 | Starring: Richard Gere, Valérie Kaprisky, Art Metrano, John P. Ryan, William Tepper Director: Jim McBride Format: Dubbed PAL Widescreen Released: 19 Mar 2001 RRP: Average Rating:  |
Firstly, it's worth considering how enjoyable & absorbing the original film is. Belmondo & Seberg spend a great deal of time engaged in banal conversation , while Godard shakes the camera around to let us know it's just a movie. If this is your idea of film heaven, you probably won't like the remake.
Secondly, the remake has a genuinely satisfying narrative and, rather than having the bland bad boy perfomance of Belmondo, has Gere giving an energtic portrayal that also has psychological complexity; as well as being engagingly manic, he demonstrates the central character's lack of any self-awareness (the reason he gets into alll sorts of trouble). McBride's film also gives Los Angeles an unusual look, & uses music to good effect, particularly Elvis' 'Suspicious Minds' .
For what it's worth Tarantino is great fan of this film, & was strongly influenced by it (the projected backdrop when Bruce Willis is in the taxi in 'Pulp Fiction' echos the projected backdrop of the desert when Gere is in the Porsche). So, if like his films, you might very well like this one.
The big problem with the film is Richard Gere. To give him his due, Gere knocks himself out to inject some life into the predictable plot & mindless script, but there's no way around it: he's incredibly miscast, & his high-energy attempt to bring it off simply adds to the embarassment. Ultimately, the best thing that can be said for him is that he looks good naked. Valerie Kaprisky operates at much the same level: she too looks good naked, & that's about alll one can say for her one way or another.
That aside, the whole thing has the look & feel of a group of people trying desperately to do something "different" & "artistic" & failing miserably at every turn. The film looks glossy & expensive, but the production designs are never quite on target & the costuming is some of the worst I've ever seen; the cinematography is jumpy, but never to any actual point; & director Jim McBride either doesn't know what statement he is trying to make or simply doesn't have the skill with which to communicate it. At best, it is alll pretentious; at worst, you won't be able to decide between a stiff drink, a pain-killer, or just simply gouging out your eyes so you won't have to watch any more. Life is too short as it is; don't waste your hours on this one.
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