41 reviews
Interesting plot, average entertainment, with an excellent Hackman performance.
I'm a huge Gene Hackman fan and I remembered seeing this film many years ago and thinking it was quite cool, and when I saw the title in the paper again, I thought I would find out how right I was.
Well Hackman is once again excellent. He has such a natural and believable way about him in his roles that I find it hard not to be drawn into his character. He's definitely one of those actors who always plays himself, but it doesn't matter as his ability and style just carry it off without a thought. A truly great actor in my mind.
Matt Dillon is also very good, although his younger trademark look of startled deer is ever present.
The plot itself is a good one, in that Hackman plays Dillons father, a boring and very dull man with an equally dull job, in his sons eyes anyway. What quickly transpires is that he is not the speed limit sticking man that his son first thought, he is actually a ex CIA agent.
This change is done very well, with a short set piece in an airport. With the smallest of physical changes, Hackman flips from average father to confident and action ready agent. You can see it in his manner, and it shows his excellent capability as an actor.
The rest of the movie reveals the story as father and son are pulled deeper and deeper into his life, revealing the true extent of his agent activities. His son quickly realises that this is not the father he knew, and quickly grows from off-handedness to total rejection and then to acceptance again.
It is an interesting movie, and the plot is quite good with some interesting action sequences. Where it fails are some of the other actors and the hectic pace of the movie, it seems as though either in filming or editing that crucial parts of the movie have been missed or removed.
Big shame, but it is still good to watch for a Sunday afternoon movie. I think this may kick off my <i>watch every Gene Hackman movie</i> campaign.
Well Hackman is once again excellent. He has such a natural and believable way about him in his roles that I find it hard not to be drawn into his character. He's definitely one of those actors who always plays himself, but it doesn't matter as his ability and style just carry it off without a thought. A truly great actor in my mind.
Matt Dillon is also very good, although his younger trademark look of startled deer is ever present.
The plot itself is a good one, in that Hackman plays Dillons father, a boring and very dull man with an equally dull job, in his sons eyes anyway. What quickly transpires is that he is not the speed limit sticking man that his son first thought, he is actually a ex CIA agent.
This change is done very well, with a short set piece in an airport. With the smallest of physical changes, Hackman flips from average father to confident and action ready agent. You can see it in his manner, and it shows his excellent capability as an actor.
The rest of the movie reveals the story as father and son are pulled deeper and deeper into his life, revealing the true extent of his agent activities. His son quickly realises that this is not the father he knew, and quickly grows from off-handedness to total rejection and then to acceptance again.
It is an interesting movie, and the plot is quite good with some interesting action sequences. Where it fails are some of the other actors and the hectic pace of the movie, it seems as though either in filming or editing that crucial parts of the movie have been missed or removed.
Big shame, but it is still good to watch for a Sunday afternoon movie. I think this may kick off my <i>watch every Gene Hackman movie</i> campaign.
- PyrolyticCarbon
- Nov 7, 2004
- Permalink
Deserves more credit
This movie is often dismissed as just an average Cold War spy flick. But in fact it is quite a bit more than that. It can well hold its own, thanks to the solid direction and first-rate performances by Hackman and Dillon.
These two never disappoint and seem to have had fun working together. They relaxedly fill in all the little character incongruities.
The story is interesting, but could have used much more exact local detail instead of this chain of insipid cutouts from travel brochures. The locals, but also the spies talk and behave like cardboard figures and tend to lessen the atmosphere a little. The same goes for a lot of the locations.
Recommended for fans of Dillon and Hackman, but also for those of you who like a solid spy movie.
These two never disappoint and seem to have had fun working together. They relaxedly fill in all the little character incongruities.
The story is interesting, but could have used much more exact local detail instead of this chain of insipid cutouts from travel brochures. The locals, but also the spies talk and behave like cardboard figures and tend to lessen the atmosphere a little. The same goes for a lot of the locations.
Recommended for fans of Dillon and Hackman, but also for those of you who like a solid spy movie.
