Ricky-Jay Movie Reviews
VHS movie reviews for "Ricky-Jay" sorted by average review score:
A Hole in the Sky
Released in VHS Tape by Hallmark Home Entertainment (20 August, 1996)
Average review score: 
a well thought out story lineGreat acting especially jerry o'connell he is a babe and i have a big crush on him im in love with him and i have loads of pictures of him. anyway back to the film was really supprised it has a great story line.
Sam Elliott and The Hole in the SkyThis movie is something of a departure for Sam Elliott, but he, as always, pulls it off masterfully. Like fine wine, he just gets better with age.
I think that the great strength of the film is its mood. Rather than a rousing story, although the story is interesting enough, watching it is just a pleasurable experience. The characters are believable, the scenery incredible (although it was shot in Canada rather than in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness), and is suitable for the entire family.
If you are a fan of Elliott and/or just plain old good movies, then you should enjoy this one.
vociferious expostulationSam Elliott and Jerry O'Connell give an award winning performance. I wished there were more great movies like this today. Passion, suspence and humor are all apart of this great movie. This is a must see movie!
Things Change
Released in VHS Tape by Columbia/Tristar Studios (05 August, 1997)
Starring: Don Ameche and Joe Mantegna
Average review score:
Mamet proves that THINGS CHANGEDavid Mamet has always been a fimmaker whose most unique asset is his control of the english language... (Or maybe more accurately, 'Mamet's English Language') Well, this film looks like a Mamet film, especially with favorite performers like Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna and William H Macy (in a blonde punk hairstyle...). But, it is less of a language film than a touching and slight odd-couple comedy. This matching a mob enforcer with a sicilian shoemaker in Lake Tahoe. Don Ameche is a totally charm in the film, each moment displaying the innocence of a shoemaker. That innocence is misinterpreted as cold-hearted mafiosa control. The film is a wonderful distraction but lacks the brain of other Mamet films like HOUSE OF GAMES and OLEANNA. The DVD has a nice widescreen transfer and an original mono audio track. Remneber, Things Change.
pretty goodI gave this film four stars, kind of as an homage. Joe Montenga and Don Ameche were both pretty good, they made me chuckle; a star apiece.
The other two stars, just on general principle, have to go to the writer.
Shel Silverstein wrote this!
The other two stars, just on general principle, have to go to the writer.
Shel Silverstein wrote this!
A Mamet triumph!David Mamet makes great films, but oddly some very great ones seem to go unoticed. This is probably his best film in my opinion and I loved HOUSE OF GAMES, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, HOMICIDE(also overlooked) and THE WINSLOW BOY. It's got that whole fairy tale feel to it that is strangely and powerfully endearing. Don Ameche is a cobbler who is called by the mob to go to jail for one of theirs(for murder). He accepts and has only a few days before he must stand up in court. Joe Mantegna is a small time screw up who is assigned to deliver Ameche when the time comes. Being a compassionate man, Mantegna takes Ameche out for a last hurrah. Very, funny and charming feature co-written by Shel Sivlerstein. Also showcases the remarkable talents of Robert Prosky, Ricky Jay, J.T. Walsh and William H. Macy. Sort of like the Hal Asby classic THE LAST DETAIL. A film to be owned!
The Water Engine
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Home Video (23 May, 1995)
Average review score:
.A fine little movie based on a play by David Mamet. It maybe gets a little carried away with itself towards the end, and suffers from its "made for television" aesthetic, but it's still well-performed, gripping, and dark.
Great movie about deceptive lawyersOutstanding movie about corrupt lawyers and big business. Any small manufacturer who has created a unique product and hopes to distribute it through stores like Staples, Office Depot, and CompUSA, (i.e., large U.S. specialty retailers) should see this movie before talking to anyone--particularly the buyers for the retailers. This movie takes viewers through the hair-raising twists and turns of deception and corruption that lead eventually to murder.
