104 in 2009 Week 5: Johnny Handsome and Noises Off. . .

Once again, meeting but not exceeding expectations.

Johnny Handsome
Walter Hill, 1989

Johnny Handsome is a middling modern noir, redeemed partially by Mickey Rourke’s performance as the titular character. The movie looks typical late-80’s cheap, although there were enough inventive lighting setups to make me think it may just be the horrible, horrible cheap pan’n’scan transfer on the DVD that makes it look cheap. The broad strokes of the story – criminal tries to make a new life for himself, but can’t escape the vengeance and violence at his core – are sound enough, if a bit shopworn, but the details are not particularly compelling. To the degree that it is worth watching, it’s worth it for for Rourke or, to a lesser degree, Lance Henrikson and Morgan Freeman. Quite disappointing overall.

3/10





Noises Off. . .
Peter Bogdanovich, 1992

Noises Off is kind of an inconsistent movie. When it’s on, it’s really on, but it can be rather terrible at times. The beginning is very rough going, filled with bland narration by Michael Caine and an onslaught of typically overwritten stage comedy dialogue. Things start to improve very quickly after that, though, and by the time we hit the absolutely brilliant second act, everyone is firing on all thrusters. The third act can’t live up to the second, despite some inspired gags, but is still very strong. After that, though, a good chunk of the good will that has been earned throughout the movie is thrown away on a terrible “everyone lived happily ever after” ending (which was not, apparently, part of the original play). Speaking of the original play, Noises Off doesn’t even attempt to hide its theatrical origins, and while the translation is sound (other than that tacked-on ending), it would clearly be a much more impressive production if seen on stage. Still, even in movie form, it’s a great way to spend two hours.

7.5/10

Progress: 11 (Par+1)