Formula but still exciting
OK; it IS a bit trite, but still an edge-of-the-seater nonetheless. Surprises galore to keep your imagination occupied, though thriller buffs will predict most of them. I found that part of the fun: keeping score of how many "surprises" i anticipated. Still, the denouement packs punch and satisfies. Great performances by most of the cast, esp. Hackman, who always has that knack of being 'perfect' for the part, doesn't he? and Damon, very apt in this early role. The art direction is superb, the location shooting very convincing. If you like thrillers/whoodunits you WILL be entertained. I gave it only a 7 because reading Sartre is probably a better use of two hours....
Dear old Dad? MY dear old Dad?!
The performances of Matt Dillon and Gene Hackman brought this film right over the top for me.
Dillon's character grows from being an obnoxious teenager, who sees Dad as an un-hip set of car keys with a hand attached to them, through the astonishing realization that Dad just may be "James Bond".
And Gene Hackman brings his blazing talent to the table, unfolding from a middle-aged, pokey, conservative, 35-mile-an-hour, aw-shucks businessman into a multilingual, multitalented super-spook.
The two interact perfectly! As they face dangers and intrigue together in a wild ride across the globe to save Mom, it is a delight to see them discover and appreciate the depths of each others' characters and become friends and partners.
"Saving Mom", was almost irrelevant!
Dillon's character grows from being an obnoxious teenager, who sees Dad as an un-hip set of car keys with a hand attached to them, through the astonishing realization that Dad just may be "James Bond".
And Gene Hackman brings his blazing talent to the table, unfolding from a middle-aged, pokey, conservative, 35-mile-an-hour, aw-shucks businessman into a multilingual, multitalented super-spook.
The two interact perfectly! As they face dangers and intrigue together in a wild ride across the globe to save Mom, it is a delight to see them discover and appreciate the depths of each others' characters and become friends and partners.
"Saving Mom", was almost irrelevant!
- Oldsport57
- Jul 15, 2004
- Permalink
average thriller
From 1985: "Target," directed by Arthur Penn, stars Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon as father and son.
"Target" concerns the abduction of Walter Lloyd's (Hackman) wife while she is in France with a tour group. Lloyd understands the implications immediately, but his son Chris (Matt Dillon) doesn't: Someone is after Lloyd, or information in his possession. Father and son leave immediately for Europe to find her. There, Chris learns information about his father that he never knew. And that's all I can say without giving the game away - which, if you've seen a lot of these films, is pretty apparent.
The problem with "Target" is in the beginning of the film, which has a TV-movie feel to it. Plus, despite locations in Paris and Germany later on, the beginning has a cheap feel to it due to the music and credits, not to mention some trite dialogue and the usual "try to get to know your son while I'm away" speech. It's a bad set-up.
Gene Hackman is terrific as Walter, and Matt Dillon is fine as his son. The standout performance, in my opinion, is by the great acting guru and Broadway star Herbert Berghof in a rare film appearance toward the end of the movie. There are some excellent European actors as well, including the Russian actress Viktoriya Fyodorova.
If not for the beginning, which threw me off, this would have been a better film.
"Target" concerns the abduction of Walter Lloyd's (Hackman) wife while she is in France with a tour group. Lloyd understands the implications immediately, but his son Chris (Matt Dillon) doesn't: Someone is after Lloyd, or information in his possession. Father and son leave immediately for Europe to find her. There, Chris learns information about his father that he never knew. And that's all I can say without giving the game away - which, if you've seen a lot of these films, is pretty apparent.
The problem with "Target" is in the beginning of the film, which has a TV-movie feel to it. Plus, despite locations in Paris and Germany later on, the beginning has a cheap feel to it due to the music and credits, not to mention some trite dialogue and the usual "try to get to know your son while I'm away" speech. It's a bad set-up.
Gene Hackman is terrific as Walter, and Matt Dillon is fine as his son. The standout performance, in my opinion, is by the great acting guru and Broadway star Herbert Berghof in a rare film appearance toward the end of the movie. There are some excellent European actors as well, including the Russian actress Viktoriya Fyodorova.
If not for the beginning, which threw me off, this would have been a better film.
Car chases car, boat, person, woolly mammoth, etc.
- rmax304823
- Nov 20, 2005
- Permalink
Intelligent spy thriller with obvious ending
Dad was a spy?