Ring of the Musketeers
Released in VHS Tape by Columbia/Tristar Studios (20 June, 1995)
Average review score:
Pretty good, but not the finestThis is mostly a comedy piece and delivers on that account, but doesn't have the best kind of story. The camera angles in some scenes didn't need to be diagonal either.
Fun fantasyA fun light hearted and entertaining movie. Idealistic and romantic. Great for watching David in a romantic setting, in a castle atop a hill, on a motorcycle, a poetic movie.
The funniest movie of all timeWith characters such as "Johnny D'Artagnan" (Hasselhoff), "Burt Aramis" (Cheech Marin) and "Peter Porthos" (no idea), need I say more? One of the best scenes is where Hasselhoff has to create a distraction by...performing a free live concert in the street in front of hundreds of screaming fans, complete with wrap-around mike and about four keyboards. It's well worth the money.
Tomorrow Never Dies
Released in VHS Tape by Mgm/Ua Studios (06 May, 1998)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, and Teri Hatcher
With stylish director Roger Spottiswode (Under Fire) at the helm, this James Bond thriller is one of the sleekest ever. It doesn't feel weighed down by its mammoth special effects, like most other recent installments. It's consistently graceful and light on its feet, especially when high-kicking Hong Kong martial-arts star Michelle Yeoh leaps into action as Bond's Chinese counterpart. And a sequence depicting a high-altitude parachute jump ranks with the coolest set pieces of the entire series. There's even an attempt in this outing to modernize the stiff-jointed Cold War assumptions of the secret-agent genre, by making the bad guy (played with greedy relish by Jonathan Pryce) an international media mogul, a megalomaniacal blend of Rupert Murdoch and Ted Turner. As a ploy to boost the ratings of his cable-news hookup, Pryce's Jeremy Carver employs a globe-spanning satellite system to nudge the armed forces of China and Great Britain into a confrontation--quoting William Randolph Hearst (and Charles Foster Kane) along the way: "You supply the pictures, I'll supply the war." Bond number six, Pierce Brosnan, seems to be settling into a no-nonsense interpretation of 007 as "a professional doing a job," a craftsman who seems to be exhilarated by his own competence. Michelle Yeoh's best Hong Kong efforts include Yes, Madam, Heroic Trio, and Supercop, in which she costarred with Jackie Chan--and matched him kick for kick. --David Chute
Average review score:
Very clever plot idea smothered in action...This is definitely your 007-k Bond film. Brosnan has come back with his smooth style that has just enough razor blade edge to it (as he displays in "The World is Not Enough" and years ago as a KGB agent in "The Fourth Protocol")to foreshadow his playing the role in adventures that are "thrillers" as well as spectacles. Jonathan Pryce has the same sophisticated psychotic air of menace that Max Von Sydow brought to "Never Say Never Again" as SPECTRE chief Blofeld. Except that in this outing Pryce's maniac media mogul, Elliot Carver, manipulates world events to provoke W.W.III for the sake of ratings and exclusive control of Red China's soon-to-boom cable TV market. Isn't this the most nefarious and original threat since Bond faced down Blofeld in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with its scheme of germ/genetic warfare? TOMORROW NEVER DIES could have been a superbly cynical 007-twist on "Wag the Dog" that might have made it a classic in its own right. Instead the fan/viewer has to settle for great action sequences, exotic locales and the spectacle that the 007 franchise inevitably delivers. Carping about a Bond movie is like complaining about the cost of a free meal. And I'm not; I simply repeat that this could have been a gourmet piece de resistance instead of the usual shaken-not-stirred Aston-Martini-buffet Bond smothered in action.......
