Amazon.com

Critics tripped all over their big feet to praise Big Night, and in doing so performed a grave disservice to this fine little film. They fooled audiences into believing it was a "super movie" instead of a home movie buoyed by friends and family. Consequently, many viewers were disappointed. Big Night is an intimate look at the immigrant struggle to attain the American Dream, set in New Jersey in the 1950s. Its disproportionate success gave co-directors Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, who also star in the picture, the green light to follow up with a smug, unsuccessful second venture called The Imposters. Tucci wrote Big Night with his cousin Joseph Tropiano, and they based the story on the experience of growing up in a large, proud Italian family. The brothers in Big Night--chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Tucci)--have come to New Jersey to open a bistro named The Paradise that serves the finest in traditional, authentic Italian cuisine. Their every move is foiled by rival restaurant Pascal's, which serves mile-high servings of spaghetti and meatballs and flasks of bad Chianti at exorbitant prices.Primo is disgusted by the fact that Americans want cheap pasta instead of risotto, so Secondo hatches a plan to boost business: rumor has it bandleader Louis Prima is travelling through and will dine at The Paradise that very night.Secondo gambles to bring the finest dinner ever cooked--at the risk of losing his shirt and being reduced to exile to the old country with his tail between his legs. Big Night is a film that will easily invite comparisons to other "food" fare like Babette's Feast and Eat Drink Man Woman but, though Tucci insists his story is "about the struggle between art and commerce and the risk of staying true to yourself," the media refused to let it stay a small, comparative work. The movie, and the buzz around it, became a parable for the essence of the film itself: art vs. commerce. --Paula Nechak ... Read more

Reviews (62)

People should-a come just-a for the food...
Primo (Tony Shaloub) is a traditionalist, a perfectionist, an artist; he is a chef without compromise. His younger brother, Secondo (Stanley Tucci), will compromise, bend, wheel and deal; he is a desperate businessman who cares about food, but is realistic. Unfortunately, their little restaurant is way, way ahead of its time. When their 1950s customers go out for Italian food, they want red-checked tablecloths and lotsa spaghetti and meatballs, not risotto and delicate wine. How can their restaurant stay in business? It can't, but they try to save it with an all-out feast for a famous Italian jazzman. If you're the least bit hungry when you watch this film, you've got trouble, because food has never looked this good. It's a quiet, slow movie, but you get to know Primo and Secondo completely, and you find yourself wishing their restaurant was in your neighborhood so you could go there and give them all your money.

What a delight - but eat before you watch it
Eat before you watch this movie; otherwise, you'll end up painfully hungry and go stuff yourself with every bit of Italian food you can lay your hands on.

This is a simple story of two brothers struggling to fulfill their dreams - one to be a "success" in America; the other to be a great Italian chef.

Realizing the dreams of the first brother hinges on the success of one important meal depends on the skill of the second - and forces outside their control.

Tucci, Shaloub, Holm and company all give wonderful performances. There's no showing off by the many successful actors who are in this movie - they all just do a great job.

The climax of the movie is the banquet scene, and it's going to make you hungry and want to get up and dance.

The final scene which lasts for several minutes with the only dialog being one line - "are you hungry" - wraps up the movie nicely, and shows what a good director and actors can do when both understand the power of subtlety.

This is one fun movie - lots of laughs, amazing food, and a great soundtrack.

Wonderful "Little Film" -- So-So DVD
Stanley Tucci, as actor, co-writer, and co-director (with Campbell Scott, who also plays a pitch-perfect small part as a car salesman), deserves a great deal of the credit for this small, intimate, delightful film. But the film resonates because it got so many of the little touches right, from the ensemble cast to the soundtrack to the editing to the cinematography. So there is a lot of credit to go around.

Tucci plays Secondo, the aptly named younger of two Italian brothers who have emigrated to New Jersey from the Old Country. Secondo is the entrepreneur, the guy who wants the big Cadillac. Primo (Tony Shahloub), the older brother, is the magician of a chef. Primo is so good, in fact, that his culinary masterpieces go over the heads of the good folks of New Jersey. When contemplating a wonderful seafood risotto, a diner complains that she can't see the seafood, and that her desired side of spaghetti doesn't come with meatballs (inspiring the wonderful line, "Sometimes spaghetti wants to be alone").

Primo bemoans the fact that he is serving food to Philistines, but the sad fact is that most of the Philistines are eating across the street at Pascal's restaurant. Pascal, played with great zest by Ian Holm, knows that you have to give the customer what he wants -- even if it is culinary sacrilege. The contrasts between the restaurants, from the colors to the lighting to the clientele, could not be more staggering!

Secondo laments to Pascal of his financial woes, but refuses Pascal's (repeated) offer to come work for him. Pascal, being a big-hearted guy, tells Secondo to pull of a "big night," with no holds barred. Pascal will invite his good friend, Louis Prima, who will come, eat, and love Secondo's restaurant. Then, the people will come.

So the story builds to the big night (a side plot regarding Secondo's tortured love life notwithstanding), which is where the movie really takes off.

Organizing the banquet scene into courses, "Big Night" revels in the wonders that can only be brought about by great cooking. The cast has a difficult task -- how do you emote rapture without going over the top? The ensemble cast, which includes Isabella Rosselini, Minnie Driver, and Allison Janney, nails this task just right. The cooking scenes are also hectic and impressive without going over the top, too.

Following the big night, many truths are revealed, perhaps because it is impossible to deceive after having such a wondrous experience. If this film doesn't move you, or inspire you to get thee hence to an Italian restaurant, you have no heart!

But again, the heart of the movie is its dedication to the small touches. From Primo using his cup to tamp down his espresso grounds to the making of a simple omelet, this movie gets it all just right.

The DVD does not have much to offer as far as extras go. What it does have is one heck of little film.

A bland meal
I've seen BIG NIGHT described as "one of the great food movies". Let me clarify something here. The adjective "great" modifies "food", but not "movies".

Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci) are Italian immigrant brothers who've opened the Paradise restaurant in an unidentified surfside town on the Eastern seaboard sometime in the 1950s. The elder Primo is a superlative chef, and both he and Secondo know it. But, Primo cooks to his desires and not the customers'. So, two years into the venture, the brothers are almost broke, the bank is about to repossess, and Secondo, the one with the business sense, is driven to despairing distraction.

Down the street is the competing Italian restaurant owned by Pascal (Ian Holm). While he admires Primo's talent, Pascal gives his patrons what they want, so his eatery is enormously successful. To help the boys out, Pascal arranges to have his friend, the Italian-American singer Louis Prima, come to the Paradise with his band for dinner. Secondo spends virtually the last of their savings preparing for the BIG NIGHT with the expectation that the event and its attendant publicity will yank them back from the brink of insolvency. In the meantime, he avoids emotional commitment to his girlfriend Phyllis (Minnie Driver) while having an affair with Gabriella (Isabella Rossellini), Pascal's mistress. After all, what are pals for?

The best bits of this film are the too infrequent cooking sequences. But the best ends there. BIG NIGHT doesn't know whether to be a drama or comedy, and succeeds at neither. The dialogue is flat and uninspired throughout, and the plot goes nowhere of interest. My wife, perhaps a dollop more impressed than I was, called the film a "character study". But no persona in this otherwise dull movie is engaging, and, indeed, I found Pascal's ebullient crassness positively annoying. About the only other good thing I can say about BIG NIGHT is that it uses as props some well-preserved, large tail-finned, period Cadillacs that will perhaps stimulate vintage car buffs.

