The Limey
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Movie Reviews of The Limey
Movie Review: Sublime Limey ? Not A Chance !
Summary: 5 Stars
Do not expect a twisted and mangled complicated plot or mellodramatic characters; There are none. For 90 minutes the viewer is treated to an out of order (whether the sequences are imagined or will become real remain to be seen) story. The plot is of a man released from prison who wants answers from a multi-millionaire music producer regarding the truth behind his daughter's suspicious death.Terence Stamp's performance as the Limey is what will keep the viewer's attention; He turns in one helluva performance as a semi-rough around the edges yet-sophisticated English/Cockney gent released from prison. The Limey almost comes across as a Charles Bronson character, who despite his older man physical attributes, is still able to do major damage control to those who cross his path and try to hinder his "investigation". He uses his somewhat subtle Cockney charm and accent to accomplish his mission ( check out the scene where he is explaining his actions in his thick accent to an interrogating police detective; it's both critical and yet humorous).Is The Limey a sleep inducer? No. Is it an action flick? No. However, when the scenes with the Limey going in for the kill, what little action, are worth it with a bang!The dvd transfer is clear and right on target with regards to color and sharp images. The 5.1 Dolby Surround track delivers quite a punch (pun intended). As a viewer with center channel capability I felt like I was receiving the wallops in the bar scene !
For anyone who thinks they recognize Terence Stamp from a previous current film, they're right. He appeared in Lucas' Phantom Menace as Chancellor Vallorum who was ousted from his seat by Queen Amidala and the senate.
I recommend this video for it's strong characters and 90 minute length. Had the film been two hours plus I probably would not push this one on friends ! Otherwise, GO FOR IT !
Movie Review: REVENGE IS SWEET!
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent film! This is the best film of the year! I loved every minute of it, and the excellent actors it features including Terence Stamp (Poor Cow, Star Wars Episode 1, Bowfinger) and Peter Fonda (Easy Rider, Ulee's Gold.) This isn't just a revenge film, it's a film about two men. First there's Wilson (Terence Stamp.) Wilson is a British jewel thief whose been in prison half his life, and has a daughter Jenny living in Las Angeles. After his last nine year sentence he is an old, tough ex-con. He immediately flies to Las Angeles to investigate his daughter's "accidental" death. They say she fell asleep at the wheel. Wilson hardly believes that and along with his daughter's friend Eddy, he begins to investigate. He meets Jenny's acting coach and buys a gun, and goes a hunt for revenge against his daughter's killer, Terry Valentine. Second, Terry Valetine (Peter Fonda.) Valentine is an older man warped in his 60's life, he's a record promoter whose been involved with top names like Santana. He lives with his with a girlfriend whose mother he knew while she was pregnet with her. He also is friends with his security agent Avery, who helps him when he learns Jenny's father's in town, seeking revenge. Add events happening all around them, like Avery hiring a bar thug and his friend to assassinate Wilson. Along with great action scenes like a car chase around a mountain between Wilson, Eddy, and Avery and a shocking shoot out ending that will leave you breathless. Tying it up with a great soundtrack including THE SEEKER by THE WHO, and Terence Stamp himself singing COLOURS. This makes a great film, the best of the year and possibly ever!Movie Review: A Modern Day Film Noir
Summary: 5 Stars
Steven Soderbergh's follow up to his wonderful 1998 film "Out of Sight" is more understated and subtle than most people might imagine. The Limey is in many respects the closest Hollywood has come in years to filming a modern film noir picture.The main plot of the Limey is of little to no importance. Terence Stamp plays a bitter old Englishmen who comes to LA to seek revenge for his murdered daughter. His pursuit of vengeance eventually leads him to a sleazy record producer, brilliantly played by Peter Fonda.
The Limey is a film that revolves around its use of atmosphere. Soderbergh, forever a film geek, uses cuts in time and flashbacks (a constant one to Stamp on a plane) to establish a dark gritty atmosphere which he manages to sustain throughout the whole film. The scripting is a perfect fabrication of a film noir, every character is menacingly constructed to be a worn out tough guy.
If anything negative can be said about the film is that it seems to go on a little long. In actuality the film is perfect length but the many scenes without dialogue make it seem longer than it is. Time and time again does Soderbergh cut to shots of Stamp staring into thin air reflecting. It establishes atmosphere wonderfully but if you are looking for a wild ride of an action movie the Limey is not your cup of tea.
The Limey is a movie that would be adored by serious film fans but despised by the kind of people who go to the theatre just to watch a fun popcorn movie.If you got this far and you're reading this review then you probably love films.
Movie Review: scattered and unreliable, like memories always are
Summary: 5 Stars
Terrence Stamp is taking a plane back to England after some dirty business in Los Angeles. While on the plane, he thinks back, not only on what he has just done, but on his life and the choices he has made (and perhaps should have).
His memories are unreliable, as memories will be, and you are left to sort through them.
What some might mistake for continuity errors are actually faulty memories. Characters appear in different clothes, say things differently each time certain scenes are replayed. Sometimes he hears only what he wants to hear. Later, he often realizes that he missed something crucial in what was being said. At times he replays all the possibilities of what he could have done (see his first encounter with Peter Fonda), and in others he is imagining what must have transpired beyond the limits of his observation.
Much has been made of the editing and non-linear story line as being nothing but gimmicks. But in this case, these are not tricks, but instead are essential devices for understanding his character and his actions.
Beautifully filmed and solidly acted, The Limey plays out like a dream, flows like a poem, and leaves the viewer with the task of deciding what is what.
Ostensibly a revenge film, The Limey is more of a character study and a meditation on who is really to blame when things go this wrong.
This film is not for careless diversionary viewing. It takes a little time and work, but (in this reviewer's mind) it's well worth the effort.
Movie Review: a fast 'n' loose crime thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
I always thought that this was a slightly darker companion piece to Soderbergh's Out of Sight but where that film was more in a classic Hollywood style, The Limey is a jump cutting mood piece that is closer to the independent scene. Every so often, Soderbergh likes to shake things up by doing one of these quick, down 'n' dirty indie films between big budget films.Terence Stamp has never been better as the hard as nails Wilson. With that steely glare and fierce determination you really begin to pity anybody who crosses his path. This is a really fascinating tale of revenge and, ultimately, redemption. I would have never thought of casting Peter Fonda as the heavy but he's quite good as the morally bankrupt baddie. He's almost overshadowed by the criminally underrated Barry Newman who plays his no-nonsense right hand man. Throw in Leslie Ann Warren and the always entertaining Luis Guzman (who gets some great lines in this film -- esp. during the party scene at Fonda's house), and you've got one helluva film.
This DVD is particularly worth checking out for the rousing commentary with Soderbergh and the film's screenwriter Lem Dobbs. These guys get into quite the heated argument during the film that is quite entertaining to listen to! It's certainly something you don't hear every day.
If you're a fan of Soderbergh's films but only know him from the high profile projects like Erin Brockovich or Ocean's Eleven, then check this little gem out. They don't make crime films any better than this bad boy.