The Best of the Brosnan BondsThough suffering from the same weak-villain malaise as most modern Bond films, "Tomorrow Never Dies" nonetheless scores big in the action and style departments, making it the best of the Brosnan Bonds. The latest 007 is in top form here, playing a contemporary Bond with the correct mixture of threat and thought, even if Brosnan is still no Sean Connery. This time, Bond squares off against a William-Randolf-Hearst-esque villain bent on increasing the circulation of his tabloid newpaper, "Tomorrow," by starting World War III. Bond is assisted by the most exciting Bond girl of recent years--no, not the bubble-headed Teri Hatcher, but the beautiful and capable Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent who is every bit as smooth as her British counterpart. Why on earth she hasn't been in another Bond film or her own based on the character is beyond me, as she puts to shame any other female action hero of late, whether that be "The Matrix's" Carrie-Anne Moss or "Die Another Day's" Halle Berry. With a terrific teaser sequence, excellent score by David Arnold (who manages to evoke John Barry without simply imitating him), stylish look and production values, and fast-paced, if relatively thin, storyline, "Tomorrow Never Dies" suffers only from relatively minor problems, such as Jonathan Pryce's ho-hum villain, who is more a spoiled child than an egomaniacal genius, and some secondary characters--such as the campy "Dr. Kaufman" and anarchist Gupta, played by poor, wasted Ricky Jay--that fall flat. Kudos to Director Roger Spottiswoode for putting excitement back into the Bond series.
My favorite Bond movie!This has to be my favorite Bond movie, good plot, good gadgets, GREAT female leads (kudos to Mss. Yeoh and Hatcher!) and Pierce Brosnan make for an excellent movie!
I still think Sean Connery is the quintessential Bond, but Mr. Brosnan ably walks in his shoes. If I were a Bond novice, I would still start with the earlier movies, but this is a wonderful addition to the series.
Tomorrow Never Dies
Released in VHS Tape by Mgm/Ua Studios (14 August, 2001)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, and Teri Hatcher
Pierce Brosnan returns for his second stint as James Bond (after GoldenEye), and he's doing it in high style with an invigorating cast of costars. It's only appropriate that a Bond film from 1997 would find Agent 007 pitted against a media mogul (Jonathan Pryce) who's going to start a global war (beginning with stolen nuclear missiles aimed at China) to create attention-grabbing headlines for his latest multimedia news channel. It's the information age run amok, and Bond must team up with a lovely and lethal agent from the Chinese External Security Force (played by Honk Kong action star Michelle Yeoh) to foil the madman's plot of global domination. Luckily for Bond, the villain's wife (Teri Hatcher) is one of his former lovers, and at the behest of his superior M (Judi Dench), 007 finds ample opportunity to exploit the connection. Although it bears some nagging similarities to many formulaic action films from the '90s, Tomorrow Never Dies (with a title song performed by Sheryl Crow) boasts enough grand-scale action and sufficiently intelligent plotting to suggest the Bond series has plenty of potential to survive into the next millennium. Armed with the usual array of gadgets (including a remote-controlled BMW), Brosnan settles into his role with acceptable flair, and the dynamic Yeoh provides a perfect balance to the sexism that once threatened to turn Bond into a politically incorrect anachronism. He's still Bond, to be sure, but he's saving the world with a bit more sophisticated finesse. In addition to theatrical trailers, this special edition DVD comes with a feature-length audio commentary by director Roger Spottiswoode, more commentary by stunt director Vic Armstrong and producer Michael G. Wilson, a storyboard overlay that compares action-sequence concepts with final footage, a 45-minute "Secrets of 007" featurette covering the evolution of the Bond character, and an isolated music-only track with an interview of composer David Arnold. Bond would be proud.--Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
Very clever plot idea smothered in action...This is definitely your 007-k Bond film. Brosnan has come back with his smooth style that has just enough razor blade edge to it (as he displays in "The World is Not Enough" and years ago as a KGB agent in "The Fourth Protocol")to foreshadow his playing the role in adventures that are "thrillers" as well as spectacles. Jonathan Pryce has the same sophisticated psychotic air of menace that Max Von Sydow brought to "Never Say Never Again" as SPECTRE chief Blofeld. Except that in this outing Pryce's maniac media mogul, Elliot Carver, manipulates world events to provoke W.W.III for the sake of ratings and exclusive control of Red China's soon-to-boom cable TV market. Isn't this the most nefarious and original threat since Bond faced down Blofeld in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with its scheme of germ/genetic warfare? TOMORROW NEVER DIES could have been a superbly cynical 007-twist on "Wag the Dog" that might have made it a classic in its own right. Instead the fan/viewer has to settle for great action sequences, exotic locales and the spectacle that the 007 franchise inevitably delivers. Carping about a Bond movie is like complaining about the cost of a free meal. And I'm not; I simply repeat that this could have been a gourmet piece de resistance instead of the usual shaken-not-stirred Aston-Martini-buffet Bond smothered in action.......