Better films to rent that revolve around food preparation are MOSTLY MARTHA (2001) and EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994). These, at least, portray characters to care about.

The American cinema needs more BIG NIGHTS!
The film "Big Night" is not a small little picture that was over-hyped by critics. The only person who would be disappointed in this film would be some 15-year old kid that was looking for some kind of "2 Fast 2 Furious" crap. Over all the Amazon editorial staff does a fine job of presenting the plot or scope of a film, book, or CD. In the case of "Big Night" I am left to wonder if the reviewer watched the film or just read the back of the DVD case. Her opinions are fine but in the review itself she wrongly guides the reader as to both the plot and the outcome of the movie- Two things that should never be done. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hoo-hah! After seven Oscar nominations for his outstanding work in films such as The Godfather, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon, it's ironic that Al Pacino finally won the Oscar for his grandstanding lead performance in this 1992 crowd pleaser. As the blind, blunt, and ultimately benevolent retired Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, Pacino is both hammy and compelling, simultaneously subtle and grandly over-the-top when defending his new assistant and prep school student Charlie (Chris O'Donnell) at a disciplinary hearing. While the subplot involving Charlie's prep-school crisis plays like a sequel to Dead Poets Society, Pacino's adventurous escapades in New York City provide comic relief, rich character development, and a memorable supporting role for Gabrielle Anwar as the young woman who accepts the colonel's invitation to dance the tango. Scent of a Woman is a remake of the 1972 Italian film Profumo di donna. In addition to Pacino's award, the picture garnered Oscar nominations for director Martin Brest and for screenwriter Bo Goldman. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (73)

By far my favorite movie
When I first heard of this movie, I had no clue what it was about. My friend and I saw a teaser poster with Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar dancing the tango labeled "Scent of a Woman". Putting two and two together, we went into the theater thinking we were watching a love story until the movie started. Whoops. Despite my misgivings in the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised. What I found was a riveting story of mentor-mentee relationship. I love movies that involve the master taking young grasshopper under his wing. Except master is not Mr. Perfect himself. Both the student and the teacher learn from each other's weaknesses. And despite Lt Col Slade's struggle with his misfortunate blinding accident, his Army core values were still in tact. Hard-working and willing to give up a Thanksgiving weekend to look after an embittered retiree, Slade sees an underlying goodness in Chris O'Donnell's fragile, fence-sitting character, Charlie. Like most young men his age, he was susceptible to peer pressure and could easily choose the wrong path as his friends had. Slade is blind but easily sees the temptation to compromise the boy's integrity and future. "This old bat has sharper radar than the Nautilus" Slade tells his young league. He lays all the cards out for Charlie to see, but knew instinctively it was up to the boy to make his own decision. Charlie eventually shows his true colors in the face of adversity. Like a good soldier, he never leaves his commander's side even when the danger is self-inflicting. Character like that is a rarity in anyone and must be preserved! This prompts Slade to reciprocate his support for Charlie who is enrolled in a prestigious school reknowned for producing some of the most important figure heads in America. "Be careful what type of leaders you're making," he warns the school staff. Charlie learns lessons in life that no school could teach him.

Underneath the tough exterior, there was a softer side to Slade. He definitely had a thing for the ladies. Instead of playing up a macho cassanova, "Mac-Daddy" persona predominate in a lot of films today, Slade is quite the charmer and gentlemen. He's cultured, sophisticated, genteel and surprisingly knowledgeable about women's perfume. Hence the film's title. I find that warrior-poet quality incredibly sexy and appealing. You can't resist a man who makes the tango look so easy and doesn't mind getting "all tangled up" with you. A beautiful role played by Pacino earning him a well-deserved oscar which probably was most credited for by his empowering monologue in the end. This is by far his best role in a movie.

Lovely film. Sweet, sad, romantic yet uplifting. This is truly a classic for the ages.

One of This Decade's Best Films
I have probably watched "Scent of A Woman" thirty times. I find it one of those movies that becomes hypnotic a few minutes into it. Al Pacino is absolutely outstanding in the role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, retired from the U.S. Army. Slade, blinded by a drinking/grenade game he was playing with one of his drinking buddies, is now living as an embittered alcoholic with an adult niece, her husband and two little children. He is an arrogant, angry man used to issuing orders and not displaying very much gratitude or affection.

Charlie Simms, played well by Chris O'Donnell, is a scholarship at a nearby prep school in the same town in New Hampshire where Slade lives. Charlie's trying to earn some money over the Thanksgiving weekend so that he can travel home to his parents in Oregon at the Christmas break.He discovers an ad placed by Slade's niece to care for her blind uncle over the Thanksgiving break so that she can travel with her husband and kids to Albany, New York for Thanksgiving with her in-laws.Charlie answers the ad and the adventure quickly develops.

Slade has his own plans for Thanksgiving. A last big blowout in New York City before killing himself.

He is abusive to Charlie at first and acts as if he is one of his military aides. He doesn't let him in on his plans until it's practically time to leave for New York -- while Charlie had been told by Slade's niece that the weekend would be at her home looking after her uncle.

A beautiful bonding begins as Slade and Simms interact and except for his anger and bitterness, it is obvious that Slade is not particularly handicapped by his blindness as he has developed an extra few "senses" which make him seem remarkable.

The journey to New York is a roller coaster of emotion from comic to touching to almost tragic. When Slade finally decides to kill himself, Charlie manages to save the day -- although it's pretty touch and go keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Charlie has problems of his own. He's not particularly self confident and Slade is tremendously intimidating. Charlie's other problems center around an incident at school which places him at a crossroads -- whether he should rat on some kids at school at the headmaster's own brand of intimidation, or face expulsion.

The movie concludes with an impassioned speech by Colonel Slade on Charlie' behalf before a school-wide assembly being held for a disciplinary committee hearing on the incident Charlie has knowledge of.

Simms remains true to himself and proves himself to show new confidence and an outstanding sense of personal integrity.

Slade has also benefited by his own plans gone awry and his opening a window of care for Charlie as another human being. He emerges as a sign of hope to overcome his bitterness, anger and alcoholism.

An absolutely remarkable film!!!

My Two Scents
Actor Al Pacino has amassed quite a stellar career over the years, filled with strong performances, that make him one of the best at what he does. He skills, magnetism, and range put him at the top of my favorites lists. For 1992's Scent Of A Woman he hits another high point, winning an Oscar, and alowing a relative newcomer to earn his acting chops, working with a master.

Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) is a young scholarship student at an exclusive prep school in New Hampshire who agrees to look after Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Al Pacino), a blind retired army officer, to earn extra money over the Thanksgiving break. Frank is an acid tongued and cynical bully who completely suprises Charlie with his plans for their weekend together. He has bought them tickets to New York, booked a suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and rented a limousine, all to take the Big Apple by storm. Before Charlie realizes what he has gotten into, he is accompanying the colonel around Manhattan as they begin their wild and eye-opening adventures that include a fast-paced test drive in a Ferrari and a tango with a beautiful woman (Gabrielle Anwar). Frank's passion is women; he waxes lyrically on their bodies, scent, and sensuality, and gradually Charlie becomes aware of the sentimental romantic buried deep within the lonely man's heart.

