Reviews (76)

It's maybe flawed but it has an Excellent Direction.
When a sexually unsatisfied attractive older woman (Angie Dickinson) decides to cheat on her husband for a One Night Stand. Then she's got killed by a unseen murderer. A High-Priced Callgirl (Nancy Allen) is the only witness to the killing. When no one believes her. The dead woman's Son (Keith Gordon) decides to help the woman to trap the killer.

Written and Directed by Brain De Palma (Sisters, The Phantom of the Paradise, The Untouchables) made a clever, razor-sharp thriller but the film suffers some predicability moments that puts it down a bit. There's strong performances by Micheal Caine, Dickinson, Allen and Gordon highlight this film. It's almost perfect in it's own way. Palma does homage to the another Hitchcock's film-Pyscho and Palma's his own film-Carrie at the End. This has excellent cinematography by Ralf D. Bode and a chilling score by Pino Donaggio. DVD has the R-Rated and the Unrated Version in this Special Edition. This has an good anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, also with the Original Mono Soundtrack. DVD's Extras are great, including an 45 Minute Documentary, Three Featurettes, Trailers and More. This Thriller is Certainly Unique, Do Not Miss It. Panavision. Grade:A-.

An entertaining, occasionally very suspenseful thriller.
Director Brian De Palma has never helmed an original film his entire career, but let's face it, he's just as good as anybody else when it comes to creating palpable suspense, which is what makes his more blatant rip-offs immensely watchable. Dressed to Kill is one such example. Taking a few cues from Alfred Hitchcock, the film is an erotic thriller that certainly features its sexy moments, and also has the power to disturb as well.

Angie Dickinson stars as Kate Miller, a sexually dissatisfied wife (though quite loving mother) who needs some things to spice up her personal life. She relates her problems to her psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Elliot (Michael Caine), to the point of almost prodding him to sleep with her, but he refuses. On a random day in an art museum, she encounters a mysterious man with whom she plays a little game of cat-and-mouse. Following him to a cab, they enage in a tryst inside the taxi, all the way to his apartment, where they proceed to go at it for several more hours. Then as she awakens to leave, she finds out (through a little note by the health department) he's got STD's! In a panicked state, she runs to the elevator, but is then brutally murdered by a tall, blonde woman brandishing a razor blade. The rest of the film focuses on Miller's son, Peter (Keith Gordon), who teams up with a gold-hearted prostitute (Nancy Allen) to find his mother's killer.

Dressed to Kill doesn't get off to the best start. For the first half-hour, the sexual frustrations of this middle-aged woman are far less than captivating, and until the elevator scene, this is a snoozer. But let me tell you, the remaining 2/3's or so of the picture is often first-rate entertainment, delivering a lot of suspenseful moments and shocking violence.

The film grew more interesting when it focused on the relationship between Gordon and Allen. Both deliver good performances, and there's a sort-of non-sexual chemistry between them that works superbly. Too bad De Palma doesn't really focus on this interesting couple until the last half-hour.

The last five or so minutes are among the film's most suspenseful (and you get to see Allen naked!), though I think we're all in a little agreement when we say that the final shock is a bit gratuitous. Also excessive is the film's resemblance to a certain Hitchcock film. Even without that resemblance, though, Dressed to Kill would still have been predictable. I mean, come on, I knew the identity of the killer in a heartbeart. You'll figure it out just as fast, too.

As an erotic thriller, Dressed to Kill isn't as fluffy as films like Wild Things, Color of Night, or Basic Instinct, though it also happens to be less steamy and sexy than the latter two. Actually, as I said before, the focus here is to disturb, and the movie doesn't do such a bad job of that.

Pino Dinaggio's score is chilling and among his better works. De Palma goes with his usual camera work, meaning there are a lot of uninterrupted shots and split-screens, the latter of which fails to build suspense as it's meant to. A lot of people see Dressed to Kill as a "have safe sex" message, which I could kind of agree with, even though Dickinson's character would still have been offed in a horrible manner even without that tryst.

The first of De Palma's two erotic thrillers, Dressed to Kill happens to be the weaker of the two. Yeah, it's often suspenseful and entertaining, but Body Double stands out more, as that film's suspense sometimes reaches heights of exhilaration. My advice, take a look at both and decide for yourself.