For reasons not really explained Gayle Hunnicutt decides to go to Europe on her
own, leaving husband and son somewhat at sea. But when Gene Hackman and
Matt Dillon get a call from the French Consulate that Hunnicutt has gone missing
from her tour group.
Hackman is a middle class conservative person who is rather staid and boring. Among those who see him that way is his son. But Dillon gets the shock of his young life when he finds out that Hackman was in the CIA and that he has been living like he was in witness protection program.
And Hackman hasn't slowed up a bit. He still has the moves and the instincts. But the puzzle is that they're seem to be two groups, one who has the wife and one who wants to kill him. A puzzlement.
Hackman, Hunnicutt, and Dillon cast as a good family unit. They are given good support by the rest of the cast. I think you will figure out early on who is the bad guy.
Nice location cinematography in France and Germany. Pace of the film is also good. You will like it.
Hackman is a middle class conservative person who is rather staid and boring. Among those who see him that way is his son. But Dillon gets the shock of his young life when he finds out that Hackman was in the CIA and that he has been living like he was in witness protection program.
And Hackman hasn't slowed up a bit. He still has the moves and the instincts. But the puzzle is that they're seem to be two groups, one who has the wife and one who wants to kill him. A puzzlement.
Hackman, Hunnicutt, and Dillon cast as a good family unit. They are given good support by the rest of the cast. I think you will figure out early on who is the bad guy.
Nice location cinematography in France and Germany. Pace of the film is also good. You will like it.
- bkoganbing
- Sep 19, 2019
- Permalink
Action packed and funny
When Gene Hackman is unmasked by his son, played by Matt Dillon, that he is a former CIA agent he suddenly has a different view of his father. Hackman has to trace down his kidnapped wife and Dillon comes along for the ride. Hackman and Dillon make a good and sometimes funny team as father and son. This movie doesn't seem to be known very well, but it deserves a fair shake just like any other movie. It isn't the best movie in the world, but it isn't the worst movie either. If any one actually gets on this page and reads this comment I suggest they go find this movie to rent and see what I'm talking about.
Target
- Scarecrow-88
- Nov 23, 2007
- Permalink
Much To Do About Nothing
Missed seeing this film over the years as I am a big fan of Gene Hackman, (Walter Llyod/Duke Potter),"Absolute Power", who plays the role as the average husband and wife with a son who is not very close to his father at all. Matt Dillon,(Chris Llyod/Derek Potter),"Loverboy", plays the son and Gayle Hunnicutt(Donna Llyod) "Dream Lover", is the wife who tries her very best to get her Walter to become closer to their son Chris. Donna disappears while she is on a tour in a foreign country and then the story gets quite complicated with lots of guns going off and plenty of car chases and great photograph in Germany and France. This film builds you up as you start getting interested and sort of goes down hill real fast. I like Gene Hackman and that is the only reason I decided to finish seeing this film.
One of my all-time faves
I can't add too much that hasn't already been said. A 1985 film, the plot should be familiar to anyone with or without basic cable by now. Where this film shines is in the relationships between the characters and the quality of the acting. Mind you, the plot and action aren't shabby, either, despite some comments here to the contrary.
Perhaps this is merely middle-age fantasy - how many middle aged dads (or moms) haven't had the fantasy of showing their sullen kids how cool they once were and could be again if necessary? I was fortunate not to have any sullen kids (or grandkids), but I've been in this guy's place and I recognized the looks on both faces. (OK, I was never a spy or anything so overtly cool, but I did have my moments.) The point is that there come inevitable times in the relationships between kids and parents when the kids suddenly realize that the old folks may have actually been cool before the kids even knew what cool was all about, and that's the heart of this film.
Contrary to some comments, the plot is quite coherent with only a few holes which I won't elaborate. Some of the carping about plot points I've read here must have come from people lacking in either imagination or comprehension. The action is credible both in its pacing and execution. Not Arthur Penn's best film, but this is as much of an actor's film as a director's film.
The acting is uniformly good, but Hackman holds the center of the film. If he weren't completely believable, the whole effort would fall apart. Matt Dillon gives a very good performance as Hackman's son/foil, but isn't in the same league. The usually reliable Josef Sommer gives a surprisingly weak performance - OK, but not up to his usual work. The late Herbert Berghof (husband of Uta Hagen and co-founder with her of the eponymously named HB acting studio) gives a master class in his portrayal of a truly sympathetic, tortured soul - not much screen time, but a real gem. Another standout is Viktoriya Fyodorova, who offers some of the films most poignant scenes as Hackman's love-who-might-have-been, who devotes herself to helping him and his son find his kidnapped wife.