The Best of the Brosnan BondsThough suffering from the same weak-villain malaise as most modern Bond films, "Tomorrow Never Dies" nonetheless scores big in the action and style departments, making it the best of the Brosnan Bonds. The latest 007 is in top form here, playing a contemporary Bond with the correct mixture of threat and thought, even if Brosnan is still no Sean Connery. This time, Bond squares off against a William-Randolf-Hearst-esque villain bent on increasing the circulation of his tabloid newpaper, "Tomorrow," by starting World War III. Bond is assisted by the most exciting Bond girl of recent years--no, not the bubble-headed Teri Hatcher, but the beautiful and capable Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent who is every bit as smooth as her British counterpart. Why on earth she hasn't been in another Bond film or her own based on the character is beyond me, as she puts to shame any other female action hero of late, whether that be "The Matrix's" Carrie-Anne Moss or "Die Another Day's" Halle Berry. With a terrific teaser sequence, excellent score by David Arnold (who manages to evoke John Barry without simply imitating him), stylish look and production values, and fast-paced, if relatively thin, storyline, "Tomorrow Never Dies" suffers only from relatively minor problems, such as Jonathan Pryce's ho-hum villain, who is more a spoiled child than an egomaniacal genius, and some secondary characters--such as the campy "Dr. Kaufman" and anarchist Gupta, played by poor, wasted Ricky Jay--that fall flat. Kudos to Director Roger Spottiswoode for putting excitement back into the Bond series.
My favorite Bond movie!This has to be my favorite Bond movie, good plot, good gadgets, GREAT female leads (kudos to Mss. Yeoh and Hatcher!) and Pierce Brosnan make for an excellent movie!
I still think Sean Connery is the quintessential Bond, but Mr. Brosnan ably walks in his shoes. If I were a Bond novice, I would still start with the earlier movies, but this is a wonderful addition to the series.
Tomorrow Never Dies (Limited Edition Gift Pack)
Released in VHS Tape by Mgm/Ua Studios (17 November, 1998)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, and Teri Hatcher
Pierce Brosnan returns for his second stint as James Bond (after GoldenEye), and he's doing it in high style with an invigorating cast of costars. It's only appropriate that a Bond film from 1997 would find Agent 007 pitted against a media mogul (Jonathan Pryce) who's going to start a global war (beginning with stolen nuclear missiles aimed at China) to create attention-grabbing headlines for his latest multimedia news channel. It's the information age run amok, and Bond must team up with a lovely and lethal agent from the Chinese External Security Force (played by Honk Kong action star Michelle Yeoh) to foil the madman's plot of global domination. Luckily for Bond, the villain's wife (Teri Hatcher) is one of his former lovers, and at the behest of his superior M (Judi Dench), 007 finds ample opportunity to exploit the connection. Although it bears some nagging similarities to many formulaic action films from the '90s, Tomorrow Never Dies (with a title song performed by Sheryl Crow) boasts enough grand-scale action and sufficiently intelligent plotting to suggest the Bond series has plenty of potential to survive into the next millennium. Armed with the usual array of gadgets (including a remote-controlled BMW), Brosnan settles into his role with acceptable flair, and the dynamic Yeoh provides a perfect balance to the sexism that once threatened to turn Bond into a politically incorrect anachronism. He's still Bond, to be sure, but he's saving the world with a bit more sophisticated finesse. This edition includes a separate tape on the cinematic history of James Bond.--Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
