Good Euro-Crime Thriller
M. Brennan | Cookstown,, Tyrone. Northern Ireland | 12/12/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a Good example of the Euro-Crime Thriller.Kirk Douglas plays Steve Wallace, a middle-aged ex-con trying for one last big score befores he retires.Florinda Bolkan plays his beautiful trusting wife who has waited for his return for years, but her patience is wearing thin even though her love and loyalty to her husband is unbreakable.
Italian Star, Giuliano Gemma plays the young protege who helps Wallace out in this slow paced and well told story that has the usuall downbeat offerings of many Euro-Crime thrillers along with the exciting action sequences.Indeed at times the film reminds me of Michael Mann's,"HEAT".
Especially the character played by Robert DeNiro(Neal McCauley) who is reminiscent of the Steve Wallace character in Michele Lupo's,"The Master Touch" - aka: A Man To Respect.
Cinematography is by the late, Tonino Delli Colli who worked with many of the great Italian Directors including Sergio Leone.
All in all this was a worthwhile purchase and St.Clair-Vision has done a nice job on this DVD transfer.The picture is a little grainy at times but didn't put off the overall enjoyment.If you like a good crime yarn,then this is the film for you.
"
Plenty of action and tension
K. Williams | Los Angeles, CA USA | 03/07/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Released from prison, Steve (Kirk Douglas) is tempted to perform one last seemingly impossible heist. Eschewing the offer from notorious gangsters, he pairs up with an agile trapeze artist met in a street fight and plans a concurrent FOOLPROOF alibi and perfect crime. Unfortunately, fools are involved which leads to three brutal fights, one exhaustive car chase, and more than one vendetta to be settled -- leaving Steve to wonder if the effort was equal to the potential payoff. Be careful about making friends with acquaintances met in an alley.
Caveats: Image of this made-for-TV production is VHS quality on the DVD. There may be too much violence for some families."