Directed by Martin Brest, the film is nearly pitch perfect, with Pacino commanding the screen. Even though, I know Pacino isn't really blind--he plays the disability very well. By the end, I couldn't imagine another actor, playing it as "real" as he did. I thought O'Donnell was also quite impressive holding his own oppossite Pacino. The script from Bo Goldman has drama, humor and is very organic. The only minor problem I had was the film's very end. A bit predictable if you ask me...

The film deserves to have an upgrade to special edition status. The current DVD has little in the way of extras. I wanted more. There's only a few production notes and cast biographies on the disc. Not even the theatrical trailer made the extras. Until a special edition is a reality, the film is still a must see, even in its current form on DVD.

I'll Show you out of order!
I absolutely love this movie. The first advertisement I saw for this movie was a poster of Al Pacino and Gabriel Anwar doing the tango. My firend I went into the movie theaters eagerly awaiting to see a lovely romantic comedy. But when the first scene started with a boys school and just kept going, we were beginning to wonder if we walked into the right movie.

However, the movie was captivating as soon as Al Pacino came on screen, he obligates Chris O'Donnell to accompany him to the airport and head to New York. You keep wanting to see what happened next in the movie and before you know it, you've just fallen in love with a hopeless manic-depressive and a young kid whose promising future is about to go under because of a compromising situation that swing the wrong way.

Where does loyalty start and integrity ends? Both Pacino and O'Donnell have to come to grips with in some fashion or another. But there is no doubt the bond between the two of them is unbreakable.

Pacino Shines
Scent of a Woman, a 1993 Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture, is about a friendship that builds between two opposite people, the blind retired Lt. Colonel Frank Slade and the prep school student Charlie Simms, during a wild weekend in New York City. Both are coming to a crossroads in their lives. Charlie has to decide whether he will tell on who played a practical joke on the school's headmaster. But his future is lying in midst of it. And Lt. Colonel Frank Slade, once an aide to Former President Lyndon Johnson, now blind, is considering taking his own life. Their friendship grows, and although I don't want to give too much away, I'll say that I was satisfied with the ending.

Al Pacino's performance in this was stellar, and have many others have mentioned, won him his first Best Actor Oscar. Great film which will undoubtedly be enjoyed by many for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (353)

A Masterpiece...
Bill Parrish ( Anthony Hopkins) is a media tycoon who is about to celebreate his 65th birthday. Unfortunately, it is also his time to die as well, because Death ( Brad Pitt) decides to pay Bill a visit. Bill manages to make a deal with Death to keep him alive a little bit longer, in exchange for teaching him what it is like to be human. Things become complicated however, when Death not only takes up an interest in life, but in Bill's beautiful daughter Susan ( Claire Forlani) as well.

For some reason "Meet Joe Black" has received mixed reviews from critics and moviegoers. In my opinion, this remake of the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" was one of the best films I have seen in quite some time. The movie has gained a reputation for being long and drawn out because it is 3 hours long. I did not find the film to be drawn out at all, and time flew by for me when watching this film. Brad Pitt is actually a very good actor and shows it in this film. Pitt accurately portrayed how Death would react to the world around him with his endless curiousity and naive behavior. The scene where Death discovers peanut butter for the first time is priceless!! Anthony Hopkins was great as usual, and turns in another oscar worthy performance as Bill Parrish. You come to legitimately feel for his character because you know that it is only a matter of time before the inevitable is coming. The thing that impressed me most about the film, was that the romantic story between Death and Claire Forlani's character Susan is extremely well done, despite the gloom setting that Death's presence brings. I also highly recommend picking up the soundtrack to this film. The musical score used was outstanding.

The only piece of advice I can give with this film, is to ignore its reputation and give it a shot. Overall, "Meet Joe Black" is a captivating and touching film with great performances given from the actors and an incredible soundtrack.

A solid 5 stars...

What a range of acting by Brad Pitt!
OK, the guy has played some weird roles in some rather bad movies -- but he's always played them well. This movie takes full advantage of Pitt's talent by having him play the nice guy, tough guy, intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and romantic. There are scenes where he is actually funny even though it's presented in a subtle way. I found myself laughing out loud several times and couldn't believe I was watching a movie about death! So now Brad is playing his best role ever in a great movie and the critics seemed to pan the movie anyway.

Hopkins and Forlani are also excellent in their roles. Hopkins gives a wonderful performance as a loving father and powerful business man faced with death, but having to hide it from his family. Claire Forlani plays the part of his beautiful and intelligent daughter so well. She's constantly probing into Joe's situation to find out why he is living in her father's house meanwhile falling in love with this stranger and teaching Joe about love (something that is obviously new to him).

The contrast between Pitt, the lawyer in the coffee shop and Pitt as Joe is fascinating. The guy in the coffee shop is opimistic, fun, lively and a great conversationalist. He smiles and laughs easily making Susan extremely attracted to him. Pitt as death (Joe) is quite different even though he looks the same. Joe is quiet, serious, mysterious, and somewhat clueless about people. As time goes on, Joe becomes more comfortable and Susan gets him to smile after his first kiss and he get a "week feeling" in his knees. The love scene is beautifully done and shows Susan undressing Joe. They get to the point where he can't get his shirt off all the way and he has this huge grin looking at Susan. I loved that part!

There is a lot of conflict in this movie too. Many of the characters have personal issues to work out. It seems like a simple story but actually has several stories being told.

Death at its finest
I do believe this is one of the rare movies that every member of the cast gave a stellar performace. But applause must go to Pitt for his portrayal as both Death and the human Joe Black. The subtle changes in his character was performed masterfully. Forlani did well as the youngest daughter of the media mogul Parish, going from daddy's little girl to seductress. But besides it, this movie also raises some deeper issues, like highlighting the small things we take for granted in our everyday life. Do make an effort to watch it, you'll find yourself profoundly touched by it.

One of the best of all times
Meet Joe Black is one of my favourite movie of all times, I think it is also one of the best movie of all times. I remember the first time I saw it in the theatre; I was taking a break in the middle of my projects with hardly any sleep for days. I did not realise that is was a 3 hr movie and I did not fall asleep. The opening scene with Anthony Hopkin just captivated me within the first 5 mins of the movie. Since then, I have watched it over 5 times, each time with new discovery in the wonderfully written script about love, death, and life; how a perfect gentle, who I think has everything, still cannot escape mortality, and how this fear has been transformed into courage. The movie had many wonderful moments, one of which when Hopkin with Forlani in the helicopter talking about love like "when lightning strike", also a moving scene when Bill's (Hopkins charactor) less favourite daughter told the father that it is alright as everyone is allowed to have a favourite, it is OK as long as she feels loved. I strongly recommend anyone to watch the movie for yourself and not listening to the negative reviews from the "critics" as most of the time, they are wrong.