Very clever plot idea smothered in action...This is definitely your 007-k Bond film. Brosnan has come back with his smooth style that has just enough razor blade edge to it (as he displays in "The World is Not Enough" and years ago as a KGB agent in "The Fourth Protocol")to foreshadow his playing the role in adventures that are "thrillers" as well as spectacles. Jonathan Pryce has the same sophisticated psychotic air of menace that Max Von Sydow brought to "Never Say Never Again" as SPECTRE chief Blofeld. Except that in this outing Pryce's maniac media mogul, Elliot Carver, manipulates world events to provoke W.W.III for the sake of ratings and exclusive control of Red China's soon-to-boom cable TV market. Isn't this the most nefarious and original threat since Bond faced down Blofeld in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with its scheme of germ/genetic warfare? TOMORROW NEVER DIES could have been a superbly cynical 007-twist on "Wag the Dog" that might have made it a classic in its own right. Instead the fan/viewer has to settle for great action sequences, exotic locales and the spectacle that the 007 franchise inevitably delivers. Carping about a Bond movie is like complaining about the cost of a free meal. And I'm not; I simply repeat that this could have been a gourmet piece de resistance instead of the usual shaken-not-stirred Aston-Martini-buffet Bond smothered in action.......
The Best of the Brosnan BondsThough suffering from the same weak-villain malaise as most modern Bond films, "Tomorrow Never Dies" nonetheless scores big in the action and style departments, making it the best of the Brosnan Bonds. The latest 007 is in top form here, playing a contemporary Bond with the correct mixture of threat and thought, even if Brosnan is still no Sean Connery. This time, Bond squares off against a William-Randolf-Hearst-esque villain bent on increasing the circulation of his tabloid newpaper, "Tomorrow," by starting World War III. Bond is assisted by the most exciting Bond girl of recent years--no, not the bubble-headed Teri Hatcher, but the beautiful and capable Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent who is every bit as smooth as her British counterpart. Why on earth she hasn't been in another Bond film or her own based on the character is beyond me, as she puts to shame any other female action hero of late, whether that be "The Matrix's" Carrie-Anne Moss or "Die Another Day's" Halle Berry. With a terrific teaser sequence, excellent score by David Arnold (who manages to evoke John Barry without simply imitating him), stylish look and production values, and fast-paced, if relatively thin, storyline, "Tomorrow Never Dies" suffers only from relatively minor problems, such as Jonathan Pryce's ho-hum villain, who is more a spoiled child than an egomaniacal genius, and some secondary characters--such as the campy "Dr. Kaufman" and anarchist Gupta, played by poor, wasted Ricky Jay--that fall flat. Kudos to Director Roger Spottiswoode for putting excitement back into the Bond series.
My favorite Bond movie!This has to be my favorite Bond movie, good plot, good gadgets, GREAT female leads (kudos to Mss. Yeoh and Hatcher!) and Pierce Brosnan make for an excellent movie!
I still think Sean Connery is the quintessential Bond, but Mr. Brosnan ably walks in his shoes. If I were a Bond novice, I would still start with the earlier movies, but this is a wonderful addition to the series.