Glossy, meaningless, and occasionally scary
Brian de Palma knew his 1970s audience. When choosing what film to see at the cinema (if you had a choice in those days), it was difficult for many men to persuade their girlfriends to choose an out-and-out erotic movie. (The cinema scene in 'Carry On Camping' gives you some idea of the prevailing attitudes.) So, much like the Hammer movies, de Palma wrapped up the sex in a glossy horror thriller coating. Bizarrely, girls found it much easier to tell their mums that they'd be going to see 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' than 'Swedish Nurses Get Hot', or whatever.

But watching this movie with 25 years of hindsight, when people tend to be more open about sex, you have to wonder what was the point of this film, and what was an actor as good as Michael Caine doing in it. Angie Dickinson, another highly paid actress of the era, is also in it, but frankly her death is so badly acted that you could fairly say she deserved this film.

De Palma is a great user of that "Actually it was all a dream" device that we're warned to avoid in creative writing classes. So we get two dream sequences -- each with a central shower scene -- which are both flimsy excuses to get the clothes off his leading ladies (Dickinson and Nancy Allen). Despite the partial use of a body-double for Dickinson, these are attractive, gripping scenes, and probably the highlights of the movie.

The less said about the geekish son and the police detective, the better. Allen's redemption from NY hooker to sleep-alone companion (in chintz night attire!) to the son is also less than convincing.

GOING UP?
DRESSED TO KILL is very much like "Psycho" in its opening segments. Here we meet the lovely Angie Dickinson who feeling sexually unsatisfied engages in a cat and mouse game with a stranger in a museum. She ends up having wild sex with him in a cab and then off to his apartment for an afternoon of fun. That fun turns sour however when she finds a doctor's report that is disturbing in itself, and then she forgets her wedding band and so after intending to leave, she goes back up and meets..well...it's just like Janet Leigh in Psycho. Your heroine is offed in the first thirty minutes. The killing scene in the elevator is extremely disturbing and brutal, and made even more so in the unrated version.
DePalma has often been accused or ripping off Hitchcock, but I don't think that's the case. Always using an imaginative twist as his fulcrum, DePalma gave us some really intense, chilling thrillers, heavy at times on sex and violence, but nonetheless, hypnotic and mesmerizing.
The cast performs adequately, although Caine seems a little disinterested and Dennis Franz plays his crude cop for the hundredth time. Nancy Allen and Keith Gordon are fine, but Angie really steals the film, even if only briefly. Without any dialogue, she shows how lonely and "hungry" she is while chasing this stud around the museum. And as with Leigh, one can't help but feel sorry for their untimely demise.
Not one of DePalma's best, but still a deserving thriller.

one of my all time favorites!
One of my top ten favorite movies along with Carrie also by Depalma. i won't say too much about the story without giving too much away. basically it is about a mother, her son,a hooker, a psychiatrist, and a woman in sunglasses. These people all get caught up in a murder mystery where all is not as it seems. several scenes will have you leaping from your seat. it is interesting that in this movie and carrie depalma closes with a dream sequence. and both movies have beautiful music as well. Angie Dickenson, Nancy allen, Michael CAine all do a great job here. highly recommended. and i am not kidding that sometimes when i get on elevators i get a chill thinking about this movie. im sure i am not the only one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I love this movie!
This movie is such a classic! I especially commend the acting talents of not only Robert DeNiro, but that young Judith Thomas! She was robbed of her oscar in 1969 for her wonderful performance!

The Wedding Party
A great movie with an early Robert DeNiro who's great and everything he does and this is one of the first movies before he worked with Martin Scorsese and became a legend in Hollywood so enjoy this Bobby classic ... Read more

Reviews (110)

Disappointed mostly
I wanted to see this movie when it first came out, but decided against it. I finally saw it for the first time tonight, and was quite disappointed. Nicolas Cage is such a great actor, but he makes a fool out of himself in this film...he plays a weak character, and does the best he can at it, but it still falls way short of what we've seen. (Watch 'The Rock' or 'Con Air' for best acting by Cage.) Gary Sinise does a decent job, but I have never seen him make a role seem outstanding, so I didn't mind too much. The plot was weak--2 stars out of 5--the script was quite poor--1.5 stars out of 5--but Brian De Palma (Mission: Impossible) did a good job as usual. I love how the first fifteen minutes of the movie were filmed, and how an entire scene would be shot from start to finish without being cut. Overall, even a good director like De Palma couldn't save this film...neither could Cage. A poor script, weak plot and characters nobody could relate to--unless you're a married man with a son while cheating on your wife and taking bribes to support yourself--doomed this movie before it was ever filmed. Too bad...this really had something it could've worked off of, but even the ending seemed rushed...now that I think of it, this movie had no climax, but I'll give it 3 stars for Cage's attempt at making this work. Hope this helps.