Highly recommended, but it won't really resonate with the kids...
Perhaps this is merely middle-age fantasy - how many middle aged dads (or moms) haven't had the fantasy of showing their sullen kids how cool they once were and could be again if necessary? I was fortunate not to have any sullen kids (or grandkids), but I've been in this guy's place and I recognized the looks on both faces. (OK, I was never a spy or anything so overtly cool, but I did have my moments.) The point is that there come inevitable times in the relationships between kids and parents when the kids suddenly realize that the old folks may have actually been cool before the kids even knew what cool was all about, and that's the heart of this film.
Contrary to some comments, the plot is quite coherent with only a few holes which I won't elaborate. Some of the carping about plot points I've read here must have come from people lacking in either imagination or comprehension. The action is credible both in its pacing and execution. Not Arthur Penn's best film, but this is as much of an actor's film as a director's film.
The acting is uniformly good, but Hackman holds the center of the film. If he weren't completely believable, the whole effort would fall apart. Matt Dillon gives a very good performance as Hackman's son/foil, but isn't in the same league. The usually reliable Josef Sommer gives a surprisingly weak performance - OK, but not up to his usual work. The late Herbert Berghof (husband of Uta Hagen and co-founder with her of the eponymously named HB acting studio) gives a master class in his portrayal of a truly sympathetic, tortured soul - not much screen time, but a real gem. Another standout is Viktoriya Fyodorova, who offers some of the films most poignant scenes as Hackman's love-who-might-have-been, who devotes herself to helping him and his son find his kidnapped wife.
Highly recommended, but it won't really resonate with the kids...
Not bad
Seems to have been a big influence on Taken (Liam's movie). Enjoyed it. Certainly worth a watch.
- m-farrell369
- Jan 11, 2021
- Permalink
Mommy is a booby-trap - Weird cross-genre effort
This movie is a family drama and a spy thriller at the same time. It is also a comedy that makes some fun of both genres, although I am not sure if that is intentional.
The acting and the direction are quite good, the screenplay and maybe the editing less so. I suppose the main error is the decision to tell the story from the father's and the son's perspective alternatively. I think it would have been much better and thrilling to tell it from the son's entirely (but in that case maybe it would have been impossible to use a big star in the father's role). The viewers become aware of the father's double-identity much earlier than the son in an incident at the airport that is unexpected, weird, outlandish and laughable. I really did not understand what was going on. The effect of surprise was thus given away pretty cheaply. I also think that the whole plot did not really make much sense including the long dewiring of the human bomb mother at the end. Too much remains unexplained.
But on the whole this is nevertheless a quite atmospheric movie with beautiful locations in Paris, France and Germany. The highlight is a chase sequence through the town of Hamburg which involves a small red Fiat car, a Mercedes taxicab and a small, spluttering three-wheel vehicle. Hackman jumps into a canal and Dillon drives the Fiat up some pretty steep flights of stairs. So I do not think I wasted my time entirely.
To any viewer interested in Hackman playing a dad, I can highly recommend the movie Class Action in which a brilliant Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio plays his daughter.
The acting and the direction are quite good, the screenplay and maybe the editing less so. I suppose the main error is the decision to tell the story from the father's and the son's perspective alternatively. I think it would have been much better and thrilling to tell it from the son's entirely (but in that case maybe it would have been impossible to use a big star in the father's role). The viewers become aware of the father's double-identity much earlier than the son in an incident at the airport that is unexpected, weird, outlandish and laughable. I really did not understand what was going on. The effect of surprise was thus given away pretty cheaply. I also think that the whole plot did not really make much sense including the long dewiring of the human bomb mother at the end. Too much remains unexplained.
But on the whole this is nevertheless a quite atmospheric movie with beautiful locations in Paris, France and Germany. The highlight is a chase sequence through the town of Hamburg which involves a small red Fiat car, a Mercedes taxicab and a small, spluttering three-wheel vehicle. Hackman jumps into a canal and Dillon drives the Fiat up some pretty steep flights of stairs. So I do not think I wasted my time entirely.
