Anthony Hopkins may be busy building Western-themed amusement parks in “Westworld,” but before he became Dr. Ford he was helping an FBI agent solve a a series of homicides in “Solace.” Lionsgate Premiere released the latest trailer for the psychological drama, which features Hopkins trying to get inside the killer’s mind.
Directed by Afonso Poyart, the thriller follows FBI Special Agent Joe Merriwether (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) after he enlists his former colleague Dr. John Clancy (Hopkins), a retired physician with physic powers, to help him track down a murderer. At first Clancy, who left his old life behind after the death of his daughter and subsequent break-up of his marriage, wants nothing to do with the case. He then changes his mind after seeing a disturbingly violent vision, which leads him to suspect Charles Ambrose (Colin Farrell). Though he soon realizes is that his abilities are no match against the killer.
Directed by Afonso Poyart, the thriller follows FBI Special Agent Joe Merriwether (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) after he enlists his former colleague Dr. John Clancy (Hopkins), a retired physician with physic powers, to help him track down a murderer. At first Clancy, who left his old life behind after the death of his daughter and subsequent break-up of his marriage, wants nothing to do with the case. He then changes his mind after seeing a disturbingly violent vision, which leads him to suspect Charles Ambrose (Colin Farrell). Though he soon realizes is that his abilities are no match against the killer.
- 11/10/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
The Hollywood Reporter landed the very first still from Solace featuring "Supernatural" alumnus Jeffrey Dean Morgan along with Anthony Hopkins front and center. Check it out!
Colin Farrell also stars. Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) directs. Solace was written by Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
The story centers on a former doctor with psychic abilities (Hopkins) who is drawn into a serial-killer case, only to find that the killer (Farrell) is a psychic as well - so the two men can detect each other's moves. Morgan is playing a veteran FBI agent heading the investigation of a series of grisly murders. He recruits Hopkins' character to help catch the killer.
Look for more soon.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Colin Farrell also stars. Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) directs. Solace was written by Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
The story centers on a former doctor with psychic abilities (Hopkins) who is drawn into a serial-killer case, only to find that the killer (Farrell) is a psychic as well - so the two men can detect each other's moves. Morgan is playing a veteran FBI agent heading the investigation of a series of grisly murders. He recruits Hopkins' character to help catch the killer.
Look for more soon.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
- 7/11/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Abbie Cornish has joined the cast of Afonso Poyart's Solace , Variety reports. She joins Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the thriller. The New Line Cinema project deals with a clairvoyant doctor, John Clancy (Hopkins), who is enlisted by the police to help catch a serial killer. Cornish recently starred opposite Farrell in Seven Psychopaths . She can be seen coming up in Jose Padilha's RoboCop . Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm are producing alongside Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger from a script by Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt and Peter Morgan. (Photo Credit: Mr. Blue / WENN.com)...
- 4/11/2013
- Comingsoon.net
More casting news has hit the interwebs for the long talked about flick Solace as "Supernatural" alumnus Jeffrey Dean Morgan has joined the previously announced Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell.
Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) will direct the production, which is on schedule to begin in May. Solace was written by Sean Bailey (currently president of production at Disney), Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
The story centers on a former doctor with psychic abilities (Hopkins) who is drawn into a serial-killer case, only to find that the killer (Farrell) is a psychic as well - so the two men can detect each other's moves. Morgan is playing a veteran FBI agent heading the investigation of a series of grisly murders.
Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) will direct the production, which is on schedule to begin in May. Solace was written by Sean Bailey (currently president of production at Disney), Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
The story centers on a former doctor with psychic abilities (Hopkins) who is drawn into a serial-killer case, only to find that the killer (Farrell) is a psychic as well - so the two men can detect each other's moves. Morgan is playing a veteran FBI agent heading the investigation of a series of grisly murders.