A very complex film -- much more than it's given credit.
The editorial review here by the Amazon guy (Keough?) is totally off the mark. He missed out on the entire point of Sinise purposefully plotting the crime where he did and not "coincidentally" with his friend. Forget all the dazzling camera work and just focus on the two main characters. Sinise's motivation is one of the more compelling that I have seen in ANY movie villain, and not easy to dismiss. To the film's credit it never marginalizes him, and winds up making some pretty serious statements about how we view loyalty. Cage's character and his relationship with Sinise really brings this out. Quite simply, a brilliant script. The only thing I would say is a bit hokey is the outfits of the ladies. But really, that just kind of makes it fun. Gorgeous Ryuiki Sakamoto score. This movie is not about DePalma flexing his technical muscles. It's one of the best American films in decades.

great film, needs a special edition though
Great film, good cast, but it was the lack of special features that disapointed me. All it has was the original theatrical trailer.

snake eyes, you crapped out
this was a nice Brian DePalma flick and it had its ups and downs in the middle and I read the book and the ending of the book is better than the ending of the movie because in the ending of the book Gary Sinise's character gets squashed by a big globe thing and in the movie he shoots himself. Cage is just plain crazy people and I like that about him. though the let down is the fight scenes with Stan Shaw and that other boxer.

Entertaining, But Unoriginal
This movie was so pointless and ordinary that I finished watching it just fifteen minutes ago, and I've already begun to forget its plot. Frankly, I was expecting much more from this movie. I figured that when you have a great director, an Academy Award winner, and an Academy Award nominee working together on a movie, it might be worth watching. For this particular movie, I was wrong.

This movie takes place in Atlantic City, where there is a big boxing match at which the Secretary of Defense of the United States is in attendance. He's assassinated as the match commences, and at first this murder seems like a textbook case of a political fanatic who kills a politician in order to raise awareness about his cause, but soon the plot thickens. Nicholas Cage plays the detective in charge of uncovering this plot, and Gary Sinise is his friend and fellow law enforcement official who is really the brains behind the assassination. The rest of the movie involves some hackneyed cat and mouse scenes, but nothing incredibly memorable.

There are two very talented actors in this movie, and they weren't able to display their talents here. This type of movie is really too simplistic for actors of this caliber. The truth is that you'll be entertained for the duration of the movie, but if you're looking for something that's Oscar worthy, this isn't it. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A Fine Suspense Thriller
Okay, bare with me. This movie is kind of confusing. First of all, the horrendous reviews on this page do not do this fine film justice. They must've seen a different film. Brian De Palma directed this stylish thriller With John Lithgow playing twin brothers, who don't know wether or not to help their nutso father(also played by Lithgow)steal children so he can perform experiments on them. It's a dark and disturbing subject matter that might turn off some people. There are a few twists and turns here that keep this movie incredibly interesting. De Palma definitley has a style that's all his own. Odd camera angles, slow motion scenes, etc. Besides the roles mentioned above, Lithgow plays a few more as well. Everybody knows that Lithgow is an incredibly brilliant actor. With this role, he gets to show off his tremendous talent. He steals the show and eats up every scene he's in. A remarkable performance. Lolita Davidovich plays his wife who's having an extramarital affair with character actor Steven Bauer. Frances Sternhagen("Misery") also shows up as a psychologist. The movie is dark and weird. The first half is pretty talky. It sets up the characters and what's going on. If you hang in til the second half, you'll have fuun because things start rolling and everything goes nuts. It's an interesting film where it's tough to really say too much. What you can say doesn't describe the film and what it's really like well enough. If you say everything then you'll definitley be letting some secrets out. De Palma definitley has a Hitchcock thing going. Good for him. Somebody needs to keep that kind of classic filmmaking alive. All in all, this is an odd and intriguing film. You might not think much at first, but it'll hook you and you won't want to turn away. It's a creepy film that is destined to give you the willies. Raising Cain is one of the better psychological thrillers to come around in a while. Do not listen to the negative reviews. They know not what they say.

superb !
One of my favourite DePalma movies - this is an incredibly contrived but hugely enjoyable thriller with some fantastic fluid camerawork from Stephen Burum and a tremendous score from DePalma regular Pino Donnagio.
John Lithgow delivers a towering performance (or is that performances?) that holds the attention right through the film.
Top stuff. A definite keeper.

