The Negotiator (1998)

How do you start off with maximum tension and action? Well, I suppose a hostage situation with a shotgun and some snipers should do the trick. Tone set. 

Generally the tension is very high for almost the entire movie, and you can almost smell the sweat of the hostages spending hours in a high-stress situation in a cramped environment. At times there is a bit of frantic shouting going on, that seems overabundant for both the action and suspense. But nothing is perfect, I suppose

Samuel L. Jackson is given a couple of scenes to show some versatility, but mostly he's (understandably) stressed and (even more understandably) angry. Fortunately, few actors can better portray stressed anger in an action film than SLJ. 

The rest of the cast is absolutely stellar. J.T. Walsh died before this film was released and of all the actors on display, he really takes centre stage when given the chance. In addition, Jackson is good and Spacey at his smartest and most intense. When you add the mix of Rifkin, Spencer, Morse and Giamatti, this has "rock solid" written all over it. And it is.

As Spacey enters, the cleverness and human drama increases tenfold. Spacey and SLJ have fantastic sparring from the first scene, measuring each other, testing each other, not to mention bluffing each other. Playing a quite brilliant, and most lethal, game of chess. And some very nice twists and surprises to boot. Chemistry on screen makes such a difference.

Another thing that makes a difference, is the music, and Graeme Revell delivers full-on this time. An uncharacteristically sombre score, with a few beautiful themes. Perfectly timed for key scenes. Revell's best score by a mile. 

I usually don't like thrillers as they are a dime a dozen, and most of them have an excessive amount of twists, increasing in stupidity, rather than one very good one. This thriller has a very good spread of tension all through, and doesn't overdo the twists, nor the action (apart from the shouting), albeit it has a very frantic pace. Hence it's both satisfying and entertaining to watch.

And to see Jackson and Rifkin line-dance to "Cotton Eye Joe" is something... You'll never see anywhere else.

8/10

Eye of the Needle (1981)

 

Ah. A spy-story with roots in WW2 starring Donald Sutherland. Now this should be a treat.

There is no guesswork necessary as, after a deceptively slow start, Sutherland as "The Needle" very callously disposes of his landlady, thus exposing himself as ze German agent. Moments thereafter, another character, played by Christopfer Cazenove, drives off the road, losing the use of his legs as a result. So much for a slow start.

Director Richard Marquand is very meticulously building the feeling that our allied friends are closing in on The Needle. First by random chance, later by increased effort.  

The flow of the film is at times rather slow, as older spy-movies tend to be, portraying the patience good agents must employ. I rather like authenticity and Ken Follett's script surely provides a fine basis in that regard. It adds to the realism that all of Sutherland's kills are most quiet and efficient. 

Another thing that tends to be true for older films, the plot is quite clever. Which is the case for this film as well, though it loses itself in that respect after about an hour.

Sutherland is delectable as always. A quiet, cautious and frighteningly calm character when amongst those who know his true mission, and a jovial, friendly and chatty man when interacting with the general public. Shifting in a heartbeat if necessary. Smart move by the director as it adds tension even to the most friendly of dialogues and warmest of smiles. 

About halfway in, the film changes from a classic spy-thriller to more of a psychological thriller. This development allows Sutherland to revel even further, as his interactions with Kate Nelligan are exquisite down to the finest detail, as The Needle takes full advantage of the lonely and depressed housewife with the bitter and loveless husband (aforementioned Cazenove).

So the plot is great, though underused, the tension is superb most of the time and the acting is wonderful. My problem is with the script as a whole. The film doesn't seem to quite know what it is trying to be, as the ending undermines the plot and buildup. 

Still, there are more than enough qualities here to make it worthwhile.

7/10

The Bridge at Remagen (1969)

There's something pure about war movies made before all special effects were CGI. Not very environmental, though. So many gasoline bombs...

The premise is quite simple: Ze Germans are to destroy a bridge to prevent the allied forces from crossing the Rhine and setting foot on German soil. 

The build-up is slow and doesn't always seem to have much of a point to it. The problem is that while some films have done a great job portraying the tediousness and waiting games of war, this doesn't really do that either. Things just seem to happen here and there to fill the time, not really relevant to the plot as it is, nor to any visible development of the characters. 

Ze German officers are portrayed as weary and realistic, which was a nice change of pace at this point. Robert Vaughn and Peter van Eyck provide us with very nice American nazis. The former's desperation and disbelief as to the chaos created by Hitler's refusal to accept defeat, and his generals' subsequent failure to report a truthful and correct number of troops, growing throughout. In itself, this film gives a very interesting insight into that particular area.

None are as weary and cynical as George Segal, however. A gruff, but effective man, regularly promoted by the untimely deaths of others. Segal even looks tired in his motions, and his patience is growing thinner as we move towards the climax. His lack of trust towards the excellent and irreverent Ben Gazzara the best chemistry on screen. 

"The Bridge at Remagen" does have it subtle point eventually, as we can feel the fatigue and hopelessness on both sides as we (literally) crawl towards the end. 

So it's not a classic, and not among the best war movies of its time either. It lacks a bit both in suspense, story (apart from the plot itself) and characters. But it's a decent flick, and has marvellous performance by aforementioned Segal and Vaughn. So not bad either

6/10