- 3/4/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is the latest name to join the cast of Afonso Poyart's Solace , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . He joins Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell in the supernatural thriller. The New Line Cinema project deals with a clairvoyant doctor, John Clancy (Hopkins), who is enlisted by the police to help catch a serial killer. Morgan would play an FBI Agent that winds up working alongside Clancy. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm are producing alongside Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger from a script by Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt and Peter Morgan. Morgan, best known for roles in films like Watchmen and The Losers , is currently the lead on Starz's "Magic City." (Photo Credit: Apega / WENN.com)...
- 3/4/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Solace is a project that's been kicking around for well over a year now (we last spoke of it in September 2011), but with the European Film Market looming, things are heating up with Colin Farrell eying a lead role.
Per Deadline, Farrell is closing a deal to star with Anthony Hopkins in the supernatural thriller that Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) will direct with production to begin in May. The film will be sold at Berlin by FilmNation’s Glen Basner, and domestic distribution rights are also up for grabs and are being repped by UTA.
Solace was written by Sean Bailey (currently president of production at Disney), Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
It tells the tale of an...
Per Deadline, Farrell is closing a deal to star with Anthony Hopkins in the supernatural thriller that Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) will direct with production to begin in May. The film will be sold at Berlin by FilmNation’s Glen Basner, and domestic distribution rights are also up for grabs and are being repped by UTA.
Solace was written by Sean Bailey (currently president of production at Disney), Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt, and Peter Morgan. It originated at New Line but never came together so producers Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson, and Matthias Emcke got it back and obtained financing through Claudia Blumheuber’s Silver Reel.
It tells the tale of an...
- 2/4/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Exclusive: Colin Farrell is closing a deal to star with Anthony Hopkins in Solace, the supernatural thriller that Afonso Poyart (Two Rabbits) will direct with production to begin in May. The film will be sold at Berlin by FilmNation’s Glen Basner, and domestic distribution rights are also up for grabs and are being repped by UTA. The film’s scripted by Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt and Peter Morgan. It has percolating long enough that the film’s first credited writer, Bailey, is currently president of production at Disney. The film originated at New Line but never came together quite right, and producers Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo, Tripp Vinson and Thomas Augsberger. Flynn finally got it back and got the financing through Claudia Bluemhuber’s Silver Reel. Matthias Emcke is exec producer with Bluemhuber, Gerd Scheppers and Jacob Pechenik. An FBI detective seeks the help of a retired and reclusive doctor,...
- 2/4/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Colin Farrell has signed on to star opposite the previously announced Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming thriller Solace , Deadline reports. Originally announced for development in 2008 with Mark Pellington ( The Mothman Prophecies , Arlington Road ) directing, the New Line Cinema project deals with a clairvoyant doctor who is enlisted by the police to help catch a serial killer. Hopkins would play the doctor, John Clancy. Pellington is no longer attached, but Afonso Poyart will take over as director. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm are still producing alongside Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger. When the project was originally announced, the script had been written by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin with rewrites by James Vanderbilt. It has since been rewritten...
- 2/4/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Colin Farrell has boarded Alfonso Poyart's Solace supernatural thriller where he joins Anthony Hopkins. Deadline reports taht the film is being sold at Berline by Glen Basner of FilmNation, with domestic distribution rights up for the taking. Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt and Peter Morgan script the film where an FBI agent looks for help from a retired, reclusive doctor in order to solve a series of brutal murders. The doctor was top at his game but lost his drive after his daughter died tragically. No, Farrell isn't the FBI agent, he's the killer and of course Hopkins is the doctor. The FBI agent has to be cast. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson produce alongside Matthias Emcke.
- 2/4/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Colin Farrell has boarded Alfonso Poyart's Solace supernatural thriller where he joins Anthony Hopkins. Deadline reports taht the film is being sold at Berline by Glen Basner of FilmNation, with domestic distribution rights up for the taking. Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin, James Vanderbilt and Peter Morgan script the film where an FBI agent looks for help from a retired, reclusive doctor in order to solve a series of brutal murders. The doctor was top at his game but lost his drive after his daughter died tragically. No, Farrell isn't the FBI agent, he's the killer and of course Hopkins is the doctor. The FBI agent has to be cast. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson produce alongside Matthias Emcke.