Over-the-top Or Not, LITHGOW ROCKS!
Alright, look. So many people say that this is DePalma's worst. Okay, fine. Who cares. Apparently it meant enough to you to spend your time writing a review. The bottom line is this is a cool movie. To say that this is a Psycho rip-off, is to single it out from the dozens of other films that have stolen from Hitchcock. Everybody steals from everybody. When something works, you use it. You make it your own. Get over it.

Norman Bates and Carter Nix comparison: both have a female multiple who has them wearing a dress and both dump bodies in a lake. That's it. Otherwise, they're nothing alike. A split personality is a good ailment to pair with murderous tendencies. Hollywood latches on to a lot of lame ideas that didn't work from the getgo, but this one they got right. And if nothing else, it has John Lithgow giving one of the finest performances in his career and people need to recognize that. Quite a stretch from Third Rock From the Sun, eh? Range is everything.

I was confused by the dream sequences and continue to wonder exactly how Lolita Davidovich got from Steven Bauer's hotel room back to her and Carter's home if her car ride was a dream. Bizarre, yes. Bad, no. Deserves to be seen becasue Lithgow is amazing to watch.

More Good Fun from a true Movie-Loving Director
Those who expect movies to teach moral lessons ought to stay away from most of the work of De Palma (with the weird exception of "Untouchables" which the moral lesson-types will enjoy until the very last scene, when the real De Palma has the last laugh, indicating that the entire "moral drama" of the picture has been a big joke!). For those who enjoy giving themselves over to De Palma when he is at his most inspired with in-jokes, absurdly brilliant cameras moves, and bravura scares, this is a total gem. One of De Palma's best for those with a sense of humor!

John Lithgow
Lithgow's performance is the reason to own this film. Classic. I also reccommend purchasing "Riccochet" to see Lithgow spit out some of the best one-liners in movie history. Yes, movie history! This guy is/was awesome as a bad guy. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Casualty of Brian De Palma
CASUALTIES OF WAR is one of many Vietnam War movies that came out in the late 80's as a result of the success of PLATOON. Unfortunately, it is one of the weakest. It's one of those movies that has a great premise (and cast - Michael J Fox and Sean Penn) but it is poor in it's final execution. By orders of Sgt Meserve (Penn) as retaliation to the death of his friend during combat, a U.S. platoon raids a village and kidnap a vietnamese girl. Then they take turns raping and eventually kill the girl. One of the platoon, Private Errikson (Fox) refuses to participate, and even goes as far to report the incident to his superiors. However, in typical twist of military fate and honor, he is branded as a traitor and is threatened by his the men in his platoon. Errikson/Fox endures a multitude of harrassment and is even almost killed. In some documentation of the making of this film, it was reported that Fox was unhappy with his character's lack of retaliation during the hazing sequences when he is branded a snitch. Fox had suggested to the director, De Palma, the scene where Pvt Errikson hits Pvt Clark (actor Don Harvey-EIGHT MEN OUT)in the face with a shovel out of frustration after an attempt is made on his life with a grenade. The story is based on a true account, however, the movie does not justify the end means. Penn's character is not unlikeable at all and very scary. Fox is always a presence, but perhaps the brutality and meaningless of what is done to the girl is not watchable as the Vietnam War itself is all ready a contoversial subject. To put this scenario in the forefront of what is all ready an unpleasant theme validates the proverbial "two-wrongs-don't-make-right".

Fox and war
A wonderful DVD, the beginning was a little droll but the movie picked up considerably in the middle. The language is rough, the graphics can get gory, but altogether it is a heartbreaking film. Vietnam at its worst.
Michael J. Fox played his part,(as always) to the max, and Sean Penn was not far behind for the evil and crazy leader of the band.
Altogether, it's a movie anyone should watch. If not for the truth and final showdown between Fox, and his enemies, but for the wonderful acting and storyline.