To any viewer interested in Hackman playing a dad, I can highly recommend the movie Class Action in which a brilliant Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio plays his daughter.
- manuel-pestalozzi
- May 24, 2007
- Permalink
A favorite for many years. Gem. Spoilers.
A so-so action thriller.
A husband / father (Gene Hackman) and his estranged son (Matt Dillon) team up during an eventful trip to Europe. The wife / mom (Gayle Hunnicutt) has disappeared during a solo vacation, and they're determined to find out what has happened and why. They must dodge attempts on their lives as they work to solve this mystery.
A large part of the problem is a not-so-hot script, with its fair share of bad lines. "Don't get funny, get good." But it improves as it progresses, with a stronger second half, and some decent action sequences. (The third and final teaming of Hackman and filmmaker Arthur Penn, after "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Night Moves", certainly promised something more special than this.) Particularly effective are scenes with Hackman and the antagonist once they are revealed. It turns out, they don't have an unsympathetic motivation. Still, the twists here are plenty predictable, which works against whatever fun factor that Penn is able to generate.
Making the difference are the international settings (Germany, France) and the location usage, as well as a typically fine performance by Hackman. The star once again demonstrates his ability to be consistently engaging, whether playing a hero or villain. He and Dillon may not be the most believable father-son duo ever assembled for the movies, but they work together well enough. The supporting cast is just fine, although it must be said that Hunnicutt, as the victim who sets the plot in motion, is by nature of her role largely wasted. Providing able support are character actors Josef Sommer ("Witness"), Guy Boyd ("Body Double"), Herbert Berghof ("Cleopatra"), in his final film role, and Richard Munch ("Patton"), as well as an enchanting Viktoriya Fyodorova as Hackmans' old comrade; she and he do have good moments together.
One can do better than this if they're looking for an intrigue-thriller, but it's certainly not a total waste of time, either.
Six out of 10.
A large part of the problem is a not-so-hot script, with its fair share of bad lines. "Don't get funny, get good." But it improves as it progresses, with a stronger second half, and some decent action sequences. (The third and final teaming of Hackman and filmmaker Arthur Penn, after "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Night Moves", certainly promised something more special than this.) Particularly effective are scenes with Hackman and the antagonist once they are revealed. It turns out, they don't have an unsympathetic motivation. Still, the twists here are plenty predictable, which works against whatever fun factor that Penn is able to generate.
Making the difference are the international settings (Germany, France) and the location usage, as well as a typically fine performance by Hackman. The star once again demonstrates his ability to be consistently engaging, whether playing a hero or villain. He and Dillon may not be the most believable father-son duo ever assembled for the movies, but they work together well enough. The supporting cast is just fine, although it must be said that Hunnicutt, as the victim who sets the plot in motion, is by nature of her role largely wasted. Providing able support are character actors Josef Sommer ("Witness"), Guy Boyd ("Body Double"), Herbert Berghof ("Cleopatra"), in his final film role, and Richard Munch ("Patton"), as well as an enchanting Viktoriya Fyodorova as Hackmans' old comrade; she and he do have good moments together.
One can do better than this if they're looking for an intrigue-thriller, but it's certainly not a total waste of time, either.
Six out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Nov 1, 2020
- Permalink
Target misses the bull's-eye
I'm a sucker for espionage movies filmed on location in Europe, so I was positively inclined toward this film, which I had never heard of before it cropped up on cable this week. I'm not sure how I missed it back in 1985, because I'm a Hackman fan and usually like movies of this type.
This is an OK film, but not a great one. The locations are superb, and there are enough car chases to keep guys like me happy. The basic idea of the film (family of man with secret past must pay for his actions) is all right, too, but it plays out in a rather clunky way. (The story, by the way, was written by Leonard Stern, the executive producer of the GET SMART TV show, and the co-inventor of "Mad Libs".)