- 2/4/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
New Line Cinema is moving foward with the supernatural tale Solace , featuring Anthony Hopkins in the lead. Today, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Brazilian director Afonso Poyart is in talks to direct. Originally announced for development in 2008 with Mark Pellington ( The Mothman Prophecies , Arlington Road ) directing, the project deals with a clairvoyant doctor who is enlisted by the police to help catch a serial killer. Hopkins will play the doctor, John Clancy. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm are producing alongside Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger. When the project was originally announced, the script had been written by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin with rewrites by James Vanderbilt. It has since been rewritten by Peter Morgan. Poyart is best...
- 5/10/2012
- Comingsoon.net
When it comes to being awesome, Anthony Hopkins has got it down. Whether he’s playing the unsettling Hannibal in The Silence Of The Lambs, the all-powerful Odin in Thor, or the honorable Don Diego de la Vega in The Mask Of Zorro, Hopkins usually doesn’t disappoint, which is why it’s a pleasure to relay to you that he is currently in negotiations to star in New Line’s new serial killer film, Solace.
According to Variety, Hopkins’ character – John Clancy – is a former doctor with psychic abilities which he uses to help the FBI track down some sort of unique serial killer.
The project doesn’t have a director attached as of yet, but former Contrafilm partners Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing, while Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger will exec produce.
The original screenplay was written by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffen, but has since...
According to Variety, Hopkins’ character – John Clancy – is a former doctor with psychic abilities which he uses to help the FBI track down some sort of unique serial killer.
The project doesn’t have a director attached as of yet, but former Contrafilm partners Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing, while Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger will exec produce.
The original screenplay was written by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffen, but has since...
- 9/7/2011
- by Barrett
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
For decades Anthony Hopkins has played some truly delicious villains, and now he's jumping to the other side of the fence to try and catch one. Read on for the info!
According to Variety, Hopkins is in final negotiations to star in New Line's serial killer film Solace.
Hopkins will play John Clancy, a former doctor with psychic abilities who works for the FBI and is drawn into a unique serial killer case that pits him against a formidable foe.
Though there's no director attached yet, former Contrafilm partners Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing the elevated genre pic, while Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger (Mr. Brooks) will exec produce.
Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin wrote the original draft of the script, which was then rewritten by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac). Peter Morgan wrote the most recent draft, and production is slated to start early next year.
Look for more soon!
According to Variety, Hopkins is in final negotiations to star in New Line's serial killer film Solace.
Hopkins will play John Clancy, a former doctor with psychic abilities who works for the FBI and is drawn into a unique serial killer case that pits him against a formidable foe.
Though there's no director attached yet, former Contrafilm partners Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing the elevated genre pic, while Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger (Mr. Brooks) will exec produce.
Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin wrote the original draft of the script, which was then rewritten by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac). Peter Morgan wrote the most recent draft, and production is slated to start early next year.
Look for more soon!
- 9/7/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Anthony Hopkins is in final negotiations to headline New Line Cinema's Solace , Variety reports. Originally announced for development in 2008 with Mark Pellington ( The Mothman Prophecies , Arlington Road ) directing, the project deals with a clairvoyant doctor who is enlisted by the police to help catch a serial killer. Hopkins would play the doctor, John Clancy. Pellington is no longer attached, but Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Contrafilm are still producing alongside Matthias Emcke and Thomas Augsberger. When the project was originally announced, the script had been written by Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin with rewrites by James Vanderbilt. It has since been rewritten by Peter Morgan. Hopkins most recently starred in Thor and is likely to reprise his role in some...
- 9/6/2011
- Comingsoon.net
San Francisco's Berlin & Beyond Film Festival would have been the venue where I imagine San Franciscans might have had the opportunity to catch Matthias Emcke's debut feature Phantomschmerz (Phantom pain, 2009); but as that film festival is still reeling from internal upset and has shifted from its January timeslot to (God forbid!) an October one, chances are that Phantom Pain will be one of those movies that will slip through the cracks and recede into memory faster than you can say, "das Naeschsten!" Such are the hazards of international film distribution in a cautious American landscape. (Hopefully, the same will not be said about the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival.)...