The Rest of the Story
I know the soldier on whom the character of Sven was based, and the incident portrayed in the movie impacted his life in a major way. Due to death threats from the comrades he turned in for their crimes, he and his wife decided not to have children. At the time, they felt that the risk to their own lives and any family they might start were too great. Fortunately, nothing ever came of the threats, even after the rapists/murderers got out of prison. But this gentle, compassionate, loving couple was kept from having a family due to the shadow on their lives.

American servicemen are just as guilty of such atrocities today. We've already seen stories of how they rape their own female comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan. No wonder the people whose countries we occupy hate the "Ugly Americans."

Beyond the war
This is one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen. It is a war movie that goes so far beyond war itself that Vietnam almost seems an afterthought. This DVD does not showcase an specific battle or heroic stand, nor does it document any significant persons or events in the war.

Rather, the approach of this story is far more basic: what is the relationship between men & women during wartime? Is it different than during peace? What if the woman in question is suspected of being the enemy? What is the typical response of the military hierarchy to an alleged crime? What can be done to minimize the opportunities of military units abusing their power and control? (After all, armies are frequently misogynistic to begin with).

Michael J. Fox belongs in a war movie just about as much as Winnie the Pooh is at home in an action movie. However, it is for this very reason that Fox is perfect in this film. This is not a plot that tells of manly men doing manly wartime things. Fox' character is an average-Joe human who is mainly consumed with the notion of getting back home in one piece as opposed to being shipped back in a body bag.

On a patrol, his detail (led by the masterful actor Sean Penn) decides to kidnap a Vietnamese girl whom they believe to be VC. They use this premise (misguided or not) to justify their having their way w/her while Fox and the viewer watch helplessly.

This is one of the most poignant war movies you will ever see. The issue it addresses is very relevant despite being distasteful. I cringe to think that the episode depicted was hardly an isolated case, whether it be a crime inflicted by the US military or any other standing army in the history of warfare.

In sum, this is a jolting reminder to us that warfare and ethics are inherently unhappy bedfellows. What happens in the field should NOT stay in the field.

A true story told with flaws
Casualties of War, despites some of its flaws, is quite faithful to the original text which was a true story. Not many people realize that "Sven Eriksson" is a real person who actually experienced much of what Michael J. Fox's character went through in the movie.

But does it work as a movie? For the most part, yes. The two glaring problems with Casualties is the ending and some of the soundtrack music which DePalma uses to excess.

The ending, as it's explained within the DVD extras, is purposely presented as uplifting. We see Eriksson on a San Francisco BART train awaking from his bad dream/memories. He sees a girl who could be the one who was murdered and raped in Vietnam. He calls out the Vietnamese girl's name. The woman responds that he must have had a bad dream, but it's all over now. And then we get the "uplifting" music that rises to a crescendo.

Upon viewing the movie for a second time this ending is particularly bad. DePalma argues in the DVD extras that this positive ending was meant as a way to give the audience some relief. However, it's so hammy that it belittles the true story that precedes it. It's all a dream, it's all over, everything is now OK. But everything is not OK and everything is not over.

Which brings me to the one thing that this DVD should have offered - more information about the true story behind the movie. Why not go to Vietnam and show where the incidents actually took place? "Eriksson" is actually a pseudonym of the real man who has apparently been in hiding due to death threats from the men he helped put in prison. How about some more information about where these men are today? Perhaps nothing more can be offered about Eriksson, but at least we could have been shown in the DVD what happened to the men who committed the crimes.

I give the DVD five stars because this story is important. Americans so quickly forget these kinds of true stories. We quickly sweep them under the rug and say it doesn't matter. Casualties helps brings us back to reality, albeitly in a rather flawed manner. ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Realistic, Gritty Crime Tale
In one of his best performances ever, Al Pacino is the engine that keeps "Carlito's Way" moving from beginning to end. Recently-released from prison, Carlos Brigante (played marvelously by Pacino) is a former Puerto Rican drug lord who ruled New York City's drug world during the 1960's and 1970's. Assisted by his lawyer (Sean Penn) Pacino is determined to stay out of the trade that landed him in prison in the first place. However, as usual trouble always lurks in every corner.

