White Sands is a neo noir set in the American Southwest. A small-town deputy Sherriff (Dafoe) relentlessly pursues what is ostensibly a suicide out in the desert, but next to the deceased is a briefcase filled with half a million dollars. Dafoe just can't let sleeping dogs lie and keeps digging. He stumbles on a connection, and pretty soon, decides to impersonate the deceased to keep tracking the case.
It started off promising with superb performances by the cast, but as soon as it hits its one big twist it starts to unravel. Too many choices by Dafoe and Mastrantonio's characters require a lot of fill-in-the-blanks to attempt to make sense of their motivations and choices. Is he bored with his humdrum life? Is she? Why, when things are totally out of control, do they not walk away when given the chance? The film is only marginally successful supplying the 'why'. It often feels like it's based on a book you haven't read, or like key scenes were cut. It goes a bit too far in trying to keep you guessing with twist piled on twist and the last twist at the end feeling like a cheep escape hatch.
Still, if you like neo noirs, this isn't a complete waste. As stated, the performances are terrific. Especially Mickey Rourke as a mercurial and charismatic sociopath that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
It started off promising with superb performances by the cast, but as soon as it hits its one big twist it starts to unravel. Too many choices by Dafoe and Mastrantonio's characters require a lot of fill-in-the-blanks to attempt to make sense of their motivations and choices. Is he bored with his humdrum life? Is she? Why, when things are totally out of control, do they not walk away when given the chance? The film is only marginally successful supplying the 'why'. It often feels like it's based on a book you haven't read, or like key scenes were cut. It goes a bit too far in trying to keep you guessing with twist piled on twist and the last twist at the end feeling like a cheep escape hatch.
Still, if you like neo noirs, this isn't a complete waste. As stated, the performances are terrific. Especially Mickey Rourke as a mercurial and charismatic sociopath that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.