GREAT- MUST SEE!
I never liked Brad Pitt in his movies, so when my neighbor told me to watch it, I was hesitant. I thought it was going to be really dumb. I watched it anyway and have found a great movie! Brad Pitt was awesome! I couldn't believe it. This movie is worth it's weight in gold. (or at least the 12-20 bucks most places are asking for it!) If you haven't seen this you have got to! The lines are perfect, they all fit together, and there is enough comedy, romance, mystery, etc ,etc to keep it from being too sad. In the end, it is happy so for those of you who don't like sad movies - DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS ONE, IT IS GREAT! ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Keep feeding the hole / Very dark movie
A very dark film about a man's love, greed, and moral dilemma. Gary Oldman plays a crooked cop named Jack Grimaldi who is cheating on his wife, stealing money from the FBI working for the mob giving up key witnesses for a payoff. His character still has emotion and morals in himself which he struggles with and yet is still likeable in a strange way. He gets in a jam when the key witness he supposed to catch he's also supposed to kill. He comes up with a plan to have the russian sick Mona Demarkov fake her death by giving her a fake death certificate for money in return. But this plan back fires. The fight scene with him and Demarkov in the car is intense. By the end he is left to his own devices but makes it out okay in his own way. A story about one man's struggle with greed vs moral. One of my favorite films.

Sex, drugs,money and the Journey to Hell
Lena Olin gives a great performance as a cold blooded Russian mob boss. The short version of this movie? Gary Oldman plays a currupt cop who is seduced by Olin. She plays the most devilish character I've ever seen. She convinces the Oldman character to give up his wife,mistress and way of life for cash and some affection. It's a [heck] of a ride. Run out and buy this one. This one can stand up to repeated viewings.

THIS MOVIE HAS STYLE AND SUBSTANCE. IN THAT ORDER.
What a tragic waste of such a great cast.

The film's self-absorption with creating high octane noirish melodrama does it in. As though the directors have seen and savoured a lot of neo-noir stuff, which allows them to be sardonic about it.

The end product is shocking, violent, and more often than often simply over-the-top. That covers pretty much all that one could remember it for. Oodles of sexual games, sadistic antics and titillating come-ons. The soundtrack provides sporadic respites.

Which makes for a semi-decent flash in the pan. Problem is, someone lost the recipe.

a great movie
critics are often undecided until they see how others react because they are stupid take dracula 92 laughed at at first now those same critics call it the greatest horror movie of our times and say that gary oldman deserved an oscar well here u go again another great acting job by gary oldman whose a crooked cop trying to not let his loved ones findout when hes suddenly in a cat and mouse game with a russian hitman a great movie try it out

Romeo Is Bleeding From His Foot: A Compelling Thriller
REVIEW BY NICK EVANGELISTA:
The Female Villian in this film is spooky beyond words. You just have to see her. This film works from start to finish. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention.

Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful.

But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore.--Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (353)

A Masterpiece...
Bill Parrish ( Anthony Hopkins) is a media tycoon who is about to celebreate his 65th birthday. Unfortunately, it is also his time to die as well, because Death ( Brad Pitt) decides to pay Bill a visit. Bill manages to make a deal with Death to keep him alive a little bit longer, in exchange for teaching him what it is like to be human. Things become complicated however, when Death not only takes up an interest in life, but in Bill's beautiful daughter Susan ( Claire Forlani) as well.

For some reason "Meet Joe Black" has received mixed reviews from critics and moviegoers. In my opinion, this remake of the 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" was one of the best films I have seen in quite some time. The movie has gained a reputation for being long and drawn out because it is 3 hours long. I did not find the film to be drawn out at all, and time flew by for me when watching this film. Brad Pitt is actually a very good actor and shows it in this film. Pitt accurately portrayed how Death would react to the world around him with his endless curiousity and naive behavior. The scene where Death discovers peanut butter for the first time is priceless!! Anthony Hopkins was great as usual, and turns in another oscar worthy performance as Bill Parrish. You come to legitimately feel for his character because you know that it is only a matter of time before the inevitable is coming. The thing that impressed me most about the film, was that the romantic story between Death and Claire Forlani's character Susan is extremely well done, despite the gloom setting that Death's presence brings. I also highly recommend picking up the soundtrack to this film. The musical score used was outstanding.

The only piece of advice I can give with this film, is to ignore its reputation and give it a shot. Overall, "Meet Joe Black" is a captivating and touching film with great performances given from the actors and an incredible soundtrack.

A solid 5 stars...

What a range of acting by Brad Pitt!
OK, the guy has played some weird roles in some rather bad movies -- but he's always played them well. This movie takes full advantage of Pitt's talent by having him play the nice guy, tough guy, intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and romantic. There are scenes where he is actually funny even though it's presented in a subtle way. I found myself laughing out loud several times and couldn't believe I was watching a movie about death! So now Brad is playing his best role ever in a great movie and the critics seemed to pan the movie anyway.

Hopkins and Forlani are also excellent in their roles. Hopkins gives a wonderful performance as a loving father and powerful business man faced with death, but having to hide it from his family. Claire Forlani plays the part of his beautiful and intelligent daughter so well. She's constantly probing into Joe's situation to find out why he is living in her father's house meanwhile falling in love with this stranger and teaching Joe about love (something that is obviously new to him).

The contrast between Pitt, the lawyer in the coffee shop and Pitt as Joe is fascinating. The guy in the coffee shop is opimistic, fun, lively and a great conversationalist. He smiles and laughs easily making Susan extremely attracted to him. Pitt as death (Joe) is quite different even though he looks the same. Joe is quiet, serious, mysterious, and somewhat clueless about people. As time goes on, Joe becomes more comfortable and Susan gets him to smile after his first kiss and he get a "week feeling" in his knees. The love scene is beautifully done and shows Susan undressing Joe. They get to the point where he can't get his shirt off all the way and he has this huge grin looking at Susan. I loved that part!

There is a lot of conflict in this movie too. Many of the characters have personal issues to work out. It seems like a simple story but actually has several stories being told.

Death at its finest
I do believe this is one of the rare movies that every member of the cast gave a stellar performace. But applause must go to Pitt for his portrayal as both Death and the human Joe Black. The subtle changes in his character was performed masterfully. Forlani did well as the youngest daughter of the media mogul Parish, going from daddy's little girl to seductress. But besides it, this movie also raises some deeper issues, like highlighting the small things we take for granted in our everyday life. Do make an effort to watch it, you'll find yourself profoundly touched by it.

One of the best of all times
Meet Joe Black is one of my favourite movie of all times, I think it is also one of the best movie of all times. I remember the first time I saw it in the theatre; I was taking a break in the middle of my projects with hardly any sleep for days. I did not realise that is was a 3 hr movie and I did not fall asleep. The opening scene with Anthony Hopkin just captivated me within the first 5 mins of the movie. Since then, I have watched it over 5 times, each time with new discovery in the wonderfully written script about love, death, and life; how a perfect gentle, who I think has everything, still cannot escape mortality, and how this fear has been transformed into courage. The movie had many wonderful moments, one of which when Hopkin with Forlani in the helicopter talking about love like "when lightning strike", also a moving scene when Bill's (Hopkins charactor) less favourite daughter told the father that it is alright as everyone is allowed to have a favourite, it is OK as long as she feels loved. I strongly recommend anyone to watch the movie for yourself and not listening to the negative reviews from the "critics" as most of the time, they are wrong.