Deciding to buy and operate a Latin nightclub from an owner who is seriously in debt (played by the famous Argentine comedian Jorge Porcel, who had a cult following throughout Latin America due to his sexually-charged comedy skit show "A La Cama Con Porcel; he is know as the Latin-version of "Benny Hill"). Yet as old faces reemerge onto the scene, newer faces have also started to take a foothold in Brigante's former empire, especially Benny Blanco (played by the ever-wonderful John Leguizamo).

Directed by Brian de Palma ("Carrie"), this is one of the most realistic, and historic accurate pictures of life in New York City's urban jungle during the late 1970's/early 1980's. Penelope Ann Miller ("Adventures in Babysitting" is great as Brigante's love interest, and Luis Guzman always is a scene-stealer playing Pacino's right-hand man.

The DVD version contains production notes, cast biographies, and the original theatrical trailer and the sound and picture quality are excellent. Pacino (a Bronx native) masters a perfect Puerto Rican accent in the same way he mastered his Cuban-emigre accent in "Scarface". "Carlito's Way" is guaranteed to keep you entertained due to thrilling performances by the entire cast, amazing cinematography, great directing, and most importantly, incredible realism. Destined to become a modern urban classic.

scarface with a twist
When the guys that brought you Scarface team up again what bad
things can happen.Brian De Palma and Al Pacino two of the biggest
stars on their film duties in Hollywood today.This movie really
has the 80's,disco feel scarface as but as the De Palma plot turn
and twists seen in Snake Eyes,Body Double,and Raising Cain so it'
s all very entertaining.Along with another De Palma regular Sean
Penn(Casualties Of War) plays the coke addicted wacko lawyer to
absolute perfection.This film not as violent as Scarface as more
plot twists which makes it almost more entertaining with a great
cast including John Leguizamo and Penelope Ann Miller Carlito's
Way is one of Pacino's,Penn's,and De Palma's best films ever so
if you like a mixture of The Usual Suspects and Scarface give
Carlito's Way a watch it's great.

What is so Wonderful about this movie?
This is not that great of a movie. I dont know why people are making such a big deal out of this movie. I saw it, I tryed to understand it, I just thought it wasnt one of Pacino's best....sorry

Pacino and Penn give great performances
almost a sequal to scarface..Carlito Brigante is Tony Montana after doing 15 yrs and having a change of heart...I cant beleive there wasnt some thinking on those lines from the actor and director of both movies...Sean Penn nearly steals this movie as David Kleinfeld Carlitos lawyer is more crooked than the crooks he defends..and Luis Guzmán as Pachanga shows why hes one of the best character actors working today...

The best film of Brian de Palma
The facts derivated from the story put us before a man who wants to get away his destiny , but (in a mgnificent shakesperian mood), nobody can escape from his past.
There's no doubt that this film has multiple virtues. Sean Penn grew up like actor al least two thousands steps. His role is so well made like the sinister lawyer without a drop of scruples, and this is the fate's arm that literally takes to Tony Montana and throws to hell.
In my personal view, I think Sean Penn deserved an Academy award by this role.
It's a sinister view about the redemption given by Montana since he leaves the jail.
Pacino gives one of his more relevant roles all along his career.
He gives us that crude sensation of walking in the edge of the knife through all the film. Will it be necessary to say that in this film like in others, Pacino is much more than an actor, he is a nature's force and elevates the standard performance of every one of his partners?.
Watch for instance one of my favorite beauties of the cinema: Penelope Ann Miller. Her role is so well made that this film literally gave to David Lynch the final decission for including her in Mulholland's drive.
There are several unforgettable sequences in the film. The first of these belongs to that claustrophobic situation in which we find Carlitos, when he decides to rescue the money of his beloved friend. In his honor code, Carlitos can not give a "no" like answer. And that's the road to his perdition.
The other anthology scene is that made in the hospital when he visits to the lawyer by last time. The slow camera describes all the movements of the false police who revenges to his father and we can see how the bullets are released by Carlitos just before.
The final shots camera in the chase when Carlitos has planned everything and runs with the clock dictating its final minutes. The angles of camera and the tension produced in the train station for me is above his tribute to Potemkin in "The untouchables".
Carlitos way is a cult movie. But also you can consider like the shakespeare spirit made present in what I would design together with Road to Perdition , the most original "film noir" movies in the last fifteen years. ... Read more

Description

Femme Fatale is a contemporary film noir about an alluring seductress (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) suddenly exposed to the world -- and her enemies -- by a voyeuristic photographer (Antonio Banderas) who becomes ensnared in her surreal quest for revenge. ... Read more

Reviews (107)

Femme Fatale
Brian DePalma has a delightfully wicked sense of irony, and a twisted sense of humor which is sadly lacking and sorely missed in today's overly self-serious pop culture. This makes watching Femme Fatale feel fresh and exciting, even though such irony was a prime staple of movies in the '70's -- a decade largely regarded as DePalma's prime. That is when he directed Carrie, Phantom of the Paradise & Dressed to Kill, among others.

