I watched PHOENIX (1998), originally a film made for cable
TV, that is well above average. With a rather conventional
beginning of the plot: cop with gambling addiction,
corruption... etc, this film succeeds in keeping the viewer
interested and by using a "double twisted" ending of the
story showing some fresh approach. Noir, HB, grim, well
acted, very good cinematography... IMHO a far better film
than the poor reviews it received when released. Director:
Danny Cannon Leading actor: Ray Liotta
Speaking of Liotta I recently saw another film : THE RAT PACK
(1998) An impeccable cast and a script based on some of the
major events that happened to the Sinatra's Rat Pack members.
Surprisingly good and interesting, even within the self
imposed limits of the film (its length cannot account for
every details of this saga, of course, and it had to hold the
interest of a general audience). Not too many concessions to
the hagiography of the public figures involved, even if it's
not a real analysis of Sinatra's ambitions and
manipulations
(nicknamed by the US secret services: Napoleon!).
Ellroy's "foreword" for his 'American Tabloid'(that
covers part of the same period of US history), is a good
complement to the film and came to my mind after having seen
it:
"America was never innocent. .../... The real Trinity of
Camelot was Look Good, Kick Ass, Get Laid. Jack Kennedy was
the mythological front man for a particularly juicy slice of
our history. He talked a slick line and wore a world-class
haircut. He was Bill Clinton minus pervasive media scrutiny
and a few rolls of flab. Jack got whacked at the optimum
moment to assure his sainthood. Lies continue to swirl around
his eternal flame. It's time to dislodge his urn and cast
light on a few men who attended his ascent and facilitated
his fall. They were rogue cops and shakedown artists. They
were wire-tappers and soldiers of fortune and faggot lounge
entertainers. Had one second of their lives deviated off
course, American History would not exist as we know it.
.../..."
E.Borgers HARD-BOILED MYSTERIES http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
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