I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
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Movie Reviews of I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Movie Review: Plodding crime drama left unfinished
Summary: 2 Stars
You could be forgiven after watching this movie, to think it is a pilot movie for an English style "Soprano's", and be keenly awaiting the next installment after the end credits roll. The thrust of the story revolves around the seedier side of the London underworld, and is atmospheric, and at times a gritty urban drama. Clive Owen plays a former gangland boss who has (for some reason that is only ever hinted at) disappeared into obscurity, small time menial jobs, and living in a converted panel van, in the rural countryside. His friend (left behind, along with girlfriend, and former associates) seek him out, after his younger playboy brother is found dead, apparently having commited suicide, after being raped (yes you heard me , raped). Mr Owen, must revisit his old ways we assume, to find the reason behind the death, and bring the villians to justice, London mobster style. Sounds like a great drama, but what we get is a long and plodding build up with many questions unanswered. The film begins to deliver on the promise of it's opening hour or so in the last 5 minutes of running time, but then leaves everything unanswered, and the viewer hanging. Owen is believable as the brooding "Kray Twins" style gangster in contemporary London, and there is a good supporting cast. But most will agree that the talent on display is wasted. This is a compelling film, and fairly good story, spoilt by some wayward directing, and a long slow build up to a nothing ending. That may sound harsh, and other professional "Critics" as usual have raved about this - I must have missed the point - very disappointing.Movie Review: A shame, really
Summary: 2 Stars
I know it is not always fair to judge a director's latest work by stacking it against earlier efforts, but in the case of Mike Hodges, who has only made 2 previous films in 33 years (1971's "Get Carter" and the more recent "Croupier") expectations tend to run high. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" reunites "Croupier" star Clive Owen with Hodges in another moody "Brit Noir". Curiously, Hodges appears bent on doing a semi-remake of "Get Carter". There is a glaringly similar set up borrowed from the former movie-a low-grade criminal's suspicious "accidental" death is tirelessly investigated and ultimately avenged by an estranged brother. Owens even plays his character with the same glum, poker-faced resolve that Michael Caine used in "Carter". Unfortunately, where the former film evolved into an engaging character study after the set-up, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" quickly loses steam and turns into a by-the-numbers revenge thriller (and I apply the word "thriller" loosely here). The film is so somnambulent that I found myself marvelling at how much Malcolm McDowell and Sting resemble each other these days, rather than caring about whether McDowell's character would get his due (if I had a yo-yo with me, I probably would have practiced "walking the dog" while awaiting the inevitable denouement). Perhaps I missed some subtle subtext or point (always a possibility during a first viewing) but it will be a long time before I can steel myself to sit through this one again. If you are a fan of Hodges' previous films, you will probably want to satisfy your curiosity; but consider yourself duly warned!Movie Review: If you like slow, dull, grey wankery....here's your film!
Summary: 2 Stars
Wow, was this boring. Endless shots of guys driving to and fro in London, where according to this film the sun never shines. Everybody in a bad mood almost all the time (blame the weather?). All the ingredients from a typical Brit gangster film but none of the fun, zing, and intrigue. Just a technically well-shot but increasingly dull story about revenge and a few rather unpleasant scenes of various sorts.
All of which leads exactly nowhere.
And why does Malcolm McDowell look now look Sting after a 20-year binge on booze and pills? It's painful to see. Alex, me droogy, wot 'appened? At least he looked better here than in the latest season of Entourage, where he's like Medusa: don't look lest ye die of fright!
Clive and Rampling are ok, but I can only guess the director insisted on zero emotion from almost everyone here...perhaps to signify glowering rage and/or existential despair, instead suggesting only how nice a nap would feel right about now.
If this review can encourage even one reader to watch almost any other movie, or just rewatch Get Carter or Lock Stock or Snatch yet again, then I've done my job and can go back to sleep, where I wish I'd been instead of blowing 100 minutes on this 100% turkey.
Movie Review: What was this?
Summary: 2 Stars
I rented this movie specifically to see another example of Clive Owen's work. His brief impressive appearance in Bourne Identity piqued my interest. Well, he was not disappointing in this, but the film overall sure was. It starts out well enough, drawing you in as you're trying to figure out why a series of events leads to a suicide. But then it goes awry quickly. Director Hodges must be an idiot or he doesn't know quite how to edit. He likes to leave us guessing about a number of details; that's alright as the story unfolds and it heightens the mystery and suspense. But when the film has concluded and we still don't know some crucial facts, it leaves me wondering what he was attempting to do. We're not really told enough about the past of Owen's character or his relationship with the other main characters. Then, the final scenes are both abrupt and inexplicable- a murder and Charlotte Rampling still being held hostage. What the ---? Just as baffling, there are scenes along the way that seem to have no purpose- such as one of those when he's lumber-jacking. Yes, Clive Owen is good enough in this, but I recommend that you pass on it and go on to Croupier instead, another film flawed by Hodges presposterous editing, but a much better movie than this.Movie Review: Had hopes with its great cast, but a disappointing movie
Summary: 2 Stars
We figured that with Clive Owen and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers headlining this film, it was a sure-fire good rental. Given the U.K. gangster subtext, even catching a bit of the oomph contained in the comet that was 'Sexy Beast'...well, who could pass that up?
Too bad, then, this film was such a letdown. It's certainly not due to either Owen or Rhys-Meyers, who have little to work with, frankly, in terms of a compelling narrative. And one can't blame Charlotte Rampling or Malcolm McDowell either - Rampling's role is smallish, hazily drawn. McDowell plays a pivotal part, but I never figured out what drove him to do the shocking act around which the film revolves. I figured it was due to some deep-seated resentment or long-sheathed act of revenge. In fact, it's explained as nothing of the sort. In fact, it seems petty more than anything else. And that makes the whole concept of the film downright perplexing.
I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how this one went awry. The US box office certainly wasn't interested in figuring it out either: it brought in only $360,759 during its run here according to Box Office Mojo.