The Femme Fatale in this movie is a diamond thief/con-artist named Laure who assumes the identity of another woman to escape some partners she double crossed. She is wonderfully evil, and great fun to watch as she manipulates the men around her using her body and her tears in order to get what she wants.

But there is a great deal more of this movie to love. Brian DePalma delights in playing tricks with cinematic conventions both narrative and visual. His love for unusual camera angles is still present in this film, which delivers a plot that twists and turns as seductively as Laure's strip tease. I picked up clues as to one major plot twist early on, hoping I would be wrong. I was partly right, DePalma took something that would have left me groaning in lesser hands and twisted it so that I was laughing with delight as the climax approached.

DePalma has also mellowed out a bit with this movie. Much of his prior films would feature gallons of bright red blood and gruesome, creative, deaths of beautiful women. This film keeps much of the fake blood away from the women, cutting away from any of their more potentially gruesome death scenes.

This movie is highly rescommended to those who enjoy being surprised. Watch it. You may think you have it figured out, but there is no way anyone could guess the ending. As the credits start to roll, you will realise that you were in the hands of a cinematic master with an impish sense of humor.

Femme Fatale excellent transfer to DVD
This movie was the "love it!" or "hate it!" experience of 2002. It's a Brian De Palma affair, and if you liked DRESSED TO KILL and BODY DOUBLE you will love it! I thought it was a fun erotic ride with a lot of style. Beautifully photographed, and teasingly esoteric - it became sort of a "what if De Palma made MULHOLLAND DRIVE". Sit back and have a lot of fun! At it's heart this is just a big beautiful popcorn movie!

The performances of the actors are surprisingly fun. Rebecca Romijin Stamos plays the lead role, and she's sexy and fun. She's been a victim of weak scripts for some time, and here she emerges as a very capable and strong actress. Antonio Banderas plays a European paparazzi who falls into the web. He's playful and quick!

The DVD has a great transfer of the film! Included are many featurettes with interviews of almost everyone involved. Brian De Palma never records commentaries for his DVDs, but he does do interviews which plunge the depths of anything you might want to know. There are two trailers - one foreign and one domestic. The French trailer is a real treat! It shows the entire film in high speed from opening credits to final, and then teases you with "You just saw the new Brian De Palma film ... didn't get it? ... try again!" The perfect sentiment to this film! Either you get it or you don't.

Roger Ebert named it one of the best films of the year, other critics either praised it or panned it. There was no middle ground! But the passion for film-making is here - the joy and the style make it infectious. A movie you can watch again and again!

sparkel22 watch it again and learn!
No offense intended towards the reviewer name "Sparkel" but he/she needs to WATCH the movie, in its entirety to KNOW why the woman in the bathroom stall 'allowed' her diamonds to be stolen. ...went right over your head i guess.

loved the film, and was suprised that i waited over a year to see it and was refreshingly suprised with what i saw. EVEN if you disagree with depalma's style or the overall quality of the film, you'll (provided you're breathing) will love the visuals and how stunningly beautiful rebecca and her french 'freind' are.

sit back and enjoy this one!

j

A mesmorizing classic!
this movie is amazing from beginning to the end. It's even better when you watch it for the 2nd or even the 3rd time because you see clues you didn't see before and appreciate the stylish and the artistic film and also understand the film better. the story is great and clever and never slows down to the end. I was totally mesmorized. many people didn't like this movie. It'll be one of those films that people either didn't like or missed that will be a total classic in the future. It's one of the best movies I've seen in the past 5 years. It's totally non-hollywood so if you like that kind of movie, you won't like this, which is very intelligent.

little hit&alot of miss
this film was interesting for a minute then it lost me.the story writing was a bit under developed on a whole&after a while the pacing of the film got fragged down.it had a few moments but not enough to maintain my interest. ... Read more