Love Lies Bleeding (2008 Video) User Reviews

Can't believe people are this stupid

[hawaiian_paddler · 5/10 · 19 January 2008]

OK the story and action is enough to make this a good movie, but the writers make the couple out to be so stupid it drives you nuts. Without the stupidity I would rate this movie higher, but with it I have to give it a lower score.

They steal drug money then buy a bright orange 57 Chevy to run away in. Stupid mistake #1. Then they drive to the next state to buy a house with cash. Stupid mistake #2. They stay in a hotel room and leave the money bag wide open so the room service guy can see it and steal it. Mistake #3. After he recovers the money from the room service guy, he hides it in the bushes where a landscaper finds it. Mistake #4. It goes on and on.

heart racing storey

[hamilton7802 · 7/10 · 6 January 2008]

It's been a while since I seen a good film, and this keeps you on the Edge of a the seat,

There is not much I can say without spoiling the film, But a must see Movie it's a constant flow of Romance, Action and Thriller throughout The film,

I would give this a rating of 7, because: A good story line, but nothing new it's been done before, The ending was good, but could have been better "they cut it too short" There was also two actors that I personally fort they could not act for a toffee:-p But overall I was impress and would watch this film again given the choice.

Entertaining But Disposable B-Movie Fodder

[zardoz-13 · 6/10 · 31 March 2013]

Prolific television director Keith Samples doesn't waste moment in his exciting little crime thriller "Love Lies Bleeding" with Christian Slater cast as a corrupt narcotics detective. As just about everybody else has pointed out, this low-budget, Sony Pictures release appropriates the premise of "True Romance" about a young couple on the lam with a vindictive cop on their tail. Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan-Tatum couldn't be more sympathetic as two young people who are struggling to eke out a living. She works at a supermarket, while Duke has little luck finding employment An Iraq veteran, Duke ran afoul of the law when he struck a Federal officer. It seems that the authorities were closing a nursing home where Duke's mother was one of the patients. He served a couple of years and got out on parole. Duke and Amber live near a Hispanic hoodlum who likes to steal from them. In fact, Amber walks in on them as they are stealing a television and a VCR. She tries to thwart them and gets beaten up in the process. When Duke sees her battered face, he goes out and gets an automatic pistol and vows to straight the Mexicans out. LAPD Narcotics Detective Pollen (Christian Slater of "Cuffs") pays a visit to Duke's Hispanic neighbors, but it isn't a social call. Instead, Pollen wants a duffel of drug money that he needs to slip back into its property locker at the police department. Pollen and his men walk into the hoodlums and a gunfight erupts. Pollen survives the fracas. While Pollen is strewn in his own blood at the scene of the shoot-out, Duke walks in and spots the duffel stuffed with loot. He grabs the duffel and takes Amber away in a vintage Chevrolet. They are planning to make a new life for themselves with the illicit drug money. The stop at a casino and win even more money. Inevitably, Pollen catches up with them. A shoot-out ensues, but our hero and heroine manage to escape. Nifty little fun.

Pathetic

[flick888 · 2 March 2008]

This film was truly awful, its a shame i read a review saying it was like true romance, "true romance being a 10 and this an 8". As true romance is my favourite film i thought i'd given it a go. I wish i'd watched true romance instead. Christian Slater is the only good part in this film and the only reason he is in it is because he must be a bit hard up for cash. The whole way through this couple are disgustingly cheesy and its an extremely cringeworthy film to watch. Also i just kept thinking, why? Why on earth would you do that?! Hated it and cant believe i watched it till the end. I gave this film a 2 and to be honest even thats being a bit generous. I don't blame the actors for the cheese in this film because they weren't overly that bad, but the writer, some lines were terrible. This film is nothing like TRUE ROMANCE.

The worst movie I've seen in as far back as I can remember, LITERALLY.

[qwerty613 · 1/10 · 5 January 2008]

Spare yourself from this travesty. I don't think I've ever seen a movie this bad in my life, honestly. I don't know what else I can tell you, but please, just avoid it. All I can muster is rhetoric, it's REALLY JUST THAT BAD.

Acting is awful (especially Brian Geraghty, who is always stone like for no apparent reason), in fact, even Slater (which was a bit of a surprise) seems to struggle to play the role convincingly (it's just too over the top retarded I suppose). Dialogue is bland, cheesy, and just all around makes me cringe with every line. I still can't believe I watched the whole thing. It's one of those movies that you want to turn off from the beginning.

