“There’s always a picture once you know where to look”
I thought this was a little hidden gem of a movie. It’s tacking some big ideas and doesn’t necessarily follow through on all of them.
I would call this a somewhat sanitized version of LA Confidential—it lacks the grit of that film and others within the crime drama genre. If it had the same grit and grime, I think this could have made a much larger impact. Instead it makes the decision to go with a glossy, stylized noir aesthetic, which is interesting enough in its own right, but almost makes this crime drama appear too much like a studio comedy.
And on that note, whoever designed the poster needs a talking to. I assumed based on the poster that I was getting a zany crime comedy with Joe Pesci doing a 1920’s New York mobster voice, but instead I got something that was serious all the way through and had a lot to say about the nature of art, journalism, and loneliness all wrapped up in a slick bit of filmmaking with a few brilliant moments sprinkled in for good measure.
Genuinely glad I watched this and thank god for the criterion channel for all they do.
“There’s always a picture once you know where to look”
I thought this was a little hidden gem of a movie. It’s tacking some big ideas and doesn’t necessarily follow through on all of them.
I would call this a somewhat sanitized version of LA Confidential—it lacks the grit of that film and others within the crime drama genre. If it had the same grit and grime, I think this could have made a much larger impact. Instead it makes the decision to go with a glossy, stylized noir aesthetic, which is interesting enough in its own right, but almost makes this crime drama appear too much like a studio comedy.
And on that note, whoever designed the poster needs a talking to. I assumed based on the poster that I was getting a zany crime comedy with Joe Pesci doing a 1920’s New York mobster voice, but instead I got something that was serious all the way through and had a lot to say about the nature of art, journalism, and loneliness all wrapped up in a slick bit of filmmaking with a few brilliant moments sprinkled in for good measure.
Genuinely glad I watched this and thank god for the criterion channel for all they do.
