U-TURN (1997)

Directed By: Oliver Stone
Written By: John Ridley; Based on his book “Stray Dogs”
Cinematography By: Robert Richardson
Editor: Hank Corwin & Thomas J. Nordberg

Cast: Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, Billy Bob Thornton, Claire Danes, Powers Boothe, Joaquin Phoenix, Julie Hagerty, Jon Voight, Brent Briscoe, Liv Tyler, Abraham Benrubi

A man running from a mysterious past is trapped in a small desert town after his car breaks down. Everybody in this town seems to have totally lost their mind and Bobby can't wait to leave. But there is a problem: Bobby doesn't have the money to get his car back. So when an aging man offers him money to kill his young wife Bobby seriously thinks about it. However the gorgeous young woman casts some kind of spell on him and she asks him to get rid of her husband. But this time, the stakes are much higher...

This film is a Neo-Noir. In a bright sunny climate. It tries to reverse some of the conventions while embracing them. It has a drained out film look. It focuses on the more tawdry elements making it seem as sleazy as the characters. None of the characters are likeable memorable yes. Likeable no.
It just becomes a case of who isn’t as bad or evil then the next. If you are a film fan. You should know what is going to happen but that film tries to throw a monkey wrench into things.

The film has an all star cast. Who are clearly having fun with their roles. Though it is a small cast. They are constantly surprising you their performances. Billy bob Thornton who gained 50 pounds for this film. Literally plays white trash all dirty.
At heart it’s a cynical dark comedy.

Director Oliver Stone admits he is a fan of bad movies. The films he watches obviously have an influence over him as he seems to use tricks he see’s from them. This film isn’t bad. He directs the film as a B-movie. It seems to be a valentine to them or at least his version. While giving the film a blockbuster gloss. I believe he needed to make the film a bit more serious then playing the scenes more for laughs. So that at times we feel nothing is really at stake. We are just watching people go through the motions. When asked why he made the film. Mr. Stone explained that he wanted to make a small film that he would want to watch as a teenager.

This film was around the time Sean Penn was embracing acting again. There was a period where he wasn’t really making any films acting wise. So this was really one of the first times seeing him o the big screen. It’s fun watching him be manic and not in control as he usually plays roles in which he is reserved and laid back. He at first turned the film down and Bill Paxton was cast, but he had to drop out a week before filming, So luckily Sean Penn was willing to step in last minute. Oliver stone even tried to get Tom Cruise to take the lead and Marlon Brando to play the Navajo narrator

Jennifer Lopez needs more roles like this. She plays off her bombshell image and actually allows her to have range. Which Jessica alba tried to similarly do in THE KILLER INSIDE ME to less effect. This role was originally intended for Sharon Stone. When I see Ms. Lopez in this film it reminds me of what she is capable of with the right script, Role and director to help shape her performance. A director who has clout and a reputation to get her to place her trust in them. Instead she seems to choose these romantic comedy where she sleep walks through the roles, yet looking fabulous. Using her star power to intimidate new or hack directors into doing things her way and letting her coast instead of challenging her. I’m not saying every role has to be challenging but at least once in a while. Especially when her potential is obvious.

I looked forward to this film when it was coming out. Even reading the novelization before thefilm came out. Which gives you more of a background on the main character and gives insight into the situations he finds himself in.

This is a neo-noir that takes place in the blazing daylight mostly and has a dark sense of humor about itself that never seems to escape.

This is a film that feels intoxicated with machismo a bit too much that makes all the males pretty much misogynists, despicable and pretty scummy.

The film has a dark heart and is supposed To feel like a gritty noir but plays more like a dark comedy.

To a certain degree the film feels like a waste of the talent involved. As they are all better then this material. That might have been served by a lesser known cast and more novice director. As we and they all know the character types they are playing.

As everyone plays their roles high handed making the films tone come off similarly with all the characters and actors doing the most when not necessary. While Sean Penn under plays the protagonist. So that he does stand a part from the others and more or less set’s The films city character versus all the rural ones.

