Genres
Crime, Drama, Romance
Director
Tony Scott
Country
USA
Cast
Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Michael Rapaport, Bronson Pinchot, Saul Rubinek, Dennis Hopper, James Gandolfini, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Michael Beach, Brad Pitt, Val Kilmer, Samuel L. Jackson, Conchata Ferrell, Anna Thomson, Ed Lauter
Storyline
Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) falls in love with a hooker (Patricia Arquette) and marries her. Later on, he accidentally takes a suitcase full of cocaine from her pimp (Gary Oldman) so they decide to run to LA and live happily ever after. What they don't know is that Sicilian mafia is after them.
Entirely written by Quentin Tarantino - although the original script had a different ending -, the story is fantastic. Sure, it's some sort of Bonnie and Clyde meets a drug-related crime film and it's surreal and completely unbelievable - especially the ending -, but it's also incredibly gripping, enjoyable and entertaining. And let's not forget how unpredictable it is.
Still, the story is easily the weakest part of the script as it is overshadowed by a lot of unbelievable, colourful, interesting and memorable characters. First up is Christian Slater's Clarence and his cocky smile on his face you can't help but love. It's probably because that's the kind of character Tarantino would play himself. Then there's Patricia Arquette's Alabama, the hooker Clarence marries, a very sweet and courageous young woman. Both Slater and Arquette give great performances and they share a good chemistry. However, the supporting characters and the actors playing them completely steal the scene. Gary Oldman nails the psycho Drexl, Dennis Hopper is terrific as Clarence's father, and Christopher Walken is fantastic as the mobster who's after Clarence.
Which brings me to the most interesting and memorable scenes of True Romance. The first is a brilliant confrontation/sort of battle between Clarence and Drexl; then there's the Walken-Hopper epic dialogue - that's when you can really tell Tarantino wrote it; finally, there's the Arquette-Gandolfini battle - that's when we finally see what a strong woman Alabama is.
The direction is also great - although I feel like it would have been better if Tarantino directed it himself. And lastly, the magnificent score by Hans Zimmer. It fits the film to perfection and gives it the right harmony.
Opinion
As the huge Tarantino fan I am, the least I could do is be ashamed of myself for watching True Romance only now. As the movie lover I am, I should be ashamed of myself for watching it only now because this movie is absolutely brilliant.Entirely written by Quentin Tarantino - although the original script had a different ending -, the story is fantastic. Sure, it's some sort of Bonnie and Clyde meets a drug-related crime film and it's surreal and completely unbelievable - especially the ending -, but it's also incredibly gripping, enjoyable and entertaining. And let's not forget how unpredictable it is.
Still, the story is easily the weakest part of the script as it is overshadowed by a lot of unbelievable, colourful, interesting and memorable characters. First up is Christian Slater's Clarence and his cocky smile on his face you can't help but love. It's probably because that's the kind of character Tarantino would play himself. Then there's Patricia Arquette's Alabama, the hooker Clarence marries, a very sweet and courageous young woman. Both Slater and Arquette give great performances and they share a good chemistry. However, the supporting characters and the actors playing them completely steal the scene. Gary Oldman nails the psycho Drexl, Dennis Hopper is terrific as Clarence's father, and Christopher Walken is fantastic as the mobster who's after Clarence.Which brings me to the most interesting and memorable scenes of True Romance. The first is a brilliant confrontation/sort of battle between Clarence and Drexl; then there's the Walken-Hopper epic dialogue - that's when you can really tell Tarantino wrote it; finally, there's the Arquette-Gandolfini battle - that's when we finally see what a strong woman Alabama is.
The direction is also great - although I feel like it would have been better if Tarantino directed it himself. And lastly, the magnificent score by Hans Zimmer. It fits the film to perfection and gives it the right harmony.
I'm with you all the way on this one. It's a brilliant film with great writing and possibly even greater acting.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been perfect if Tarantino directed it imo.
DeleteI have seen True Romance 1993 many times and I can say this film is a celeb - a showcase of Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino celebrating their cinematographic talent. Thank your review so much :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading it :)
Delete