|
Amazon.com A little 1996 thriller that slipped through the cracks but deserves a look. John Rubinstein (and whatever happened to him?) plays a rich, successful New Yorker who finds his world turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped. A classic snob with no sense of the lives lived by those less fortunate, he finds himself being dragged all over New York--into neighborhoods he never knew existed, let alone ever visited--on the whims of the kidnapper. Directed by Richard Shepard, the film provides an intriguing character study of a man who begins to understand just how little the people in his life really care about him, mostly because the only people he knows are the ones who work for him (who don't count, in his mind). Rubinstein captures his sense of shock that the world, in fact, doesn't revolve around him, even as he must summon untapped resources to save his child. --Marshall Fine ... Read more Reviews (3) 
Probably the best movie ever made
Warning-some spoilers ahead.This ladies and gentlemen,is what I like to call the ultimate in film making.It's simply brilliant.There is much to recommend here.First off,the acting and plot are great.John Rubenstein gave an excellent and highly believeable performance as Frank Kramer and is one of the best actors to come out on a film reel.Sam Rockwell is a surprisingly good actor.I think this was his first acting job if I'm not mistaken.Whatever his first movie was,he's great. He oftentimes stole the show and had me laughing the whole way through.Calling himself Al Pacino and using profanity nonstop.He's practically a comedian.He's great.Second,the plot is terrific. Matty ( Rockwell's character,AKA Al Pacino) along with a friend kidnap Frank's daughter Nicole and are holding her for a ransom.Sure,a plot like that is old,but here,it's almost new.The music score is quite good and the sense of drama and suspense was wonderfully balanced.It's funny and gripping all at once.The film at the start however,is littered in limp humor.A tranvestite hooker,tough talking homeless man and a clown midget with laughably done make-up,you could say that the film is part comedy.But don't let that fool you.Halfway,it gets very gripping and the suspense becomes very tight.We know that Nicole is in danger and we're hoping she makes it out alive. Or when Frank is confronted by a disturbed man in his underwear in an old building.That scene is funny at first,but gets gripping later on. Overall,this is a simply brilliant film that will forever be a masterpiece.An excellent mix of drama,comedy and suspense,wonderful acting and a great plot makes this a must-have movie.Just buy this! Rated R for extreme profanity,brief drug use and some violence.
One of the best movies ever
Warning-some spoilers ahead.This is a terrific and truly gripping film that very sadly doesn't get as much credit as it deserves.It's very entertaining and boasts great performances and John Rubinstein is a wonderful actor and was excellent at the role of Frank.Sam Rockwell is great too and about half the time steals the show (his characters alias is Al Pacino!) The film also has a terrific sense of drama and is also very funny at times.A truly brilliant and gripping film with an excellent mix of drama,comedy and suspense.The acting is wonderful and the film truly does keep you at the edge of your seat.BUY IT! Rated R-contains extreme profanity,drug use and some violence.
Taut, tense indie thriller
Mercy is a taut, tense thriller, with a raw New York edge. Though contemporary it sometimes feels like a classic thriller from the 70's (c.f. French Connection, Fourth Protocol). Terrific performances from Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Box of Moonlight) and Rubinstein (The Practice, Someone to watch over me). The screenplay was rumoured to be a big influence on the script for RANSOM, but Mercy has a far harder edge, and refreshingly ambiguous ending. Shot all over Manhattan and Queens, with adventurous photography, a story that twists, turns, and squirms, and a killer score. A dark and very rewarding film.
... Read more |