- 12/14/2009
- Screen Anarchy
Hnr's Michael Stevens reporting from Toronto... Love And Other Impossible Pursuits, starring actress Natalie Portman, directed by Don Roos, will have its world premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff). Premise of Love, adapting author Ayelet Waldman's novel, follows a newlywed Harvard Law School grad's attempt to connect with her new stepson. Other Galas include writer/director Rodrigo Garcia's Mother and Child starring Annette Bening, Naomi Watts and Kerry Washington, Carlos Saura's I, Don Giovanni, Matthias Emcke's Phantom Pain, Jan Kounen's Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky and Alejandro Amenabar's "Agora". The Joneses starring Demi Moore, directed by Derrick Borte screens in Special Presentations, as well as Christian Carion's L'Affaire Farewell, Dev Benegal's Road Movie, Claire McCarthy's The Waiting City, Giuseppe Tornatore's Baaria and He Ping's Wheat. Special Presentations will also include the North American premieres of John Hillcoat's The Road,...
- 8/14/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Yes there are other films we're excited to see in this final Tiff line-up announcement - Alejandro Amenábar's Agora, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done by Werner Herzog - but let's face it the chance to see John Hillcoat's adaptation of the The Road two months early is just so damn cool that we had to give it top billing here.
You can check out the full Galas and Special Presentation line-ups after the break, or learn more about the entire festival over at the official Tiff site.
Galas
Agora Alejandro Amenábar, Spain
North American Premiere
In the fourth century, while Egypt was under the Roman Empire, violent religious upheaval in the streets of Alexandria spills over into the city’s famous library. Trapped inside its walls, the brilliant astronomer Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) and her disciples fight to save the wisdom of the ancient world. Among...
You can check out the full Galas and Special Presentation line-ups after the break, or learn more about the entire festival over at the official Tiff site.
Galas
Agora Alejandro Amenábar, Spain
North American Premiere
In the fourth century, while Egypt was under the Roman Empire, violent religious upheaval in the streets of Alexandria spills over into the city’s famous library. Trapped inside its walls, the brilliant astronomer Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) and her disciples fight to save the wisdom of the ancient world. Among...
- 8/13/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Toronto -- Mark Pellington has signed to direct "Solace," a mystery thriller for New Line.
Contrafilm's Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson, who were behind the New Line/Walden sleeper hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth," are producing.
The story revolves around a former doctor with psychic abilities who is drawn into a serial killer case only to find that the killer also is a psychic, leading to a showdown between the two who can detect each other's every move.
Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin wrote the initial script, which was revised by Jamie Vanderbilt ("Zodiac").
Matthias Emcke also is producing.
Richard Brener and Michael Disco will oversee production for the company.
Pellington, who made a name for himself in the music video world before making the transition to features, last directed "Henry Poole Is Here" and the concert film "U2 3D."
Pellington, repped by UTA and 3 Arts, also...
Contrafilm's Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson, who were behind the New Line/Walden sleeper hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth," are producing.
The story revolves around a former doctor with psychic abilities who is drawn into a serial killer case only to find that the killer also is a psychic, leading to a showdown between the two who can detect each other's every move.
Sean Bailey and Ted Griffin wrote the initial script, which was revised by Jamie Vanderbilt ("Zodiac").
Matthias Emcke also is producing.
Richard Brener and Michael Disco will oversee production for the company.
Pellington, who made a name for himself in the music video world before making the transition to features, last directed "Henry Poole Is Here" and the concert film "U2 3D."
Pellington, repped by UTA and 3 Arts, also...
- 9/4/2008
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shekhar Kapur has signed to direct the Bruce Willis starrer "Solace" for New Line Cinema. "Solace" tells the tale of a doctor with psychic abilities (Willis) who is enlisted by the police to help track down a serial killer who turns out to have psychic abilities as well. Ted Griffin and Sean Bailey wrote the script. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson produce through their Contrafilm label along with Matthias Emcke. Toby Emmerich and Richard Brener will oversee for the studio. Kapur directed "Elizabeth", which earned him a Golden Globe best director nomination and a David Lean Award for direction at the BAFAs. He also directed 2002's "The Four Feathers". He is repped by CAA.