Predictable plot, sloppy and uninspired cinematography, etc. It's just all around poor. The way the characters flip-flop back and forth (about what to do with the money) when their lives are at stake is laughable.

I will never write another review unless I see a movie poorer than this one. I would usually never write a review in the first place, but if I can spare someone 1.5 hours of their life then writing this will have been worth it. In fact, I am so disgusted by Brian Geraghty's performance that I will never watch another movie that he is ever again. They should have just cast a sock puppet in his place instead.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Going East

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 6 March 2009]

We always choose an Indie film over a studio-produced one any day of the week. That being said, we had no clue as to what to expect with this story about a young couple that are involved in robbing what appears to be "dirty money" from a gang of Latinos in a suburb of L.A. This film reminded us of movies of the genre that have been better made. It calls to our mind "True Romance", and others with stronger story lines, something this film could have used.

As a point of reference, this title has been used so many times before, we thought it might have been a remake of any of the other films, notably, the one from 1999 with Malcolm McDowell and Faye Dunaway in it.

Directed by Keith Samples, a man with a lot of experience in television, the movie is based on a weak screenplay by Brian Strasman. The story line doesn't make much sense, but one likes to go along to see where the plot takes us. It is hard to imagine that Duke, the young man in love with Amber, will get involved in trying to outsmart people that want them dead because, stupidly, they have robbed a team of bad cops; little do they know that money was earmarked to trap the gang members in the first place. Thus begin a chase throughout the Western states because Pollen, the sadistic policeman, will not give up and wants to trap the pair and make they pay for the humiliation of being outwitted by an amateur duet.

Christian Slater plays another creepy character without good results. Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan appear as the lovers that see the opportunity to start a new life far from their own backyard.

Dumb and Dumber without any laughs is just plain Stupid.

[YogiBear905 · 1/10 · 25 July 2008]

The lead characters are just plain stupid to the point that the plot is totally unbelievable. Almost every scene reeks of morbid stupidity making suspension of disbelief impossible except to wonder how bad can it be right to the end of this abysmal quagmire. I agree with anyone who hated this movie. Anyone who claims to like this movie must own shares in or be a shill for the production company. If not, please have your head examined, immediately. The character Duke is an absolute puke in this film. The actor who portrays him gives a Rassie worthy performance. I kept waiting for him to show something to no avail. I couldn't bear to watch this stupidity right through to the end. I had to switch to another movie and switched back to see if this disastrous entity had any hope of redeeming itself in the end. It didn't. Dumb and Dumber make this the Dumbest movie I have ever seen and the least worthy of watching, ever.

Not a very good thriller...

[moviedude1 · 7/10 · 27 September 2008]

When ex-con Geraghty comes home one day to find his home ransacked (again) and his girl (Dewan) roughed up by gang bangers, he's had enough. When he decides to take matters into his own hands, he shows up at the scene of a shootout over a bag of money left lying on the floor. After grabbing the money and running. He figures a safe distance away and starts to settle down, only to find bad guy psychotic Slater on his trail.

The genre categories on this film are stated as action, drama, and thrills. As for action, very little; drama, more than what should be in any action film; and thrills? Well, no thrills here, especially for someone who doesn't, ordinarily, like movies like this.

As for some of the leads, Geraghty didn't pull off his character, at least I didn't believe him and when did Dewan grow up? In two years, she's gone from high school ballet student in "Step Up" to high school teacher (?!?!?!) in "Fab 5: The Texas Cheerleader Story" and this one, where she's just a kid again starting out on life's journey. Slater was always a favorite of mine, but I just could not believe that he's happy with this performance. Whoever taught him who act as a psycho on the edge should give him a refund (or at least change for that dime he charged Slater for the acting lessons).

Overall, the premise was good, but the acting was not. Three bad acting jobs takes three stars away from what WAS a good story line. 7 out of 10 stars.

Wow, I don't believe I watched this till the end

[fishinnet · 3/10 · 16 January 2008]

This is my first review as I felt compelled to write to say just how bad this film is.

The acting is awful. The direction is awful and this type of storyline has been done to death.

What was Christian Slater thinking ?

I always watch films to the end of the titles but I was sooo glad when the, "Action", finished, I couldn't bear to see the names associated with this monstrosity.

