Point Blank
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.95 You Save: $9.98 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.38 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Point Blank
Movie Review: mean mad Marvin . . .
Summary: 3 Stars
In the late 60's, if you wanted an actor to play a tough, mean, angry SOB, you might be hard pressed to find someone better for the role than Lee Marvin. Directed by John Boorman, Point Blank (1967) features Marvin (The Dirty Dozen), as Walker, a hard boiled criminal with a burning desire for revenge, willing to break in half, anyone that gets in his way.
Walker, his wife Lynne (Sharon Acker), and buddy Mal Reese (John Vernon), are partners in crime. On Alcatraz island to make a score, Reese decides to end the partnership by putting a couple of slugs into Walker, taking his wife, and his share of the loot (93 thousand dollar$).
A year later, recovered from his wounds, and with the help of a mysterious underworld figure named Yost (Keenan Wynn), Walker is ready for revenge. Things won't be easy, as Reese knows Walker is coming, and is holed up in a penthouse suite, surrounded by bodyguards. Walker has enlisted the help of his wife's sister Chris (Angie Dickinson), and uses her to get to Reese. Things get a bit messy, as Reese loses his balance, and Walker learns that his money has been paid to the Organization. It's the money that really drives Walker. Even when Lynne and Reese are no longer in the picture, Walker's desire to reclaim the $93,000, propels him to risk his life taking on the organization. Under Yost's guiding hand, things ironically finish where they began, as Walker and his cash both end up on Alcatraz.
Point Blank would probably not be regarded today, as particularly violent or shocking, and may now be of interest more for its historical significance, and notable cast. Lee Marvin, rarely a straight up good guy, makes an appropriate antihero, in what was then, a rather violent statement. The use of flashback cuts, seems to add ambiguity rather than clarify matters. Boorman, perhaps most well-known as the director of Deliverance (1972) and The General (1998), would team up with Marvin again in the World War II adventure, Hell in the Pacific (1968).
Movie Review: Characters with Focus = Winners!
Summary: 3 Stars
With no prompting or knowledge of this movie, I took the plunge since I'm a fan of late 60s - 70s shows.
Given the vintage, this watch follows many of the devices of modern movies. Thus, I wasn't quite as entertained as I usually am with these types of shows. Although not a fan of too much dialogue, this film lacked the lines where they would have been useful.
The style and scenes of the era are always nice. There wasn't much wasted time on development of character, which is a plus, too.
Those of you who prefer characters with simple motives, Walker will join your list of favorites. All demand can be reduced to a basic element and Walker's is retrieving stolen cash. And I particularly admired his resistance to distraction from shapely dames and conversations therewith. Surely, you will find his focus on task refreshing given most characters seem to have the attention span of a gnat.
And, Angie Dickinson is an even trad-off for the hip stuff.
Movie Review: Most accidents happen within three miles of home
Summary: 3 Stars
I dunno, I sense an approach at "style", but it's still early in this director's career...and it just hasn't jelled yet. Compared to "Bullitt", released a year later, this film is kinda thin. A viewer can allow himself to be drawn in, but for me the whole thing is not fully realised. You want it to work, but it doesn't reach cruising altitude. Mr Marvin was born for this role, but his stoic silence doesn't create any kind of character beyond the revenge angle. Perhaps that's the point. That's his "Point", and he is "Blank" (!) I will admit there is a consistant feeling of unreality, that fits in with the theory that it is all a dying man's fever dream. Actually, this might be a "ghost" film, predating "The Sixth Sense". It's worth watching, and repeat viewings may reward.Movie Review: 2.5 stars out of 4
Summary: 3 Stars
The Bottom Line:
Frankly overrated, Point Blank largely consists of Lee Marvin drudging his his way up the San Francisco criminal food chain to find out who set him up, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake; if you've seen any sort of revenge thriller you'll have a good idea what's going to happen, and you'll probably long for a more interesting or expressive actor in the lead.
Movie Review: Hard to follow film, but worthwile for fine acting
Summary: 3 Stars
This period piece starts out fuzzy. How did Marvin's character escape Alcatraz after being shot, and where did he recooperate? Who is the shadowy character that helps him bring down "The Organization?" What the hell is this "Organization?"
Anyway, the film then turns into a revenge film, and Lee Marvin's ferocious performance erupts often enough to keep your interest.