- 3/17/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film review: 'Judas Kiss' Night of the Kissing 'Judas' /New Orleans crime noir flick marches smartly
In addition to betrayal, "Judas Kiss" is packed with decadence, treachery, kinky sex and malfeasance. It's a hard noir-thriller, as twisted as a Jim Thompson tale, and it should lock in solid appreciation for fans of the genre as well as those who like their entertainment with a sharp, sardonic edge.
Lurid and labyrinthian, the tale is aptly set in modern-day New Orleans, where a small-time band of perps sets out to kidnap a wealthy computer mogul (Greg Wise). The venture criminals in this tawdry case include sex-crazed lovers Junior (Simon Baker-Denny) and Coco (Carla Gugino), a freaky techie, Lizard (Gil Bellows), and a hotheaded strong-arm named Ruben (Til Schweiger). During the crime in which they bag-and-gag their victim, there's a snag: Coco shoots a woman who appears unexpectedly at the scene. Unfortunately for our gang of four, the woman that Coco has plugged happens to be the wife of a U.S. senator. The heat, locals and feds, is on.
For the locals, there's reluctant detective Friedman (Alan Rickman), and for the feds, there's eat-nails-for-breakfast agent Hawkins (Emma Thompson).
As expected, cooperation between federal and local is not without its burrs, but in this squalid case the duo seem to be cut out of the same cloth: Both are insomniacs, both are Thompson aficionados and both are living alone, not contentedly. In short, they're attracted to each other, though neither will openly admit it. They banter, each winning points and, all the while, winning each other's admiration.
Writer-director Sebastian Gutierrez has carved out a bright and inventive piece of genre fare, a lethal noir thriller with all the complexity, ambiguity and amorality of a down-and-dirty pulper. It's a dicey tale, combustively intercut between the youthful criminals and the middle-aged lawfolk.
On the criminal side, all things sizzle, while on the enforcement side, we see they tend to percolate. Gutierrez has created credible characters, from crazies to cruddies. Admittedly, we sorts who have come to fritter away too much time wading through noir writers will spot the ultimate baddest guy right off. Still, Gutierrez's take on noir is juicy and jagged -- highly entertaining and involving.
The performances are dead-on, beginning with Rickman, whose weary-alchy turn as the detective is perfectly weathered. With her hot Southern twang, Thompson steps out of her carriage onto the mean streets with spicy aplomb.
On the bad side, Gugino is outstanding as the small-town girl with steamy ambitions, and Baker-Denny is well-cast as her manic mentor. As Lizard, Bellows is appropriately slithery, while Schweiger's hair-trigger turn is positively chilling.
Supporting performances are superb, most prominently the one from Hal Holbrook, who shows an iciness one wouldn't expect. Philip Baker Hall sends shivers into us with his moment as a well-connected goombah.
Technical contributions reek with just the right atmospherics. Cinematographer James Chressanthis' sultry colors and composer Christopher Young's smudgy sounds are just the right sinister tones.
JUDAS KISS
Key Entertainment
in association with Bandeira Entertainment
A Flynn/Simchowitz production
Credits: Producers: Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz, Jonathan King; Screenwriter, director: Sebastian Gutierrez; Story: Sebastian Gutierrez, Deanna Fuller; Executive producers: Matthias Emcke, Thomas Augsberger, Molly Madden, Daniel Rappaport; Co-producers: Carla Gugino, Elaine Dysinger; Director of photography: James Chressanthis; Production designer: Jerry Fleming; Editor: Howard Smith; Costume designer: Denise Wingate; Music: Christopher Young; Music supervisors: Sonya Chang, Lynn Geller; Casting: Nancy Mayor. Cast: Sadie Hawkins: Emma Thompson; Dave Friedman: Alan Rickman; Coco: Carla Gugino; Junior Armstrong: Simon Baker-Denny; Ruben: Til Schweiger; Lizard: Gil Bellows; Ben Dyson: Greg Wise; Senator Hornbeck: Hal Holbrook; Poppy Malavero: Philip Baker Hall. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 98 minutes.