Tomorrow Never Dies
Released in VHS Tape by Mgm/Ua Studios (14 August, 2001)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, and Teri Hatcher
Pierce Brosnan returns for his second stint as James Bond (after GoldenEye), and he's doing it in high style with an invigorating cast of costars. It's only appropriate that a Bond film from 1997 would find Agent 007 pitted against a media mogul (Jonathan Pryce) who's going to start a global war (beginning with stolen nuclear missiles aimed at China) to create attention-grabbing headlines for his latest multimedia news channel. It's the information age run amok, and Bond must team up with a lovely and lethal agent from the Chinese External Security Force (played by Honk Kong action star Michelle Yeoh) to foil the madman's plot of global domination. Luckily for Bond, the villain's wife (Teri Hatcher) is one of his former lovers, and at the behest of his superior M (Judi Dench), 007 finds ample opportunity to exploit the connection. Although it bears some nagging similarities to many formulaic action films from the '90s, Tomorrow Never Dies (with a title song performed by Sheryl Crow) boasts enough grand-scale action and sufficiently intelligent plotting to suggest the Bond series has plenty of potential to survive into the next millennium. Armed with the usual array of gadgets (including a remote-controlled BMW), Brosnan settles into his role with acceptable flair, and the dynamic Yeoh provides a perfect balance to the sexism that once threatened to turn Bond into a politically incorrect anachronism. He's still Bond, to be sure, but he's saving the world with a bit more sophisticated finesse. In addition to theatrical trailers, this special edition DVD comes with a feature-length audio commentary by director Roger Spottiswoode, more commentary by stunt director Vic Armstrong and producer Michael G. Wilson, a storyboard overlay that compares action-sequence concepts with final footage, a 45-minute "Secrets of 007" featurette covering the evolution of the Bond character, and an isolated music-only track with an interview of composer David Arnold. Bond would be proud.--Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
Very clever plot idea smothered in action...This is definitely your 007-k Bond film. Brosnan has come back with his smooth style that has just enough razor blade edge to it (as he displays in "The World is Not Enough" and years ago as a KGB agent in "The Fourth Protocol")to foreshadow his playing the role in adventures that are "thrillers" as well as spectacles. Jonathan Pryce has the same sophisticated psychotic air of menace that Max Von Sydow brought to "Never Say Never Again" as SPECTRE chief Blofeld. Except that in this outing Pryce's maniac media mogul, Elliot Carver, manipulates world events to provoke W.W.III for the sake of ratings and exclusive control of Red China's soon-to-boom cable TV market. Isn't this the most nefarious and original threat since Bond faced down Blofeld in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with its scheme of germ/genetic warfare? TOMORROW NEVER DIES could have been a superbly cynical 007-twist on "Wag the Dog" that might have made it a classic in its own right. Instead the fan/viewer has to settle for great action sequences, exotic locales and the spectacle that the 007 franchise inevitably delivers. Carping about a Bond movie is like complaining about the cost of a free meal. And I'm not; I simply repeat that this could have been a gourmet piece de resistance instead of the usual shaken-not-stirred Aston-Martini-buffet Bond smothered in action.......
The Best of the Brosnan BondsThough suffering from the same weak-villain malaise as most modern Bond films, "Tomorrow Never Dies" nonetheless scores big in the action and style departments, making it the best of the Brosnan Bonds. The latest 007 is in top form here, playing a contemporary Bond with the correct mixture of threat and thought, even if Brosnan is still no Sean Connery. This time, Bond squares off against a William-Randolf-Hearst-esque villain bent on increasing the circulation of his tabloid newpaper, "Tomorrow," by starting World War III. Bond is assisted by the most exciting Bond girl of recent years--no, not the bubble-headed Teri Hatcher, but the beautiful and capable Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent who is every bit as smooth as her British counterpart. Why on earth she hasn't been in another Bond film or her own based on the character is beyond me, as she puts to shame any other female action hero of late, whether that be "The Matrix's" Carrie-Anne Moss or "Die Another Day's" Halle Berry. With a terrific teaser sequence, excellent score by David Arnold (who manages to evoke John Barry without simply imitating him), stylish look and production values, and fast-paced, if relatively thin, storyline, "Tomorrow Never Dies" suffers only from relatively minor problems, such as Jonathan Pryce's ho-hum villain, who is more a spoiled child than an egomaniacal genius, and some secondary characters--such as the campy "Dr. Kaufman" and anarchist Gupta, played by poor, wasted Ricky Jay--that fall flat. Kudos to Director Roger Spottiswoode for putting excitement back into the Bond series.
My favorite Bond movie!This has to be my favorite Bond movie, good plot, good gadgets, GREAT female leads (kudos to Mss. Yeoh and Hatcher!) and Pierce Brosnan make for an excellent movie!
