Strange Days (1995)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers (WGA):

James Cameron (story)
James Cameron (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Music | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

you know you want it

Plot:

A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a police conspiracy in 1999 Los Angeles.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Rape | Police | Death | Conspiracy

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Ralph Fiennes	...	Lenny Nero
Angela Bassett	...	Lornette 'Mace' Mason
Juliette Lewis	...	Faith Justin
Tom Sizemore	...	Max Peltier
Michael Wincott	...	Philo Gant
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Burton Steckler
Glenn Plummer	...	Jeriko One
Brigitte Bako	...	Iris
Richard Edson	...	Tick
William Fichtner	...	Dwayne Engelman
Josef Sommer	...	Palmer Strickland
Joe Urla	...	Keith
Nicky Katt	...	Joey Corto
Michael Jace	...	Wade Beemer
Louise LeCavalier	...	Cindy 'Vita' Minh

MPAA:

Rated R for intense disturbing violence, sexuality and pervasive strong language.

Runtime:

145 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Iceland:16 | Canada:R (DVD rating) | South Korea:18 | France:-16 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Chile:18 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Singapore:R21

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lightstorm Entertainment

Trivia:

The single biggest challenge facing Matthew F. Leonetti and his crew, was discreetly lighting a seven-block stretch of Sunset Boulevard, so that both sides of the street could be filmed simultaneously with several different incidents going on.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Lenny walks into the bedroom of the suite at the Bonaventure and finds Gant's body, the reflection of the cameraman's legs is visible next to Lenny's on the mirrored wall.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lenny Nero: Yeah, boot it.

Movie Connections:

References Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Soundtrack:

Bohemian Ballet

Terrific science fiction offering.

Strange Days is a truly astonishing science fiction offering, part scripted by James Cameron and directed with relentless panache by maverick lady-director Kathryn Bigelow. It presents a depressing and bleak, yet worryingly probable, view of the near future, and hooks its story threads upon the impending millennium eve celebrations. Although December 31st, 1999, has been and gone since the making of this movie, it is a credit to the makers that this film still offers a plausible viewpoint about where the world might be at in the next decade or so.

Ralph Fiennes seems initially miscast, but soon wins over the audience as Lenny Nero, a sleazy racketeer who sells "memories" captured on some form of disk, similar to virtual reality but recorded from real experiences rather than computerised ones. He is desperately trying to get back with his ex-girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis), but she doesn't want him as she has hooked up with a music producer named Philo (Michael Wincott). Lenny acquires two disturbing tapes, one showing the rape and murder of a woman, the other showing a racially motivated slaying, and before he knows it he is on the run from the culprits who want to kill him before he exposes their crimes. The only person he can trust is his best friend, lady bodyguard Mace (Angela Bassett). To complicate matters further, his ex-girlfriend Faith seems to know something about the disks, and may either be involved in the crimes or at great risk from those responsible.

Bassett is the real star here, in the role of a lifetime as a morally strong and physically stronger heroine. Lewis plays the same old white trash girl she has played many times, but at least she has the experience to bring total conviction to the role. The production values are incredibly high, especially the party at the end which seems to realistically convey an entire city celebrating in the streets. The plot unfolds slowly, but this is a strength rather than a criticism. Each new development slots into place beautifully, and the audience is given time to get into the characters and the situations (which, in too many movies, we are not allowed to do since the pace is often too frenetic).

Strange Days is challenging and aggressive and frequently disturbing. It is also inventive and exciting and ingeniously staged. It is simply a terrific science film which any devotee of the genre absolutely must see.