of the crime and romance film 'Speed', and the film starts with a car chase, and the viewer is constantly being reminded of the fast pace of life in the French capital, the unfolding of the story is much more reminiscent of 'À bout de souffle', especially as it is set in the same city. 'Tempo' does not achieve the brilliance of that French film, but it does not attempt to copy it. It sets a love triangle as the focal point of the story, and adds in some more criminal characters to enhance the difficulties that they main characters find themselves in.

After a cursory introduction to the three main characters in the car chase scene, the storytelling returns to eight days previously in order to relate the tale in its proper chronological sequence. The viewer is then introduced properly to Sarah, an insecure woman who is to a surprising degree likable despite her flaws, and Jack, who seems far too young for the relationship, but we learn more about the complexities as the film progresses. Melanie Griffith's portrayal of Sarah with her vulnerability and her positive attitude is the highlight of the film, but Hugh Dancy manages to make Jack's character very believable even with his increasing indecisiveness.

When Jack meets Jenny, they seem to fit together better, but Jack's love for Sarah lingers on. Jenny, played by Rachael Leigh Cook, is an intelligent young woman on her own in a far-off land, and falls in love as many young women in such a situation are wont to do. This mixture of intelligence and naivety is very similar to Jean Seberg's character in 'À bout de souffle', but Jenny is a far more down-to-earth person. Furthermore, Jack is an unassuming character, quite unlike Jean-Paul Belmondo's character in that film. The result is a sweet romance with the background of crime and another woman.

The fast traffic graphics which appeared now and then during the film were an unnecessary distraction. The photography was not the best feature, either.

The ending was surprising, dramatic and logical – everything that you could wish, in fact.

The film combines a love story and a crime story much better than many more highly rated films.

Griffith Shines in Low Budget Thriller

[rdash · 10/10 · 12 June 2003]

At first look, Tempo has the appearance of a low budget European or Canadian film. While there are some stunning shots of Paris, the overall quality of the film and its special effects are less than average. However, if you can get past that, you discover a great performance by Melanie Griffith. Although you know that you are not suppose to like her character, Melanie's quality of vulnerability has you rooting for her character. Her whispery voice is put to work here in which every man alive just wants to protect her. Her co-star Hugh Dancy also does well in this film and is very believable, while Rachael Leigh Cook doesn't fair so well. I just didn't buy the chemistry between her and Dancy. Although Griffith is old enough to play Dancy's mother, she had much more chemistry with him.

While the film will never win an Oscar, and may be predictable, it is a great renter. In fact, what surprises me is something like Tempo doesn't get a theatrical release, but on the other hand we have to put up with garbage like The Guru.

Decent acting.

[Molybedenum · 21 January 2004]

I'm quite sure that many movie watchers have seen this type of plot before, but it is always intriguing to see how the actors and actresses bring it into being. The structure is lacking, which we can heap on to the writer. The interesting thing, however, is the irony that becomes apparent within the character development.

There is a girl portrayed by the lovely Rachael Leigh Cook, who looks at herself as the portrait of American apathy and rebellion. She admits to having commited a crime while in school, and also finds herself insanely attracted to the real badass, the car booster. She is the perfect picture of what Ben Folds sings about in "Whatever and ever, Amen." The only problem is that she really isn't prepared for what bumming around with a badass brings.

Through the plot, we are allowed to watch her mature, or at least we are left with a hope that she does. Her penchant for ditching responsibility lands her in France, but then she begins to take on more and more responsibilities as time goes on. She offers to house the guy, she remembers that she forgot to lock up the shop and returns to do so, and in the end, gets rather shaken up for having been attracted to the dark side of things.

The acting is good. The actors make the pain that they suffer seem very real. Frustration, fear, anger, jealousy, and passion are all imparted to the audience. The movie didn't get boring.

The direction of the movie is rather bland, however. The shots were not spectacular, and the lighting was not memorable. There were no interesting angles, and sometimes it seemed that everyone was a little out of place.

So, in the end, this movie is more of a character study of the youth of America; how the youth like to think that they're bad, even though they probably can't handle things that are really evil.