GREAT- MUST SEE!
I never liked Brad Pitt in his movies, so when my neighbor told me to watch it, I was hesitant. I thought it was going to be really dumb. I watched it anyway and have found a great movie! Brad Pitt was awesome! I couldn't believe it. This movie is worth it's weight in gold. (or at least the 12-20 bucks most places are asking for it!) If you haven't seen this you have got to! The lines are perfect, they all fit together, and there is enough comedy, romance, mystery, etc ,etc to keep it from being too sad. In the end, it is happy so for those of you who don't like sad movies - DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS ONE, IT IS GREAT! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Ellen Barkin is on the prowl
When "Sea of Love" comes to mind, it's difficult not to think about the powerful sexual attraction between Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin that consumes both actors and makes their characters believable. Pacino has the right mix of a burned-out veteran cop who's lonely and bitter at losing his ex-wife to a fellow police officer, and Barkin's Helen is a sexy, tough and complex business woman and single mother with a hard-edged exterior who's also lonely and reaching out for love. Barkin, as always, is great to look at, with her crooked, predatory smile and seems like a tigress hunting for prey, which two scenes illustrate perfectly. The way Helen glides up to Frank Keller in her tight skirt when he enters her shoe store is one of the film's best moments, and the way she materializes out of the shadows and approaches Keller in his dark hallway is high drama and very powerful. Helen also seems to have the better of it in her sex scenes with Keller and has him back on his heels, her hunger for sex palpable and credible. It's a shame that Barkin doesn't appear until the movie is 43 minutes old but she certainly makes the most of her remaining screen time. The film takes its time in establishing the characters and has some dull stretches but the two stars make it work very well. The surprise ending is bit of a letdown, perhaps because there's no suggestion that it's coming. Phil Phillips' 1959 hit gets several reprises here and is, of course, the film's title.

Dangerous and Sexy
When Al Pacino, one of the greatest actors of our time, decided to return to movies after a long self imposed absence, he chose this Harold Becker thriller and simply exploded back into American cinema. A moody, pulsating score, a lonely city at night atmosphere, and the sexy Ellen Barkin helped to create an erotic and suspenseful thriller like no other.

Someone is placing personals and killing men, leaving the old '45 "Sea of Love" playing at every murder scene. Pacino and his partner John Goodman decide to place their own personal and meet women, hoping one will be the killer. Pacino uses something his sick father had written to his mother years ago and it might just be good enough to attract the killer.

In steps Barkin, a single mom hotter and sexier than origional sin. Pacino doesn't get her prints on a glass like every other suspect who answers the ad and we spend the rest of the film wondering if this mistake will cost him his life. Pacino tells Goodman he has eliminated her as a suspect and begins a sexually charged relationship that begins to be more. But he can't tell her he's a cop because of how they met and his suspicion explodes in his face when she finds out.

A lot of this film is about mistrust and suspicion, and a very messed up Pacino, desperately lonely and trying to move on from his divorce. Barkin is dynamite, but may also be the killer. When Pacino discovers all the victims knew Barkin, things get evermore dangerous. In addition to the electricity between the two leads there is also a fine script and great support from minor players to create one of the most nail biting thrill rides of all time.

There is a memorable scene where Pacino is frantically searching for his gun while Barkin is in the bathroom you just have to see. One of the most erotic scenes in screen history takes place in a supermarket late at night as Sade's band instrumental "Siempre Hay Esperanza" from her Stronger Than Pride album plays sexily in the background.

Think you know who the killer is? You might. Then again, it might be a suprise. Don't rent this one. Buy it. You'll watch it more than once. I guarantee it.

STYLIZED EROTICA
With the exception of 1983's SCARFACE,the 80's were a bust for Pacino. This was his comeback outing and it is a stylized erotic journey that would have been grossly misplaced outside NYC. These are New York characters. No other way to describe them, no other need to. Harold Becker is an under rated American director and this is best best work since THE ONION FIELD (1979). The music is seductive (save for 3 versions of the title track). And wickedly sexy Ellen Barkin literally works off with the film when she meets Pacino in a West Side supermarket wearng only a trenchcoat and heels. It was enough to make me shop there.

Great thriller!
I really liked this well-directed movie that is full of suspense throughout. Barkin absolutely sizzles. She has never looked better.

Writers of personal ads seem to be getting murdered. Pacino investigates and finds a pattern in the ads in that they are all poetic. Pacino hopes to trap the killer by placing a similar ad. Barkin happens to be one of the ladies that answer his ad and he gets involved with her. All the time he is not sure if she is the killer that he is tracking.

This movie was before the Internet explosion, so the idea of a personal ad in a newspaper may seem dated. However, the movie still works well.

Barkin, baby, where'd you go?
This is one of those films I love- the kind that sits on my shelf, I forget about for a while, and when I finally remember it one rainy day and put it on, it seems like new all over again... and I remember why I got it in the first place.

Pacino is Frank Keller, a NYC cop who is a little beat by life, doesn't get all his daily recommended allowance of beauty sleep, and who, on occassion, has a wee problem with the drink. Maybe not the sort of a man you'd be beating down mama's door to show off, but, ya know, a decent kinda guy. He's working on a murder investigation, assisted by the always reliable John Goodman, and due to circumstances and the trouble with 3am, becomes romantically involved with one of the suspects.

Enter Ellen Barkin- as the tagline reads, she may be the love of his life... of the end of it. Either way, she is definitely working the celluloid charm that made "The Big Easy" so steamy- although here it's more edgy and direct than bashful.

The film rolls along at a good pace, never quite spelling anything out for sure so you're thankful that it's on DVD and don't have to throw things at the TV when commercials cut in. Beyond the intensity of his scenes with Barkin- and there is some damn fine sizzle to 'em- there are some great moments that really help bring out Pacino's character and make him more human- vulnerable, profane, sore, sweaty- than other roles I've seen him in since; when he tells a guy the "Yankee's meet'n'greet" is all booked, and his mutterings when he sees one of the blind dates still at the bar don't have the theatrics of some of the more "Al Pacino movie" characters, and are all the better for it.

Also, the scratchy, tense relationship his Frank Keller has with his co-worker nicely sets off the easy partnership he strikes up with Goodman's Queens detective; their camraderie and somewhat comical difference in stature made for an unexpectedly great part of the film.

Altogether, a terrific watch, and makes you wonder just how the hell Barkin ended up playing a Minnesota beauty queen's mom. Musta been 3am somewhere then. ... Read more

Description

Comedy about four young men from New York and one Friday night that changes their lives forever. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Great comedy
Sleeper comedy.Hysterical.Funniest movie nobody ever heard of.
You will watch it many times.

Hispanics & Blacks having fun & no crime--what a concept!!!
I have seen the movie numerous times and enjoy it more & more with each viewing. The 4 characters are funny, watch each others back and have a good time without having to hurt anybody. Their adventures crashing the party, getting arrested and dancing at the club are funny. I enjoyed the positive aspects of the film like whether to go to college or not, just be yourself instead of someone you're not and not to judge people on appearance alone. My favorite character was Vinny/Fernando and his mannerisms when dealing with others. The funniest bits were the ugly girlfriend contest and dropping the quarter at the x-rated booth. I highly recommend this film. It is nice to see a movie where the minorities are not treated like thieves and thugs. This movie is a gem.

An Excellent Coming of Age Comedy
An excellent coming to age comedy with a bit of drama, "Hangin With the Homeboys" chronicles a night in the life of four friends in the Bronx as they discover that people are often different from what they appear like.