Jennifer Lopez in this movie more plays the femme fatale. Yet you understand her character and the decisions she Makes. As she is ultimately a victim up until now. As she see’s her chance of escape after planning it for so long. The only strength or power she has had has been the only reason she is paid any attention her looks. Just as the film plays on this and most realize to not underestimate her. As she truly is a scorpion. 

Though sexy the outfit they give her seems short but pretty drab. Not an outfit you will remember.

Jennifer Lopez who I believe to be is one of the true endlessly beautiful leading ladies. Here truly shows she can act when challenged and with the right director to drive her. She truly makes a mark. Which i can’t say with a bunch of her movies. Though Sean penn stars here this feels more like her film as she truly owns it as the treasure everyone seems to want. She is also the one I ended up remembering the most by the end.

From the start she has already been playing the two sides In Town against one another in the middle of an affair only later do we find out the true dirty secrets 

When one of her lovers is dead she celebrates with a dance and a little sing song that shows glee and at heart she is still a little girl at heart. A sadistic one who has grown around that very nature and doesn’t know it to be wrong or evil more her way of surviving using the only commodity she has to survive and scheme her way out.

Sean Penn is noticeable as an outsider throughout. Even if it is Just because he is the only character who has bright colorful clothes. He is good but feels an odd choice. an actor of his caliber seems too good for the material but variety is the spice of life. 

Sean Penn Playing a gambler running to go pay back money owed after being punished severely. As a gambler early in he has to choose two roads whe. His car breaks down and once again he makes a bad bet 

Throughout the day his situations get more intense as he loses money and gains more money. His hardships seem to come at convenience in finding ways to keep him in town and desperate to get out. As they never feel natural more like plot points of a writer. 

I remember reading the novelization of the movie titled STRAY DOGS prior to the release of the film. I was really looking forward to this movie. When watching it the first time it wasn’t exactly what I expected, but still enjoyable. I believe I enjoyed it more then, than I do now. 

I became interested after knowing writer John Ridley wrote THREE KINGS original script.

So I knew this would be hard driven as well and knew Oliver Stone had the talents and visuals plus the cast to make it work.

The big name cast feel like characters all dropped in to fill out the story and each has their own direction. At least those not the major characters who seem to be Jennifer Lopez, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte and Powers Boothe.

This is a sun soaked noir where Oliver Stone seems to be having fun and let’s Loose. He is one of those filmmakers who you could call an auteur but makes so many movies. Where it seems like they are subjects and stories of interest but not necessarily of real true care. 

Like someone who wants to join a conversation but does the least amount of research but speaks like a tried and true expert. Toward this part of his career he seems to have sold out to a degree to go from controversial political dramas to more formulaic dramas and genre experiments. 

it seems like an auteur trying to be more a journeyman director and makes himself know in what should be a small genre film even if just as an exercise. a tale not so common to his other films. While the film is entertaining it is also overwrought and too long.

It feels like a production more then a real tale but  a hard hitting one. Where the cast, filmmakers and movie know what they are making and stay in character with tongue firmly in cheek.

Very few characters here are innocent and they seem to only love while on screen. When not they seem to have no real life or purpose. 

The cast you know will be good eve as Claire Danes, Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Bob Thornton are here more in comedic roles. With Billy Bob Playing Literally a physical example of poor white trash.

The goofy score certainly lets you know. As it is usually a tell tale sign. They make every move feel operatic sometimes it more  epic and covered at so many angles it feels like overkill at times seems to go for an old school feel with modern violence. Everything in the film feels pumped up and leaves nothing to be subtle.

It’s overly stylistic on purpose with and Overactive camera that at times is both annoying and dizzy long as it takes the tension out of certain moments for no real reason. Not to mention calls attention to itself.

Episodic and dealt and bad hand literally. As tell tale signs of death and danger are all around in the dry air and atmosphere. Even the ending feels like a dark joke. 

GRADE: B-