Hackman is the best part of the picture. Josef Sommer is also good, but is basically playing the same role he played in WITNESS (also in 1985). He could phone in a part like this. What drags this movie down is the thoroughly annoying Matt Dillon subplot. I'm not sure if it's just Dillon the actor that bothers me, or his character. The screenwriters try to turn this film into a family drama, where the father is reconciled to his son while they search for the kidnapped mother. But the son is SO stupid and annoying, that if I were Gene Hackman, I'd let the KGB put Dillon in a cement overcoat and toss him in the Baltic. IMHO, this would have been a better film with Hackman searching by himself (along with his former lover, perhaps, who is a more interesting character than Dillon).
The closing climactic scene drags on WAY too long. The tension is gone long before it's over, and the fade-out shot of the cuddly family is trite. (If you think about it, they're still in a LOT of trouble at that point, probably more than an hour before!) A much better film with a similar plot (and good locations) is the Harrison Ford vehicle FRANTIC. For spy fans, TARGET is worth watching once, but won't bear repeating.
This is an OK film, but not a great one. The locations are superb, and there are enough car chases to keep guys like me happy. The basic idea of the film (family of man with secret past must pay for his actions) is all right, too, but it plays out in a rather clunky way. (The story, by the way, was written by Leonard Stern, the executive producer of the GET SMART TV show, and the co-inventor of "Mad Libs".)
Hackman is the best part of the picture. Josef Sommer is also good, but is basically playing the same role he played in WITNESS (also in 1985). He could phone in a part like this. What drags this movie down is the thoroughly annoying Matt Dillon subplot. I'm not sure if it's just Dillon the actor that bothers me, or his character. The screenwriters try to turn this film into a family drama, where the father is reconciled to his son while they search for the kidnapped mother. But the son is SO stupid and annoying, that if I were Gene Hackman, I'd let the KGB put Dillon in a cement overcoat and toss him in the Baltic. IMHO, this would have been a better film with Hackman searching by himself (along with his former lover, perhaps, who is a more interesting character than Dillon).
The closing climactic scene drags on WAY too long. The tension is gone long before it's over, and the fade-out shot of the cuddly family is trite. (If you think about it, they're still in a LOT of trouble at that point, probably more than an hour before!) A much better film with a similar plot (and good locations) is the Harrison Ford vehicle FRANTIC. For spy fans, TARGET is worth watching once, but won't bear repeating.
- LCShackley
- Dec 7, 2007
- Permalink
Gene Hackman's acting was phenomenal
(1985) Target
ACTION MYSTERY THRILLER
Directed by Arthur Penn who doesn't really know how to direct an action nor a suspense thriller. Anyone thinking that "Taken" was the first movie to have the idea about "oh, I didn't know that you used to work for the CIA" should check this movie as well, since I think this was the first to have to done that except that "Taken" was much more enjoyable. Luc Besson may have seen this movie and inspired him to make his own without making it complicated. The set up has both father and son played by Matt Dillon and Gene Hackman seeing their mom/ wife off for a business trip somewhere in Paris. They then get a phone call saying that she has just been kidnapped. They both then decide to find the mother together. What Dillon didn't know was that the Gene Hackman character used to work for the CIA, and at first didn't really believe him. Although, this is more of a directors movie, it's similar to his other film called "Little Big Man" saying that this direction is much effective in a critically acclaimed Arthur Penn movie such as "Bonnie And Clyde" but not to a kidnapping film which demands 'suspense' because as viewers are watching this it's like drama then a little suspense and then more drama and then thriller and then more drama etc... The acting chops particularly the Gene Hackman character is what keeps this movie afloat, and interesting to watch despite the twists. Overall, it can still be a forgettable watch.
Directed by Arthur Penn who doesn't really know how to direct an action nor a suspense thriller. Anyone thinking that "Taken" was the first movie to have the idea about "oh, I didn't know that you used to work for the CIA" should check this movie as well, since I think this was the first to have to done that except that "Taken" was much more enjoyable. Luc Besson may have seen this movie and inspired him to make his own without making it complicated. The set up has both father and son played by Matt Dillon and Gene Hackman seeing their mom/ wife off for a business trip somewhere in Paris. They then get a phone call saying that she has just been kidnapped. They both then decide to find the mother together. What Dillon didn't know was that the Gene Hackman character used to work for the CIA, and at first didn't really believe him. Although, this is more of a directors movie, it's similar to his other film called "Little Big Man" saying that this direction is much effective in a critically acclaimed Arthur Penn movie such as "Bonnie And Clyde" but not to a kidnapping film which demands 'suspense' because as viewers are watching this it's like drama then a little suspense and then more drama and then thriller and then more drama etc... The acting chops particularly the Gene Hackman character is what keeps this movie afloat, and interesting to watch despite the twists. Overall, it can still be a forgettable watch.