Featuring the talents of John Leguizamo ("To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar"), Doug E. Doug ("Cool Runnings"), Mario Joyner ("The Chris Rock Show") and Nestor Serrano, the film provided the audience with four fresh characters and places them in a series of occurrences that make them realize how different they real are from one another. From Fernando's (Serrano) scam of impersonating an Italian in order to attract girls (he is Puerto Rican) to the final scene beneath the Metro North bridge in Manhattan, the character's all accept change at the end. The most memorable part of this film has to be when John Leguizamo discovers that the girl he is in love with is a totally different person, which makes him accept reality and inspires him to find a way out of the social state he currently is in.

The film is an excellent tribute to anyone who has grown up in New York City. Director Joseph Vasquez did an excellent job of writing and producing this small-budget film. Sadly, Vasquez, who at the time was using heroin, died from complications of AIDS a few years after the film's release. The film serves as a wonderful legacy for a genius that gave the world an excellent story with touches of humanism sprinkled throughout.

If you liked "American Graffiti" then give this film a chance. I also recommend "I Like It Like That" to anyone in a mood of seeing films in the Bronx.

It's Hang Out Night in DaBronx
This coming of age movie was overshadowed by Boys in the Hood as they were both released the same weekend. This movie unlike Boys in the Hood or New Jack City despite it's title is not about gang violence. Four guys from the same Bronx neighorhood spend a full friday night together. Each but two of them are growing away from this weekly ritual and the two that aren't are not really friends. Hilarious Drama involving quick witted humor and comical situations that come one after another. Joseph B.Vasquez who unfortuntely past away after directing this movie obviously crammed years of one liners and situations into 12 hours. Hilarious opening scenes and the memorable Nestor Seranno who plays a Puerto Rican American, Fernando who wants to be known as Vinny tells a girlfriend,"Thanks for the food. That's so nice I wish everyody was this nice to me." As he opens his refrigerator door only to cram the dish in with the other dishes of food made by other women. Doug E Doug who blames his bad fortune on being black, even to black people. The troubled, sexually unexperienced and very shy John Leguizamo who only really connects with one of the guys. Comic Mario Joyner well acts his role as the corny but seemingly cool actor wannabe selling magazines. This bunch goes out and hits on unsuspecting women, Crashes a Party and has a big adventure. It's a night of big ups and downs which ends with a message and a big laugh. The only problem with this movie is it's mediocre editing which has minor negative effect. This is truly one of the funniest films available. The comedy is so good you know that these events are based on a true story. See it!

Excellent coming of age serio-comedy
One of the most under-appreciated films of the 90's. Truly enjoyed the film from begining to end. The plot (if you can call it one) is just like the title says, just a bunch a guys hanging out in the city. I think that anyone growing up in the city will relate to this movie and will see parrallels to their own lives. That's why I think I enjoyed so much. Touched many topics like racism, police officers in the city, and above all friendship. Definetley worth a try! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

LET'S BE CURIOUS
This one was very hard to find. Hidden behind six SIXTH SENSE and five DOUBLE JEOPARDY dvd's at my favorite video store. That's a peculiar pleasure, and not the least, for the movie lover to discover a little pearl amidst the hollywoodian dinosaurs. So surprise, surprise ! Firstly, The jacket announced a special widescreen copy ; Nada ! just a pan & scan version, the movie killer by excellence as any movie buff knows it. Then a look at iMDB told me that OXYGEN was a TV-movie, but, in the user section, a reviewer was certifying that OXYGEN had been shown in two theaters ! What a salad ! (french expression).

Let's go back to Richard Shepard's movie which star Maura Tierney and Adrien Brody. Miss Tierney plays the character of a woman detective of the NYPD, married to her chief, and with a slight booze problem. On the other hand, Adrien Brody is a charming young man whose principal activity is to bury alive the women of wealthy men in order to obtain some money while the poor victims are suffocating. Well, that's a story !

And that's not the end of it ! Just imagine that Adrien Brody is also a fan of Harry Houdini, the famous magician of the beginning of the XXth century and likes to play with the nerves of the cops by escaping from the most unusual places. You also are going to appreciate the manner Richard Shepard,with subtlety, plays with one of the most common of cinematographic themes : vampires.

In short, OXYGEN is a very good surprise with excellent actors, it's a nervous little thriller with enough beef to please the most blasés movie lovers.

A commentary and the usual trailers and filmographies. Good sound but average images.

A DVD dedicated to my mother-in-law.

COMPELLING PSYCHODRAMA MAKES FOR AN ENGAGING THRILLER
I of course expected little from this small budget movie with unknown actors (including Brody, at that pre-Pianist time). Given these parameters, this is a very engaging thriller.

Very effectively creepy. The psycopath theme is occasionally so disturbing that it's hard to watch in places. But what frightens even more is the horrifying glimpse we get into the mind of a killer.

Brody offers us a frighteningly friendly and calm, hypnotically conniving psychopath, and Maura Tierney is very credible as a woman so self-destructive and full of self-hatred that in one disquieting scene she can barely look at herself in a mirror.

Definitely worth seeking out.

Tierney and Brody are Great, The Movie is Just Okay!!
It's been a long time since I've seriously blind bought a DVD or video. I normally go the rental way. But as I was passing through ... I stumbled upon this interesting film. It was called OXYGEN. I later discovered it was made for Showtime Television, as an original movie. I can see why, it's a potentially taught thriller, that's half realized.

Maura Tierney (Scotland PA) stars as Madeline Foster, a New York City Cop with a few humiliating secrets. Adrien Brody, (The Pianist) is Harry, a psychopath who has buried a women (Laila Robins, True Crime) alive in an elaborate extortion plot. When Harry refuses to talk to anyone but Foster, these two lives are caught in a dangerous cat and mouse game, and a women's life is at stake.

For what it's worth this is a well thought out thriller here. The elements are there to create a taught and fairly compelling cat and mouse game. But as the pieces fall into place, you realize its foundation is a house of cards and in the end everything is a little forced.

I think the biggest problem is that Brody's character knows too much. He puts two and two together far faster than even the audience does. For instance, he notices cigarette burns on Foster's arm. Instantly he jumps to a conclusion, that while true, takes a leap far to big for it's own good.

Tierney's character doesn't fare much better. The screenplay by Writer/Director Richard Shepard (The Linguini Incident) is too vague about her. Creating tension that goes nowhere. She's fighting demons of course, but does she do it for Alcohol? To give into some crazy fetish? Since the movie only makes a feeble attempt to sort out her problems, it falls flat. Every explanation comes from Harry's mouth a man she's never met before and I don't think he's that bright.

But on a positive note, Tierney and Brody are excellent in their roles. Even if I didn't buy the premise, those two actors are just so damn watchable. Tierney is like the girl next door with edge, the camera loves her, and she's so good at everything I've ever seen her do. I like how her performance transcends the material. She brings it all up a notch, something that a lesser actress would struggle with. Her performance reveals a woman who is struggling, even if the struggles are a little trite and silly.

Furthermore, Brody makes a great psycho. I liked everything about his character. I love how there is never a moment that he feels cornered. He runs the show at every minute. Like Harry Houdini (in which the story makes frequent reference too), Brody's character is an escape artist, with a sarcastic edge. In a better film this kind of character could win him an Oscar. Hmm.... I wonder if they ever did Hannibal Lecter: The Early Years, if they would consider hiring Brody? He's that good here.

