...
Out of Sight (1998) ...
Even if we don't observe it at a first, "Out of Sight" has a time line as complex as Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction".
| Released: | 1998 |
| Running Time: | 123 minutes |
| Cast: | George
Clooney .... Jack Foley Jennifer Lopez .... Karen Sisco Dennis Farina .... Marshall Sisco Catherine Keener .... Adele Ving Rhames .... Buddy Bragg Steve Zahn .... Glenn Michaels Don Cheadle .... Maurice Miller Albert Brooks .... Richard Ripley |
| Writers: | Elmore Leonard
(novel) Scott Frank (screenplay) |
| Director: | Steven Soderbergh |
| My Rating | ****1/2 |
An outstanding crime
film, "Out of Sight" was released in 1998 and features George Clooney and
Jennifer Lopez. The director of this movie is Steven Soderberg and the
screenwriter is Scott Frank, who diligently adapted Elmore Leonard's novel. If
you haven't seen the movie yet, here are some things that may stir your
interest.
First, "Out of Sight" is directed by Steven Soderberg, Clooney's "Partner in crime" when it comes to film production. If you didn't find out up to now, Clooney and Soderberg own the Section Eight Production company since 2001 and have collaborated many times before.
Then, there's this charming crime story of Jack-Foley (Clooney), a successful bank robber who manages to make illegal withdrawals in more that 200 instances, using nothing but his smile, charm and his mind. How "Cloonish"! After being nabbed by the FBI, Foley makes an escape and heads towards Detroit for a big score. $5 million in uncut diamonds are waiting for him hidden in the house of Wall Street financier Richard Ripley.
Unfortunately (in fact fortunately), during his breaking out of jail, he took a female hostage, federal marshal Karen Sisco (Lopez). This is where the nice part of the movie appears, because despite the circumstances, they fall for each other. How romantic: the thief and the lady marshal grow attracted to each other while locked in a car trunk!
Even if we don't
observe it at a first, "Out of Sight" has a time line as complex as Tarantino's
"Pulp Fiction". Its structure resembles a hypertext thus enabling us to start
watching it at any point. When it comes to the characters, Elmore Leonard is
well known for his ability to create colorful personages and surprising
turnarounds. Here we have Jack Foley, the most charming bank robber you have
ever seen, appearing in the beginning of the movie in the most laid-back
robbery, sauntering up to a teller's window and politely asking whether this was
her first time being held up.
Well, "Yes, please!" And there we have Sisco, the marshal, played by one of the most desired women in show business - Jennifer Lopez. Her character's story is interesting and sticky, as her past experience should by no means enable her to fall for Foley (she had a previous liaison with a bank robber whom she had to shot eventually). But what robber can resist her determination and beauty and what marshal can resist Foley's charming appearance?
Even more, you can't pass by the smart script and diligent directing just like that. The dialogue, the characters and the storyline itself are smart, not to mention funny. You shouldn't miss some great scenes like the one in which Jack and Karen are crammed together in the back of the car, and you can't skip making a reference to Dunaway's "Bonnie and Clyde".
The supporting cast is also great and includes names such as Albert Brooks, Ving Rhames and Don Cheandle (who also played with Clooney in "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve"), not to mention a couple of memorable cameos which I won't mention for fear I might spoil all the fun.
Overall, "Out of Sight" is Soderberg's best movie since 1993 up to 1998. This is not his first time in crime genre, but the fact is that this film in particular demonstrates his mastery of the material.