- jordondave-28085
- May 10, 2023
- Permalink
missing that something keeping it from being a goodmovie
Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon star in this suspense thriller about a dad (former CIA and son who hunt for their kidnapped wife/mother..only problem is that this movie is neither suspenseful or thrilling... it just doesn't hold your interest..on a scale of one to ten..4
Uneven Spy thriller with passable action scenes and poorly written
The Lloyd are the ordinary middle class American family beset by normality and dullness. Young son Chris' feelings that his daddy is a materialist, staid cop-out. But a great surprise waits for young Chris, Matt Dillon, as his mother, Gayle Hunnicutt - who married David Hemmins-, is abducted in Paris, as, nowadays, someone is out to settle an old score against Hackman, seeking vengeance . It results to be that years ago his father, Gene Hackman, was a CIA agent. They travel to Paris and later Berlin where both of them are welcomed with a lot of distresses and dangers. As father and son dodge bullets, take on glamorous enemies and double-agents in their hunt for the kidnapped mother. As several international organisations out to destroy them as they are welcomed by hails of bullets, routine chases, explosions and all kind of mysteries.
A regular foray into the world international espionage dealing with father-son relationship and paced in fits and starts. This is a spy thriller with noisy action, crossfire, pursuits, and emotion that sets in similar style to any run-of-the-mill Spy movies of the Sixties when this genre was in its splendor. Poor and routine plot, and middlingly scripted by Howard Berk, as well as too long. Even here, though, it does not dig deep enough. An average thriller, to be sure, but far less intelligent and ambitious than most Arthur Penn's films. Gene Hackman gives a good acting, as usual, as ordinary dad and husband who slips into a figurative phone booth and emerges as a former Cia agent when his better half is missing. Being well accompanied by a very young newcomer Matt Dillon and a decent support cast as Gayle Hunnicutt, Guy Boyd and Joseph Sommer.
It packs an anticlimatic and lousy musical score by Michael Small. And atmospheric cinematography by the prestigious French cameraman Jean Tournier, but a perfect remastering being really necessary. The motion picture was regularly directed by Arthur Penn. Disappointing to find a filmmaker of Penn's standing and category associated with a movie that arranges its monotonous pursuits, shots and blowing ups well enough, but is otherwise strictly for buffs of the two main actors. Arthur was a good Hollywood director who got a lot of hits. His first film was The left-handed gun, a Billy the Kid biography starred by Paul Newman. He directed all kinds of genres as drama, Thriller, Western, and mystery, such as : The chase with Marlon Brando , Mickey one, Miracle of Anna Sullivan, Little big man, Missouri, Alice restaurant, Giorgia, Night moves and Death of Winter . His greatest film was Bonnie and Clyde.He also directed for TV , as he made Flesh and Blood and episodes of TV Playhouse and TV playwright. Rating 5. 5/10. Mediocre. The movie will appeal to Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon fans.
A regular foray into the world international espionage dealing with father-son relationship and paced in fits and starts. This is a spy thriller with noisy action, crossfire, pursuits, and emotion that sets in similar style to any run-of-the-mill Spy movies of the Sixties when this genre was in its splendor. Poor and routine plot, and middlingly scripted by Howard Berk, as well as too long. Even here, though, it does not dig deep enough. An average thriller, to be sure, but far less intelligent and ambitious than most Arthur Penn's films. Gene Hackman gives a good acting, as usual, as ordinary dad and husband who slips into a figurative phone booth and emerges as a former Cia agent when his better half is missing. Being well accompanied by a very young newcomer Matt Dillon and a decent support cast as Gayle Hunnicutt, Guy Boyd and Joseph Sommer.
