Directed By: Tony Scott
Written By: Richard Kelly
Story By: Richard Kelly & Steve Barancik
Cinematography By: Dan Mindel
Editor: William Goldenberg & Christian Wagner
Cast: Kiera Knightley, Mickey Rourke, Edgar Ramirez, Delroy Lindo, Mo’Nique, Christopher Walken, Mena Suvari, Tom Waits, Ian Ziering, Brian Austin Green, Lew Temple, Lucy Liu, Dale Dickey, Jaqueline Bisset, Macy Gray, T.K. Carter, Dabney Coleman, Peter Jacobson, Jerry Springer, Frederick Koehler, Andy Milder
The daughter of an actor father and a social-climber mother, Domino Harvey, bored with her life, decides to join the team of Ed Moseby and becomes a bounty hunter. But she gets in trouble when the Mafia's money is stolen from an armored truck, while Moseby and his crew are participating in a reality show produced by Mark Heiss. The situation gets out of control when the sons of a rival mobster are kidnapped while the FBI is monitoring two gangs of mobsters.
This film is more of an example of Tony Scott’s experimental later Work in a resume filled with typical studio films. One has to notice that next to his film THE HUNGER this film is the most artistic and experimental of his films.
It’s a film that distracts from itself by so much rapid cutting and editing tricks plus so many asides and side stories that disrupt he narrative that even though later it all comes together. It’s so disjointed early on that once revelations are revealed instead of shocking the audience or leaving us impressed. Yet it comes off as sarcastic, smart ass and annoying.
Which is how the characters and film come off. Though one can partly admire the films punk rock spirit. If it all came together better the film would be quite the accomplishment. It has memorable characters, cool likeable actors, great visuals and memorable scenes but the. Leaves the groundwork faulty.
Now, a film about a female bounty hunter is a good subject and her hard nosed character played by Kiera Knightly trying to prove herself is a good arc but this kidnapping conspiracy and lumped In reality show pilot sounds good on paper. Not so good In Execution. --The film has action for a few scenes but commonly relies more on comedy that works stand alone but feels out of place constantly like another movie was popped in to keep the audience paying attention.
The over saturated visuals and colors especially in a 20 minute drug tripping scene that eerily makes no sense but gives reason to a Tom waits cameo. Which also makes the audience wonder if half the roles and story lines in the film are more produced to make room for actors Tony Scott wanted to work with or to make room for cameos from actors he has worked with in the past. (Plus the film commits one of the sins a film can have of telling and showing us one thing as truth making it final then going back and saying oh yeah that never happened. Which should only be allowed In Fantasy films)
This is a tricky little film that becomes frustrating as it seems to work against itself in try this by to offer the audience something new and different but after taking us a certain way along the journey kind of tells us to forget all that was previously seen.
As it takes a true story and pretty much loosely adapts it’s own story around it that makes all involved corrupt but become some kind of heroes at the end for taking a stand. While it seems trying to involve all kinds of at the time modern techniques of pop Culture and storytelling tools.
It’s a wild experimental ride that you can see late director Tony Scott clearly having a bunch of fun with and using all kinds of tools at his discretion to play up the story.
It’s biggest strike against it is story manipulation. Certain fates of characters and actions that seem bold for a film of this type. All of a sudden are take. Back as kind of a what if. Which shouldn’t be surprising as this film was written by writer-director Richard Kelly who made the film DONNIE DARKO which was also experimental, weird and liked to play with non-linear storytelling and kind of time manipulation. Not to mention seems to enjoy creating challenging mind benders maybe the plan from the beginning was to experiment with narrative to make an original experience film.
They succeeded in making it one of a kind and for all of it’s faults. The film is likeable. It’s not necessarily a good film but it is a film that leaves a lot to remember. It might just be a guilty pleasure as it does indulge. One wishes I could have seen it in theaters for the experience. though I wanted to and couldn’t wait to watch it on DVD.
Though that for which One can complain about also makes this film fascinating. Especially for a big studio release. As the film plays like a sharp acid trip like the films released in the 1960’s, But what doesn’t help is that the story bare bones doesn’t amount to too much without these little additions to the story. That even though these characters are bounty hunters they come off more as mercenaries.
This film is like a band tryout g something different it doesn’t exactly work but there are some noteworthy thing you will remember and actually like.
This was Kiera Knightley’s first starring role after PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL. And resting on her shoulders. She gets the tough pretty girl swag down right but still feel partly like she is more playing the role then fully immersed and believable. She shows she is trying and not half-assing it,
The film has cameos and supporting roles by many recognizable actors so part of the fun is seeing them pop up. The film refuses to drop it’s hard edge no matter what that at times seems over the top but fits like it belongs and is it’s nature. If it was made in the 80's this would be a punk rock pop art oddity. As it stands now this is mainstream big budget experimental film. Which feels like junk food like a film exploded was put back together and this is that was left and how it plays.
It's reinvention and continuously challenging narratives are what keeps it interesting. Making you pay attention, but it also get's annoying and a bit tiresome. Especially in the desert scenes.
The film is like a video game. Endless quick cuts worse than Michael Bay could dream of, a movie made for add sufferers or at least start a new generation of them. I can see someone getting seizures watching this. Forget requiem for a dream. This is a drug movie that might cause a bad trip. All star film, but many of the performances and appearances are useless.
Director Tony Scott claimed that the frenetic filming and editing style of the picture is reflective of the high usage of cocaine amongst real bounty hunters he consulted while researching the film.
This is more sensationalistic film-making because as much as it is built to be an action film there is surprisingly little action until the ending. Though much build up and chases.
As the film seems to wanting to fool the audience so that it is like a game of three card monty and when all is revealed and it shows all it’s cards what it amounts to isn’t all that fascinating or spectacular
I guess as the protagonist of the film and her cronies seem to be just as bad as the people they supposedly hunt and bring in. Really none of the characters are that likeable and seem less reputable. So hard to vote for but this seems to be a valentine to the anti-heroes. Maybe as the subject it was based on seemed to be a hero and leader and her Demise seemed more tragic and that she held secrets that were more dastardly so it seems her whole life misleading in a way and full of looking for purpose and meaning
This is one of the rare films I suggest you go out and watch on your own to decide how you feel about it. As this film can be take. In many different ways.
Grade: B-
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