I still think Sean Connery is the quintessential Bond, but Mr. Brosnan ably walks in his shoes. If I were a Bond novice, I would still start with the earlier movies, but this is a wonderful addition to the series.
Heartbreakers
Released in VHS Tape by MGM/UA Video (07 January, 2003)
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Gene Hackman
Heartbreakers wants to be a distaff variation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, compensating for lack of intelligence with ample cleavage provided by Sigourney Weaver and (especially) Jennifer Love Hewitt. This alone should draw plenty of drooling guys who will enjoy the scenery and affirm the movie's depiction of men as lecherous idiots. And what scenery it is! Gussied up in trampy glamour, Weaver and Hewitt play mom-and-daughter grifters with a devious routine: Max (Weaver) lures wealthy cads into marriage, and then daughter Page (Hewitt) seduces them, so Mom can discover the infidelity and fleece the chump in divorce court. They've just scammed the boss of a hot-car ring (Ray Liotta) and now it's on to Palm Beach, Florida, where they'll dupe a wheezing tobacco baron (Gene Hackman) and retire to the good life. Or so they think...
Armed with the same airheaded humor he brought to Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, director David Mirkin relies on the clichéd notion that sex turns all men into morons--a conceit that would have worked if the dialogue and sitcom antics were more convincing. As Page's would-be paramour, Jason Lee is rendered intellectually inert, and it's hit-or-miss from that point forward. When the humor hits--as it does with Nora Dunn's rendition of a horrible housemaid--Heartbreakers hints at its full potential. Additional plot twists--not to mention Hewitt's microskirts and Wonderbras--may hold your attention, but you may find yourself harkening back to Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and those happier high jinks on the French Riviera. Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin has a cameo role as the wedding priest. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
HeartbreakersQuick. Make some popcorn, settle into your favorite easy chair, and be prepared to enjoy 2 hours of mindless energetic fun. You won't glean valuable insights into the meaning of the universe, as heartthrob Jason Lee innocently seeks in this lightweight offering, but you will have been pleasantly entertained. The unlikely cast of Weaver, Hewitt, Hackman, and Liotta work suprisingly well. Call it "The Sting" lite. This amusing farce revolves around the exploits of a mother and daughter team of gold digging grifters. Jennifer Love Hewitt as the daughter supplies plenty of eye candy, but her acting skills and comedic timing are first rate. I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of her in the future. You gotta love Gene Hackman as an obnoxious, unrepentant tobacco billionaire who's face seems to be perpetually obscured in a cloud of cigarette smoke. Ray Liotta does not look much older than he did in "Goodfellas" and is hilarious as a shady businessman/love interest for Sigourney Weaver who in a rare comedic appearance, turns in a humorous performance. Several cameos by familiar personalities from television and film are unexpected fun. This is a movie that does not take itself too seriously and does not expect you too either. Enjoy.
Good MovieNot great But A Good movie With Good acting I suggest You Rent It On a Weekend Sometime
This Movie Is No Heartbreaker"Heartbreakers" stars Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Gene Hackman, and others. This is a great comedy for all ages. Its humor keeps its viewers laughing during and after watching. Its theme of a woman who cons many men offers many interesting twists and turns, always keeping everyone interested. Such theme takes a big turn when her daughter begins sliding away from her for a man, whom she truly falls in love with. The suspense builds as her most recent ex-husband searches for her. The writers are brilliant. The actors offer their own humor. Sigourney Weaver performs her role as the con artist wonderfully. Her fake russian accent can fool anyone. Her performance of "Back In the USSR" almost lives up to the original Beatles version. Gene Hackman's role as her latest victim is hilarious. The smoke constantly blowing out of his mouth and his nostrils gives the movie its own flamboyance. Everyone else also acts their roles wonderfully. "Heartbreakers" is a great comedy for those looking for a laugh fest. This unforgettable experience will not disappoint its viewers. Those wanting more should also watch the special features. They have many interesting clips: deleted scenes (including Weaver's full performance of "Back In the USSR"), interviews, behind the scenes footage, and more.