If you have 94 minutes to spare, just go and stare at a wall, you may find it more entertaining.

Simple story with a routine background

[randyw-8 · 6/10 · 28 January 2008]

This was somewhat a routine set of stories brought up as a single movie to entertain the viewer.The film was not boring though.It was thrilling but nothing to jump up and down about.You know what i mean.The main character "Pollen" could have done a little bit more justice to his character than he did in this movie. Christian Slater does a somewhat minor role compared to roles he played in Broken Arrow etc.In this movie Slater becomes the bad guy who is after the bag of money he lost during a shoot out. Can be recommended if you have gone through all the movies in your movie store and left nothing else to watch when it comes to "Thrillers"

Could have been so much better if the writer could write

[inkslug · 2/10 · 6 April 2008]

I don't see how anyone can give this film a good rating and to compare it favourably with True Romance is an insult to that movie and film-making in general. The plot is you're standard 'couple stumble across wads of cash and go on the run'. There's nothing new in this story but that is not what makes it a bad film.

What makes this cringe-worthy viewing is the absolutely sloppy writing. The characters (all of them) are made to do such stupid things like leaving bags of cash wide open for all to see, not once, not twice, not thrice...And other things like buying a massively conspicuous getaway car, not locking a car with wads of cash in it. Our heroine in a maid's uniform with a massive and fresh gash on her head allowed to walk past a Police checkpoint who are on the look out for such a person.The list is absolutely endless, and there's even an apparently abandoned but fully functioning, rust and dereliction free power plant.

I had given this 3/10 but now that I've written about it I realise that is too generous 2 is all it's worth despite the odd amusing reference to True Romance that has been slipped in.

Not Without Flaws

[buffychik · 8/10 · 15 January 2008]

Christian Slater released two films at approximately the same time, "He Was a Quiet Man", and this particular piece. "Love Lies Bleeding" is a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but imagine Clyde as a miserably ignorant, somewhat philosophical "nice guy".

A young couple, Duke and Amber are living together on the wrong side of the tracks, dealing with poverty, crime, and general economic misfortune until coming upon a bag of money belonging to their drug-dealing neighbors. Also sought after by dirty cop Pollen, they go on the run to escape their depressing lives and find their dream life of a house with a yard and 2.5 children...etc...

Jenna Dewan is really developing quality acting skills, especially opposing Christian Slater's frightening "dirty cop" routine. Christian Slater once again shows his talents and versatility (very obvious if going between this film and "He Was a Quiet Man). This was a fantastic role for him. Brian Geraghty was slightly over-done, but it suited the role (Iraq war-vet that didn't come home quite right).

Overall, this film was chock-full of stereotypes and stayed rather cookie-cutter and predictable throughout. However, it was entertaining, and kept you going right until the end. Hence my rating of 8/10. It's not perfect by any means, but if you're not looking for substance, it's just a good entertaining film.

Good little B movie.

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 2 October 2009]

Good low budget exploitation film has an Iraq war vet trying to get buy in a bad neighborhood. When his house is robbed by the local bad guys, he goes to get his stuff back and walks into the aftermath of a bloody shoot out over drug money. He takes the money, grabs his girlfriend and runs. Unfortunately the money belonged to a crooked DEA agent and he wants the money back.

I never heard of this film before I stumbled on it and the presence of Christian Slater as the bad DEA agent was the reason I picked it up. Slater is quite good as the bad guy and he makes watching this film a great deal of fun since its a nice break from his normal heroic screen persona. The action is well done and keeps your interest. The cast sells what is a run of the mill plot making this a perfect film for a rainy afternoon. If there is any flaw its that the film feels a bit too much like True Romance at times. Perhaps its Slater, perhaps its other things, but more than one I asked myself why they bothered copying Tarantino when the film works so well on its own terms.

Worth a look.

How many movies the industry will do with the same script?

[fbauler · 2/10 · 13 November 2008]

I don't know what Christian Slater is doing on a movie like this, his career must be as bad as it gets. The plot is old, simplistic and don't go anywhere so the director had to make this non sense scenes where nothing happens just to waste more of our time. I rented because I had a credit to get a movie free and because Christian Slater was on the cover, so I thought this could be a nice movie, nothing too good but at least a regular movie.I have to say that I'm thankful that I didn't spent money on this. The main character is the most stupid person I've ever seen and sometimes I even cheer for him to be caught. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't lost 90 minutes of your life with it, I did and I regret it!