It packs an anticlimatic and lousy musical score by Michael Small. And atmospheric cinematography by the prestigious French cameraman Jean Tournier, but a perfect remastering being really necessary. The motion picture was regularly directed by Arthur Penn. Disappointing to find a filmmaker of Penn's standing and category associated with a movie that arranges its monotonous pursuits, shots and blowing ups well enough, but is otherwise strictly for buffs of the two main actors. Arthur was a good Hollywood director who got a lot of hits. His first film was The left-handed gun, a Billy the Kid biography starred by Paul Newman. He directed all kinds of genres as drama, Thriller, Western, and mystery, such as : The chase with Marlon Brando , Mickey one, Miracle of Anna Sullivan, Little big man, Missouri, Alice restaurant, Giorgia, Night moves and Death of Winter . His greatest film was Bonnie and Clyde.He also directed for TV , as he made Flesh and Blood and episodes of TV Playhouse and TV playwright. Rating 5. 5/10. Mediocre. The movie will appeal to Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon fans.
Totally enjoyed
I've read the comments about this movie and agree with many; however, I don't watch movies as a critic. I watch movies for enjoyment. Many reviewers commented on weaknesses in plot, or acting, or directing and while I share some of them, I'll offer what I tell my wife frequently when she observes a "hole" in a movie: "It's a movie". It isn't real life; the plot doesn't HAVE to be perfect. The movie DOES have to be enjoyable and I have thoroughly enjoyed this movie every time I've viewed it. I like the plot, I like the acting, and I'm a huge fan of Gene Hackman. His character offers probably my favorite line of all time: "If I see you again, I won't see you again".
Just enjoy the movie and don't get so bent up over the small stuff.
Just enjoy the movie and don't get so bent up over the small stuff.
- grubbyjeans-1
- Dec 26, 2006
- Permalink
competent thriller but Chris annoys me
Walter Lloyd (Gene Hackman) runs a Dallas lumber company. His son Chris (Matt Dillon) repairs stock cars and doesn't get along with him. His wife Donna travels to Paris but she goes missing. Father and son go off to look for her. Soon the stodgy businessman Walter turns into a man of action without Chris' knowledge. Walter is approached by two gun men with Donna's jewelry but he turns the table on them. He used to work for the CIA and reconnects with an old college Barney Taber (Josef Sommer). Chris saves his father from another gun attack and he finally comes clean to his son.
Matt Dillon is overplaying the bratty know-it-all rebellious teenager role. He overplays everything by a little like when he is first told. Hackman is more of the lead and he's very solid. It's a worthwhile watch for Hackman fans. It goes to lesser seen location like Germany. It's a competent spy action thriller but Matt Dillon's character keeps annoying me with his arrogant ignorance. He's being shot at, his father is a secret spy, his mother is kidnapped and he's still chasing tail.
Matt Dillon is overplaying the bratty know-it-all rebellious teenager role. He overplays everything by a little like when he is first told. Hackman is more of the lead and he's very solid. It's a worthwhile watch for Hackman fans. It goes to lesser seen location like Germany. It's a competent spy action thriller but Matt Dillon's character keeps annoying me with his arrogant ignorance. He's being shot at, his father is a secret spy, his mother is kidnapped and he's still chasing tail.
- SnoopyStyle
- Feb 23, 2015
- Permalink
Misses the bullseye
The concentration on character and family values in Arthur Penn's spy thriller ought to make it a better, more intelligent movie, but somehow it doesn't work. Gene Hackman is an ex-CIA spy who's been "in from the cold" for 15 years. But now his wife has been kidnapped in Paris, and he has to get back into top gear in order to retrieve her. He also has to tell the truth about his past to his 18 year old son (Matt Dillon), who hitherto has thought his dad as much a man of action as Mr Magoo. There are all the contrivances we expect in this genre of film - repeated attempts on Hackman's life; car chases; femmes fatales; CIA agents who might be working for the other side; etc, etc. But little tension is developed, and first the recriminations and then the bonding between Hackman and Dillon simply slow the action down. I found the climax a tad ludicrous, but by that time didn't care much.
Slooooowwww
Despite lots of running around and car chases nothing much happens here. Hackman and Arthur Penn's talents are wasted. Dillon never had much to begin with.
- clintonwest-40523
- Feb 25, 2022
- Permalink
Too boring to work as a thriller
- Leofwine_draca
- Nov 4, 2016
- Permalink