Why This Film Works Even When It Doesn't

[hughschica · 8/10 · 25 February 2007]

First of all, I would like to agree with certain individual's thoughts that the roles were not fully fleshed because there is no question that this is applicable in this instance however, despite the fact that we were not given the reasons why the truly dazzling creature Jack had chosen to squander his talents by getting wrapped up in the dangerous business of art theft, there were certainly things that worked in this film. First of all, though not completely credible, it was passionately entertaining and engaging and at the same time that you found yourself despising these characters, you found yourself adoring them almost in the same breath. Well to be honest, I cannot honestly say that there was anything to loathe about any of the main characters and even the elderly lady, was a figure who evoked empathy.

There is no question that this film sizzles with sensuality, which I would honestly have to admit is a larger part of its charm and Dancy is truly included in that interpretation, il est tres beau, qui? First of all, this is shot almost entirely on location and that in itself defies description as Paris is nothing if not dazzlingly scenic. Apparently a number of the exteriors were shot on location in Germany as someone indicated spotting (great eye!) street signs in German throughout the film, still it does not detract from the visual appeal and the rustic shots that we received when Jack whisked Jenny the lovelorn ditsy mademoiselle away to the French countryside, positive perfection and left me longing for a picnic in Provence. So yes, despite the fact that character and script development are not topnotch here, this film works in the respect that it allows you to escape if only for an hour to an exotic place where the scenery is fairytale perfect.

Do I actually believe that a man like Jack could desire a woman like Sarah and do I think that he would choose her over the more than a tad ridiculously irresponsible college girl Jenny? I do not think there is any question that Jack would not want to stay loyal to someone who seemed to care so intensely for him and my greatest problem with that not excluding this guy's inability to control his libido when Sarah left town on her illicit mission, was the fact that he allowed himself to be seduced by some chickadee he had not even known for a week! It is true that Dancy's character Jack is appealing both physically and emotionally, as he seemed incredibly well mannered and sensitive for the most part. So yes, his charm is certainly of the effervescent variety, irresistibly intoxicating however, Jenny only seemed interested in Jack's lovemaking abilities, where were the girl's morals I wondered? It is true that Jack didn't fight her off but I truly believe that the reasons why he pursued Jenny and allowed her to seduce him in one single night, was more of a knee jerk reaction to the fact that he believed Sarah, the woman who owned his heart was cheating on him with a man in Majorca. Let us face it, some people definitely operate on a revenge type basis and whenever someone hurts them in anyway, they are going to make certain that they find a way to get back at that person in whatever way possible. I do believe that Jack was at once remorseful for his actions as it was revealed in the end when he chose Sarah over Jenny. I think Jenny's "love" for Jack was more the first blush of infatuation and from the actions that this girl resorted to in her blind pursuit of Jack, who she pounced every chance she had, reality was never a part of the equation. Before I call this a wrap, let me just say that I think that despite the age difference that exists between Griffith and Dancy, they sizzle like prawns on a grill and definitely bring the heat better than the other pairing. I did not see scorch factor between Jenny and Jack perhaps because it seemed so contrived, like the girl could not resist the man or something! It was a sensationally pivotal moment when Sarah told Jack that he wasn't on a leash or anything. Perhaps, that allowed Jack to see what a mistake he had made in sleeping with some stranger he had only just met. From the tender way Jack was with Sarah before her departure, it looked a lot like love and not a tad like gratitude, which is what I feared at first, for typically when you have the younger man, older woman dynamic, writers tend to paint it as if it's a pact between two individuals who are only together out of desperation. In this film however, it seemed to be about two people who were entirely besotted with each other and I actually would say that the pairing of Jack and Jenny was one of hopelessness, not the other way around and that in my opinion, gave this film its distinctive edge. I think it is about time that people realize that human beings can truly be beautiful at any age, and besides, in the end isn't beauty a totally subjective thing and almost always a matter of the eye of the beholder, n'est pas?

All in all, I would rate this film a C+ for character development and an A- for storyline content, which is why I chose to rate it an 8, for although it is not the best grape in the bunch it is indisputably a far cry from being a Gala sporting bruises besides Dancy seems to have that gift of making anything palatable and in this film, there is no difference. Bon Appetite!

for cast

[Vincentiu · 22 November 2014]

a film for cast. for their money. for the opportunity for viewer to rediscover known stars. and for profound disappointment. because it is one of films about nothing. the story is not bad , the acting could be considered decent, the locations - inspired choices. but the large territories of ambiguity, the fragile/fake relations between characters, the confuse end who becomes responsibility of public,Melanie Griffith who gives only the shadow of her character are the big problems. something missing and it could be exactly the essence / soul of film. so, a film interesting only for cast. but it is not enough.