Average Film

[nmcgeo13 · 4/10 · 14 March 2008]

This film was average because it resembles True Romance too much. A couple looking to make a better life for themselves, stolen cash, bad guys and Christian Slater. The couple are in a rut, he finds some dirty money and the couple set off across the U.S., get married and visit a casino. Bent cops then chase them to get their money. Local law enforcers get involved and a whole load of people all get shot. The likeness to True Romance was evident from the start and the constant 'I love you' between the couple added to this. However, it wasn't as good as True Romance and the fact that it seemed like it was meant to be just like true romance made it worse.But worth a watch if not doing much else. The film was very average and to be honest not worth talking a whole lot about. Having said that, to grade it a 2 out of 10 is unfair and it deserves around a 4. If True Romance had never been made then it may achieve a 6 or 7.

to a new low

[rbwalkerrb · 1/10 · 21 November 2009]

This awkward piece of celluloid garbage was allowed to escape the cutting room floor. The directors, producers, production company could have done so much better. The actors should have been shot on the spot. This is not the level of incompetence we want to release to the public. I have seen better on a county college film school. Not to be nasty, but you have to get nasty to the people who release this type of manure. High in nitrates, carries across three fields, able to induce DiarrhEEEAR !!

get a video camera, invite your friends over, and drink some beer; you can do a better job yourselves.

Did we see the same film?

[burglarbil · 8/10 · 23 January 2008]

I had to wonder if I saw the same film as the other commentator as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, this is an old storyline but I thought the story was credible, the actors did a good job and were believable and the locations were authentic. I see from the forum that it was actually shot in Albuquerque which makes it even better for me as I'm unlikely to be lucky enough to visit the place myself. So to summarise, relatively unknown actors (except one), no big budget special effects, simple storyline and yes it works. Just remember folks, biggest isn't always best, just like this comment, I've said all I want to say but its not ten lines so I've got to fill it out!

true romance

[rivertam26 · 8/10 · 1 February 2008]

Every once in a blue moon a straight to DVD movie has the power to take me out of a drunken stooper and sober me up. This is one of those films. Flying onto DVD under the radar and under the recommendation from many customers I decided to check this little gem out. The cover art is pretty generic photoshop and unappealing. And the casting of Christian Slater doesn't bode too well however kick ass Jenna Dewan of Step Up and Tamara and sexy Brian Geraghty in full on hunk mode does add a bit of intrigue. Despite them I still decided to avoid it at first. Boy I'm glad I checked this movie out. A down on their luck good natured young couple come upon a bag full of dirty cop money. They flee with it and find themselves on the run from corrupt cops dealing with one bad turn after the next. Christian Slater is actually quite menacing as the films villain but the real treasures here are Dewan and Geraghty. Their chemistry is realistic and relatable. The movie falls into a True Romance type category and borrows heavily from that film and all those other Bonnie and Clyde type films like it. But the characters are very well drawn in this version and you really care about themPlus the performances are top notch and they are very likable. Here are two actors in desperate need of a deserving career. Both sexy and talented. I really wish this film would have been given a chance it's much better than most released in theatres and is actually professionally made with a clean gritty look to it. It's a shame that such a good film would be passed over because of lack of star power. But trust me it's worth a look. It's a prime hot rental at my job and from everyone whose renting it. it's getting really good word of mouth. Hopefully that will give some credit to the talented people involved.

***.5/5

Not as great as true romance, but still good

[crevy · 8/10 · 12 January 2008]

If you are to chose between watching true romance and this movie; chose true romance. I would give that movie 10/10 and this movie 8/10. This is still a very good movie. Different movies leaves difference impressions on me: i sometimes watch movies that are highly rated on IMDb (like "I am legend") and and is bored during the movie and afterward felt like i wasted a part of my life. This is not the case with Love Lies Bleeding. It is very exciting all the way, and balances the action with slower parts to actually produce an emotion of thriller to this viewer.

The acting is decent, and i felt with the characters. They felt like normal people and not like unrealistic super humans that's common these days in movies. The action part is not overdone and also feels realistic to me.

