Needless to say, I really frigg'n LOVE this movie! I had seen it many years ago and I remember that it made a pretty strong impression on me. But, I hadn't seen it probably for over 15 years.
This is one of my very favourite types of films. Next to serious, Classic Horror or Science Fiction, this particular style I really love. It is very similar to Scorsese's Classic 'AFTER HOURS', but not quite as densely layered and quintessential, but pretty damn close. What I really like about these kinds of movies is that they are clearly NOT realistic in any way, but they are very stylized, usually including the use of photography and soundtrack, and this one has it pouring out every orifice.
The writing is stellar. It has an excellent sense of humour, but it is a very clever, dry, and extremely imaginative humour. This is 'Situational Humour' at its very best. There are a handful of films that are done in this style, and this one is supremely entertaining. I know Steven Baldwin is not who most people think of when they think of top-tier Baldwins, but for this movie and in this particular role he is bloody perfect. And man... Don't even get me started about Michael Ironside. This must absolutely be THE funniest role that he has ever had. Let me see if I can remember a few of the lines... "You ever seen midget cops?" The cop in the diner says, "Will someone tell this @sshole that there is no such thing as midget cops" The girl asks Baldwin, "You ever seen midget cops?" Ironside interrupts, saying, "Of course he hasn't... Not in uniform, they're undercover" "doing what?" the girl at the diner asks with a smirk. "When the circus comes to town... that's when the midget cops go to work" Baldwin asks kind of mockingly, "Is there really that much crime in the circus?" Ironside turns to him seriously and says, "Uh huh... Child prostitution" The girl says, "Oh c'mon... Ironside says gruffly, "Well, how do you think circuses make all their money...? From the beginning of time, children have been running off to join the circus. And, when they get there, what happens? They give them a shovel and point them at the elephant cage. Now, after a couple of days of shoveling tons of elephant dung, these kids get real miserable. ...and that is when the ringmaster steps in... He says, 'Hey little fella, want a new job? Well, tonight after the show, this guy is going to come around and you be reeeeeeeeal nice to him' " "That's why we need midget cops... to bust these perverts before they leave town with all our kids" "You are really sick" the cop says. "No, not me! Society... check out your fairy tails. You think the witch wanted Hansel & Gretel so that she could cook them, or Rumpelstiltskin wanted that kid because he liked changing diapers! How about the Pied Piper! He leaves town with every blond haired, blue eyed kid in Germany, and no every asks, 'Where did they go! What did they do when they got there!' And, what the PH*k is the Pied Piper anyway!" Heh... you really HAVE to see him and the way he delivers those lines. Absolutely Classic! And, there is a lot more; he easily dominates the film as the most standout character.
Anyway, sorry to get carried away, but there are a whole bunch of really great, funny, quirky characters in the film. And, I think along with the excellent writing, they are what really make this movie. Even some very subtle and throwaway lines, especially between the almost blind girl and Baldwin. Notice at the end when he asks here about her name. She mentions her 4th grade teacher... At that moment, you will pause and say, '4th grade teacher...??!' : )
I don't know why this film only is rated at about 5.1 or so, but I do notice that out of the people who actually wrote reviews, almost all of them are very favourable with 7-9 ratings, and I fully agree with them.
To me anyway, this is just one of those near perfect movies where the mood, atmosphere, writing, performances, everything just come together very well. Oh, the guy who plays the main cop too is fantastic! Even the story itself is surprisingly strong for this kind of film. Not to give anything away, but there are a few really good twists in it that I promise you will not see coming. FWIW, there is also a little snippet after the end credits roll for a little while. Nothing monumental, but just a nice closing touch.
This is one of those movies where it feels like there is a sense of 'Magic' to it. It is most definitely NOT realistic, but very stylish visually and in its use of soundtrack. I honestly feel that it is very well written with great performances all around. Just overall, a very very entertaining film. If you like movies along the lines of Scorsese's 'AFTER HOURS' you most likely will very much enjoy this one...
This is one of my very favourite types of films. Next to serious, Classic Horror or Science Fiction, this particular style I really love. It is very similar to Scorsese's Classic 'AFTER HOURS', but not quite as densely layered and quintessential, but pretty damn close. What I really like about these kinds of movies is that they are clearly NOT realistic in any way, but they are very stylized, usually including the use of photography and soundtrack, and this one has it pouring out every orifice.
The writing is stellar. It has an excellent sense of humour, but it is a very clever, dry, and extremely imaginative humour. This is 'Situational Humour' at its very best. There are a handful of films that are done in this style, and this one is supremely entertaining. I know Steven Baldwin is not who most people think of when they think of top-tier Baldwins, but for this movie and in this particular role he is bloody perfect. And man... Don't even get me started about Michael Ironside. This must absolutely be THE funniest role that he has ever had. Let me see if I can remember a few of the lines... "You ever seen midget cops?" The cop in the diner says, "Will someone tell this @sshole that there is no such thing as midget cops" The girl asks Baldwin, "You ever seen midget cops?" Ironside interrupts, saying, "Of course he hasn't... Not in uniform, they're undercover" "doing what?" the girl at the diner asks with a smirk. "When the circus comes to town... that's when the midget cops go to work" Baldwin asks kind of mockingly, "Is there really that much crime in the circus?" Ironside turns to him seriously and says, "Uh huh... Child prostitution" The girl says, "Oh c'mon... Ironside says gruffly, "Well, how do you think circuses make all their money...? From the beginning of time, children have been running off to join the circus. And, when they get there, what happens? They give them a shovel and point them at the elephant cage. Now, after a couple of days of shoveling tons of elephant dung, these kids get real miserable. ...and that is when the ringmaster steps in... He says, 'Hey little fella, want a new job? Well, tonight after the show, this guy is going to come around and you be reeeeeeeeal nice to him' " "That's why we need midget cops... to bust these perverts before they leave town with all our kids" "You are really sick" the cop says. "No, not me! Society... check out your fairy tails. You think the witch wanted Hansel & Gretel so that she could cook them, or Rumpelstiltskin wanted that kid because he liked changing diapers! How about the Pied Piper! He leaves town with every blond haired, blue eyed kid in Germany, and no every asks, 'Where did they go! What did they do when they got there!' And, what the PH*k is the Pied Piper anyway!" Heh... you really HAVE to see him and the way he delivers those lines. Absolutely Classic! And, there is a lot more; he easily dominates the film as the most standout character.
Anyway, sorry to get carried away, but there are a whole bunch of really great, funny, quirky characters in the film. And, I think along with the excellent writing, they are what really make this movie. Even some very subtle and throwaway lines, especially between the almost blind girl and Baldwin. Notice at the end when he asks here about her name. She mentions her 4th grade teacher... At that moment, you will pause and say, '4th grade teacher...??!' : )
I don't know why this film only is rated at about 5.1 or so, but I do notice that out of the people who actually wrote reviews, almost all of them are very favourable with 7-9 ratings, and I fully agree with them.
To me anyway, this is just one of those near perfect movies where the mood, atmosphere, writing, performances, everything just come together very well. Oh, the guy who plays the main cop too is fantastic! Even the story itself is surprisingly strong for this kind of film. Not to give anything away, but there are a few really good twists in it that I promise you will not see coming. FWIW, there is also a little snippet after the end credits roll for a little while. Nothing monumental, but just a nice closing touch.
This is one of those movies where it feels like there is a sense of 'Magic' to it. It is most definitely NOT realistic, but very stylish visually and in its use of soundtrack. I honestly feel that it is very well written with great performances all around. Just overall, a very very entertaining film. If you like movies along the lines of Scorsese's 'AFTER HOURS' you most likely will very much enjoy this one...