Lurid and labyrinthian, the tale is aptly set in modern-day New Orleans, where a small-time band of perps sets out to kidnap a wealthy computer mogul (Greg Wise). The venture criminals in this tawdry case include sex-crazed lovers Junior (Simon Baker-Denny) and Coco (Carla Gugino), a freaky techie, Lizard (Gil Bellows), and a hotheaded strong-arm named Ruben (Til Schweiger). During the crime in which they bag-and-gag their victim, there's a snag: Coco shoots a woman who appears unexpectedly at the scene. Unfortunately for our gang of four, the woman that Coco has plugged happens to be the wife of a U.S. senator. The heat, locals and feds, is on.
For the locals, there's reluctant detective Friedman (Alan Rickman), and for the feds, there's eat-nails-for-breakfast agent Hawkins (Emma Thompson).
As expected, cooperation between federal and local is not without its burrs, but in this squalid case the duo seem to be cut out of the same cloth: Both are insomniacs, both are Thompson aficionados and both are living alone, not contentedly. In short, they're attracted to each other, though neither will openly admit it. They banter, each winning points and, all the while, winning each other's admiration.
Writer-director Sebastian Gutierrez has carved out a bright and inventive piece of genre fare, a lethal noir thriller with all the complexity, ambiguity and amorality of a down-and-dirty pulper. It's a dicey tale, combustively intercut between the youthful criminals and the middle-aged lawfolk.
On the criminal side, all things sizzle, while on the enforcement side, we see they tend to percolate. Gutierrez has created credible characters, from crazies to cruddies. Admittedly, we sorts who have come to fritter away too much time wading through noir writers will spot the ultimate baddest guy right off. Still, Gutierrez's take on noir is juicy and jagged -- highly entertaining and involving.
The performances are dead-on, beginning with Rickman, whose weary-alchy turn as the detective is perfectly weathered. With her hot Southern twang, Thompson steps out of her carriage onto the mean streets with spicy aplomb.
On the bad side, Gugino is outstanding as the small-town girl with steamy ambitions, and Baker-Denny is well-cast as her manic mentor. As Lizard, Bellows is appropriately slithery, while Schweiger's hair-trigger turn is positively chilling.
Supporting performances are superb, most prominently the one from Hal Holbrook, who shows an iciness one wouldn't expect. Philip Baker Hall sends shivers into us with his moment as a well-connected goombah.
Technical contributions reek with just the right atmospherics. Cinematographer James Chressanthis' sultry colors and composer Christopher Young's smudgy sounds are just the right sinister tones.
JUDAS KISS
Key Entertainment
in association with Bandeira Entertainment
A Flynn/Simchowitz production
Credits: Producers: Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz, Jonathan King; Screenwriter, director: Sebastian Gutierrez; Story: Sebastian Gutierrez, Deanna Fuller; Executive producers: Matthias Emcke, Thomas Augsberger, Molly Madden, Daniel Rappaport; Co-producers: Carla Gugino, Elaine Dysinger; Director of photography: James Chressanthis; Production designer: Jerry Fleming; Editor: Howard Smith; Costume designer: Denise Wingate; Music: Christopher Young; Music supervisors: Sonya Chang, Lynn Geller; Casting: Nancy Mayor. Cast: Sadie Hawkins: Emma Thompson; Dave Friedman: Alan Rickman; Coco: Carla Gugino; Junior Armstrong: Simon Baker-Denny; Ruben: Til Schweiger; Lizard: Gil Bellows; Ben Dyson: Greg Wise; Senator Hornbeck: Hal Holbrook; Poppy Malavero: Philip Baker Hall. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 98 minutes.
- 9/22/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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