OXYGEN is a half realized but watchable film. It wears its flaws on its sleeve. But it also has two really great performances in it. So do I recommend you see it? If you're nit-picky like me, than you probably won't like it. If you can give a movie its due despite it's many flaws, than yes.

*** out of 5

Oxygen - a breath of fresh air!
Oxygen is an ambitious, if little-known thriller. In its short, feature-length span it manages to approach a depth of characterization usually felt in the longer form of the crime novel. It stars Adrian Brody and Maura Tierney when they were far less famous than they are today; it's amazing what a few years can mean to a career. One need only look to this film for validation that their present stature is well deserved (Brody was the star of The Pianist; Tierney is one of the bright spots on TV's ER). Brody plays a narcissistic maniac who buries women alive to extort ransom money. Tierney is the troubled cop who pursues and confronts him and, in so doing, must confront her own demons. A great supporting cast, and a crackling-good script by its young writer-director-producer Richard Shephard make Oxygen - pun not intended - a breath of fresh air. I would give it five stars but there was something a little uneven about the film - perhaps the direction, which was hokey in parts (watch for the brief scene where cops search the city for the Brody character's orthodontist). This may be a case of nitpicking, but the film tended to feel "flat" in spots. These weaknesses are more than compensated for, however, and I heartily recommend this film to fans of thriller, horror, and crime genres. Add the fifth star if you're a fan of Brody or Tierney.

Suspense-filled Thriller
Oxygen is the type of movie that would interest anyone who likes a good thriller. The movie was very well acted, and Adrien Brody does a splendid job of interpreting the character of the sadistic Harry. Maury Tierney also stars as the detective out to catch him. The two share a chemisty on camera that is quite unique and adds to the tension and yet similarities between the two extremely different characters. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Hey, it's good. Honest.
I don't know why reviewers were so harsh with this film. It was interesting and entertaining, and it kept me quessing, even though the other contributers on this page gave away the ending without warning of "spoilers." I recommend this film when you are not in the mood for the latest "critical success/oscar contender," preferring instead a nifty little mystery. It gets points also for having a straightforward ending, and not one of this twists where you go "huh?"

Problematic
Unger nailed her part as an obsessive patient perfectly but Sciorra seems to blunder around this film, not suspecting her mentor until the very end. I would think that if you could suspect your boyfirend so quickly and see that his face wasn't exactly real you would suspect everyone. Instead of goign that route, it makes her tunnel focused on teh always charismatic Sheridan as teh main suspect.
Great actors, with a story that doesn't quite shock.

Bottom of the barrel
Recent Soprano mistress, Annabella Sciorra plays a Manhattan therapist who gets in a complete mess and a murderous tangle with a new boyfriend and patient. The plot in this film is just absurd. It is a mess and you find your self screaming at Sciorra not to be such an idiot. The detective is not much better and the conclusion looks tacked on. Not a good whodunnit. Not much of anything.

It has a good cast, but the script is hopeless. The plot makes no sense, Sciorra breaks every ethical rule of therapy and the whole film is a waste of time. I do not think this will make an Alan Alda retrospective. Infact most of the cast have gone onto better things and that is the best you can say about it.

These Whispers are Not Much Fun
A number of characters in this movies are sexually disturbed, and it is a matter of guessing which one of them is a killer. I won't give away the plot, but, somewhat predictably, none of the patients are guilty. And the real killer documents his crimes on tape so diligently that you have to wonder if this detail is an intentional insult directed to the audience. The movie is occasionally sexy, but unfortuantely, some moments are also nauseatingly grusome. All in all, this thriller is neither that thrilling, nor exciting.

This Film is Whispering to be Remade
WHISPERS IN THE DARK has a terrific screenplay. It's an overlooked gem of a plot. In the claustrophobic world of New York upperclass psychiatrists, there are doctor-patient intrigues, patient-patient intrigues, and doctor-doctor intrigues. Like walking through a minefield. The author not only manages to keep them all in the air at the same time, but adds in a murder mystery with genuine surprises like a classical whodunnit. At the end of the movie I felt like standing up and shouting "REMAKE!" except it would have been futile because I was watching the VHS tape alone. The Hollywood moguls missed a good bet when they underfinanced this script. Christopher Crowe, who wrote the brilliant script, just isn't a brilliant director. You can tell because he had a superstar, Alan Alda, and got a lot less out of him than Alda could have delivered. The rest of the cast wasn't star quality. Leonard Maltin says there were "standout performances," but I have to disagree. Just imagine what a huge hit this film would be if it had a great director and a cast of real actors like Sharon Stone or Nicole Kidman in the female lead, Elliot Gould in the Alan Alda role (not that Gould is a better actor than Alda, but he can be more menacing), and William Hurt as co-star. In fact, I think this movie will be remade some day--the story is just that good! Meanwhile, should you see it? Indeed yes, if you like a well-plotted tale moderately-well told. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

After a career slump that plagued him through most of the 1980s, Al Pacino made a stellar comeback in this taut 1989 thriller, playing a weary New York police detective who falls in love with the woman (Ellen Barkin) who is the prime suspect in the murder case he's investigating. Expertly written by Richard Price and directed by Harold Becker, the story is designed to keep its central characters (and the viewer) in a state of constant suspicion and arousal--an emotional combination that sends dangerous sparks flying between Pacino and Barkin. Their chemistry is intense, and their love scenes are some of the hottest of any movie of its decade. But Sea of Love is not merely concerned with cheap titillation. It's a riveting whodunit with scenes of nail-biting suspense and memorable dialogue that make it as interesting to listen to as it is to watch. Barkin had made a similarly sexy impression in The Big Easy, and here she gives one of the best performances of her underrated career, matching Pacino's excellence scene for scene. The ending's a bit of a letdown because the murder solution comes somewhat out of the blue, but it's the acting and suspense that you'll remember most--qualities that make Sea of Love one of the best films of its kind. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Ellen Barkin is on the prowl
When "Sea of Love" comes to mind, it's difficult not to think about the powerful sexual attraction between Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin that consumes both actors and makes their characters believable. Pacino has the right mix of a burned-out veteran cop who's lonely and bitter at losing his ex-wife to a fellow police officer, and Barkin's Helen is a sexy, tough and complex business woman and single mother with a hard-edged exterior who's also lonely and reaching out for love. Barkin, as always, is great to look at, with her crooked, predatory smile and seems like a tigress hunting for prey, which two scenes illustrate perfectly. The way Helen glides up to Frank Keller in her tight skirt when he enters her shoe store is one of the film's best moments, and the way she materializes out of the shadows and approaches Keller in his dark hallway is high drama and very powerful. Helen also seems to have the better of it in her sex scenes with Keller and has him back on his heels, her hunger for sex palpable and credible. It's a shame that Barkin doesn't appear until the movie is 43 minutes old but she certainly makes the most of her remaining screen time. The film takes its time in establishing the characters and has some dull stretches but the two stars make it work very well. The surprise ending is bit of a letdown, perhaps because there's no suggestion that it's coming. Phil Phillips' 1959 hit gets several reprises here and is, of course, the film's title.