Heartbreakers
Released in Theatrical Release by (23 March, 2001)
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Gene Hackman
Heartbreakers wants to be a distaff variation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, compensating for lack of intelligence with ample cleavage provided by Sigourney Weaver and (especially) Jennifer Love Hewitt. This alone should draw plenty of drooling guys who will enjoy the scenery and affirm the movie's depiction of men as lecherous idiots. And what scenery it is! Gussied up in trampy glamour, Weaver and Hewitt play mom-and-daughter grifters with a devious routine: Max (Weaver) lures wealthy cads into marriage, and then daughter Page (Hewitt) seduces them, so Mom can discover the infidelity and fleece the chump in divorce court. They've just scammed the boss of a hot-car ring (Ray Liotta) and now it's on to Palm Beach, Florida, where they'll dupe a wheezing tobacco baron (Gene Hackman) and retire to the good life. Or so they think...
Armed with the same airheaded humor he brought to Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, director David Mirkin relies on the clichéd notion that sex turns all men into morons--a conceit that would have worked if the dialogue and sitcom antics were more convincing. As Page's would-be paramour, Jason Lee is rendered intellectually inert, and it's hit-or-miss from that point forward. When the humor hits--as it does with Nora Dunn's rendition of a horrible housemaid--Heartbreakers hints at its full potential. Additional plot twists--not to mention Hewitt's microskirts and Wonderbras--may hold your attention, but you may find yourself harkening back to Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and those happier high jinks on the French Riviera. Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin has a cameo role as the wedding priest. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
HeartbreakersQuick. Make some popcorn, settle into your favorite easy chair, and be prepared to enjoy 2 hours of mindless energetic fun. You won't glean valuable insights into the meaning of the universe, as heartthrob Jason Lee innocently seeks in this lightweight offering, but you will have been pleasantly entertained. The unlikely cast of Weaver, Hewitt, Hackman, and Liotta work suprisingly well. Call it "The Sting" lite. This amusing farce revolves around the exploits of a mother and daughter team of gold digging grifters. Jennifer Love Hewitt as the daughter supplies plenty of eye candy, but her acting skills and comedic timing are first rate. I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of her in the future. You gotta love Gene Hackman as an obnoxious, unrepentant tobacco billionaire who's face seems to be perpetually obscured in a cloud of cigarette smoke. Ray Liotta does not look much older than he did in "Goodfellas" and is hilarious as a shady businessman/love interest for Sigourney Weaver who in a rare comedic appearance, turns in a humorous performance. Several cameos by familiar personalities from television and film are unexpected fun. This is a movie that does not take itself too seriously and does not expect you too either. Enjoy.
Good MovieNot great But A Good movie With Good acting I suggest You Rent It On a Weekend Sometime
This Movie Is No Heartbreaker"Heartbreakers" stars Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Gene Hackman, and others. This is a great comedy for all ages. Its humor keeps its viewers laughing during and after watching. Its theme of a woman who cons many men offers many interesting twists and turns, always keeping everyone interested. Such theme takes a big turn when her daughter begins sliding away from her for a man, whom she truly falls in love with. The suspense builds as her most recent ex-husband searches for her. The writers are brilliant. The actors offer their own humor. Sigourney Weaver performs her role as the con artist wonderfully. Her fake russian accent can fool anyone. Her performance of "Back In the USSR" almost lives up to the original Beatles version. Gene Hackman's role as her latest victim is hilarious. The smoke constantly blowing out of his mouth and his nostrils gives the movie its own flamboyance. Everyone else also acts their roles wonderfully. "Heartbreakers" is a great comedy for those looking for a laugh fest. This unforgettable experience will not disappoint its viewers. Those wanting more should also watch the special features. They have many interesting clips: deleted scenes (including Weaver's full performance of "Back In the USSR"), interviews, behind the scenes footage, and more.