It's been done before... and better

[Wizard-8 · 5 May 2015]

"Love Lies Bleeding" uses a done-to-death plot line, which is, "Protagonist(s) come across a large amount of cash belonging to bad guys, and the bad guys hunt down the protagonist(s)." Even if you haven't seen as many versions of this plot line as I have, more likely than not you'll find this version considerably below average. It goes wrong in a number of ways. The actors playing the protagonists (Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan) are much too bland to generate sympathy from the audience, and Christian Slater (who is miscast) overacts so much that his antagonist character isn't the least bit creepy or menacing, coming across more like a cartoon character. But the movie isn't just sunk by the inadequate performances. The script has its share of flaws, such as some needed explanation for things (like how some ways the Slater character identifies and tracks down the protagonists) just isn't there, and how various plot turns are for the most part very predictable (like the climax taking place in... yes, you guessed it - a deserted factory). The direction by Keith Samples is also inadequate - there is very little tension or excitement generated, and the movie for the most part comes across as cheap and tacky. If you want to see a GOOD retelling of this formula, watch the Sean Bean movie "Ca$h" or the Scott Glenn movie "Night Of The Running Man" instead.

this movie was wonderful....(spoiler)

[california_rose_2006 · 10/10 · 24 February 2008]

this is one of the best action movies I've seen in a long time..and me and my spouse watch a lot of films.the acting is very believable,and u just feel for the couple who never seem to get any breaks.. If u want to watch an movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat..this one is a must see for you!from the very first scene this movie draws you into to world of duke and amber,a young couple just trying to build a life together.and when duke comes come to find his girlfriend beaten by some neighborhood thugs,he decides he has had enough and after he decides to buy as gun..their lives are suddenly turned upside down and they are led on the ride of their lives...soon they realize they are in way over their heads..and..well now u have to watch it to find out the rest..

Good Drama, Action and a Thriller

[Pratik112 · 8/10 · 5 April 2008]

They say that blood money is never good and this movie proves just that.

Duke and Amber,a young couple who are engaged, are struggling to survive, when one night a corrupt cop, who will stop at nothing to get his money back, shoots their neighbour, who are also a bunch of thugs who had looted the house several times in order to finance their habits. On the night concerned, Duke, who has purchased a gun, upon returning, finds the thugs dead and the corrupt cop wounded on the floor. He takes the money and informs his fiancée that they are moving.

Directed by Keith Samples, written by Brian Strassman, Love Lies Bleeding stars Christian Slater, Jenna Dewan and Brian Geraghty. This is like modern day "Bonnie and Clyde" with the exception that there's emotions involved. But never the less it still manages to captivate audience attention and it is worth watching.

Conclusion: A good one to watch.

Enjoyable B-Movie

[mcairns20 · 8/10 · 13 March 2008]

I have to start by saying,like most others have said,this movie is very similar to my all time favourite movie,True Romance,however,its still a good movie and i don't think you will waste your time watching it.

Obviously the acting could have been better,but it wasn't ALL that bad,i still have a lump in my throat as well,i WOULD recommend this movie to anyone,and give it a chance,don't just watch the first 10 minutes and think,why am i watching this,it does get better and i give it an 8/10.

It was strange seeing Slater play the opposite of Clarence Worley(his character in True Romance)but you do get used to it.

Great movie

[alfredoramirez-76496 · 10/10 · 16 April 2023]

This is a great film all the cast members were on point with their respective roles and the story line is never boring at all. A very well made film with lots of great natural background scenes, including the man made one's. Christian Slater has had a long standing career in acting and I admire his tenacity for always being there in some form or fashion relating to show buisness.

From child actor to middle age adult. He sets a great example for all the young up and coming new faces in the buisness. Over-all I rated it a 10 the highest rating possible if I could rate it higher I would've.

I'll go as far as to say it's one of my new favs.

Money Changes Everything

[kyleallen_9 · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

I recently purchased Love Lies Bleeding because I'm a fan of Jenna Dewan and Christian Slater. This movie was a decent suspense thriller and I loved every minute of it. Jenna Dewan(Tamara and Step Up) and Brian Geraghty(I Know Who Killed Me and Cruel World) star as a married teenage couple, who have a rough life, until he finds a bag of money. So they take the money and flee to Las Vegas to have a proper wedding. Everything is going great until Christian Slater(Alone in the Dark) and his people show up to claim the money. He plays a good psychopath in this flick, as he hunts the young couple to get back the millions of dollars of drug money. This movie was awesome and scary and suspenseful. I definitely recommend this to anyone who comes across it.