Dangerous and Sexy
When Al Pacino, one of the greatest actors of our time, decided to return to movies after a long self imposed absence, he chose this Harold Becker thriller and simply exploded back into American cinema. A moody, pulsating score, a lonely city at night atmosphere, and the sexy Ellen Barkin helped to create an erotic and suspenseful thriller like no other.

Someone is placing personals and killing men, leaving the old '45 "Sea of Love" playing at every murder scene. Pacino and his partner John Goodman decide to place their own personal and meet women, hoping one will be the killer. Pacino uses something his sick father had written to his mother years ago and it might just be good enough to attract the killer.

In steps Barkin, a single mom hotter and sexier than origional sin. Pacino doesn't get her prints on a glass like every other suspect who answers the ad and we spend the rest of the film wondering if this mistake will cost him his life. Pacino tells Goodman he has eliminated her as a suspect and begins a sexually charged relationship that begins to be more. But he can't tell her he's a cop because of how they met and his suspicion explodes in his face when she finds out.

A lot of this film is about mistrust and suspicion, and a very messed up Pacino, desperately lonely and trying to move on from his divorce. Barkin is dynamite, but may also be the killer. When Pacino discovers all the victims knew Barkin, things get evermore dangerous. In addition to the electricity between the two leads there is also a fine script and great support from minor players to create one of the most nail biting thrill rides of all time.

There is a memorable scene where Pacino is frantically searching for his gun while Barkin is in the bathroom you just have to see. One of the most erotic scenes in screen history takes place in a supermarket late at night as Sade's band instrumental "Siempre Hay Esperanza" from her Stronger Than Pride album plays sexily in the background.

Think you know who the killer is? You might. Then again, it might be a suprise. Don't rent this one. Buy it. You'll watch it more than once. I guarantee it.

STYLIZED EROTICA
With the exception of 1983's SCARFACE,the 80's were a bust for Pacino. This was his comeback outing and it is a stylized erotic journey that would have been grossly misplaced outside NYC. These are New York characters. No other way to describe them, no other need to. Harold Becker is an under rated American director and this is best best work since THE ONION FIELD (1979). The music is seductive (save for 3 versions of the title track). And wickedly sexy Ellen Barkin literally works off with the film when she meets Pacino in a West Side supermarket wearng only a trenchcoat and heels. It was enough to make me shop there.

Great thriller!
I really liked this well-directed movie that is full of suspense throughout. Barkin absolutely sizzles. She has never looked better.

Writers of personal ads seem to be getting murdered. Pacino investigates and finds a pattern in the ads in that they are all poetic. Pacino hopes to trap the killer by placing a similar ad. Barkin happens to be one of the ladies that answer his ad and he gets involved with her. All the time he is not sure if she is the killer that he is tracking.

This movie was before the Internet explosion, so the idea of a personal ad in a newspaper may seem dated. However, the movie still works well.

Barkin, baby, where'd you go?
This is one of those films I love- the kind that sits on my shelf, I forget about for a while, and when I finally remember it one rainy day and put it on, it seems like new all over again... and I remember why I got it in the first place.

Pacino is Frank Keller, a NYC cop who is a little beat by life, doesn't get all his daily recommended allowance of beauty sleep, and who, on occassion, has a wee problem with the drink. Maybe not the sort of a man you'd be beating down mama's door to show off, but, ya know, a decent kinda guy. He's working on a murder investigation, assisted by the always reliable John Goodman, and due to circumstances and the trouble with 3am, becomes romantically involved with one of the suspects.

Enter Ellen Barkin- as the tagline reads, she may be the love of his life... of the end of it. Either way, she is definitely working the celluloid charm that made "The Big Easy" so steamy- although here it's more edgy and direct than bashful.

The film rolls along at a good pace, never quite spelling anything out for sure so you're thankful that it's on DVD and don't have to throw things at the TV when commercials cut in. Beyond the intensity of his scenes with Barkin- and there is some damn fine sizzle to 'em- there are some great moments that really help bring out Pacino's character and make him more human- vulnerable, profane, sore, sweaty- than other roles I've seen him in since; when he tells a guy the "Yankee's meet'n'greet" is all booked, and his mutterings when he sees one of the blind dates still at the bar don't have the theatrics of some of the more "Al Pacino movie" characters, and are all the better for it.

Also, the scratchy, tense relationship his Frank Keller has with his co-worker nicely sets off the easy partnership he strikes up with Goodman's Queens detective; their camraderie and somewhat comical difference in stature made for an unexpectedly great part of the film.

Altogether, a terrific watch, and makes you wonder just how the hell Barkin ended up playing a Minnesota beauty queen's mom. Musta been 3am somewhere then. ... Read more

Description

Based on the novel by Anthony Bruno, BAD APPLE stars Chris Noth as Mike Tozzi, an undercover FBI agent who finds himself entangled in a web of double-crossing wise guys while trying to bring down a loan-sharking business.Amidst it all, Tozzi finds himself attracted to the sister of his informant ... Read more

Description

An offbeat comedy that stars Stephen Collins and Diane Lane as a New Jersey couple who have no business owning a handgun. The eccentric neighbors' troubles become the couples' when the gun finds its way into their condo, guaranteeing that no one's life will ever be the same again. Starring: Diane Lane (2003 Academy Award® Nominee Unfaithful, Under the Tuscan Sun), Bruce Altman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Stephen Collins. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Get "Gun"
I have watched the video of "My New Gun" three times, and each time I have discovered more interesting, telling details. The plot doesn't drive the film; instead, it seems to evolve almost by happenstance from the characters themselves. Although there is no "crack-me-up" humor at all, if you think about what is going on as it happens, this movie is hilarious. Diane Lane, James LeGros, and Stephen Collins all shine.

A Unique and Moody Object Lesson
This film has an unusual mood and ambiance that I've never seen anywhere else but in Stacy Cochran's other film "Boys". It is mundane, mysterious, and funny all at once. Just as happens in "Boys," the main character in "My New Gun", expertly played by Diane Lane, is subtly moved out of her dissatisfying everyday life by the arrival of an unwanted object (the gun) and an appealingly dangerous outsider (Skippy, wonderfully played by James LeGros.) Highly recommended for anyone with an offbeat sense of humor or an appreciation for subtly taught life lessons. I would love to see more movies from this excellent director.

Diane is wonderful
I agree with the previous reviewer. Diane Lane is better than most of the actresses out there. She was a gifted child actress and has continued to shine over the years. Please Hollywood, stop casting the same familiar actresses (Roberts, Diaz, Barrymore). There's nothing wrong with them at all, but Diane deserves to be there too!

Great acting by Hollywood's most underated actress...
I saw this movie without really knowing what it was about and was completely suprised by how good it is. Diane Lane, who is not only beautiful, but talented, plays a yuppie housewife who is given a gun by her husband. After she gets her neighbor involved, James Legros, they embark on series of strange, and mysterious events. This movie won best picture at the Sundance film festival in 1992, and is worth renting, but don't buy unless it's under $20. Diane Lane is truly underated in Hollywood and "My New Gun" proves why. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Both great movies!
These are both great movies. Meet Joe Black is a remake of an old film. This is a great story of love. It reminds you of the love that you have for life, family, friends and what loving and life are all about.

Far and Away is about two people and thier stake for land and a unique love for each other. I would definitly recomend buy both of these movies! ... Read more