THE JACKAL
RATING: 6 / 10 --> Barely recommendable
Review Date: September 27,
1998
Director:
Michael Caton-Jones
Writers:
Chuck Pfarrer, Frederick Forsyth (novel), Kenneth Ross (script
for the original The Day of the Jackal),
Producers: Sean
Daniel, James Jacks and Kevin Jarre
Actors:
Bruce Willis as The
Jackal
Richard Gere as Declan Mulqueen
Sidney Poitier as Preston
Genre:
Thriller
Year of Release: 1997
Semi-remake of the 1973
film, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, this thriller about the
internationally renowned terrorist known as "The
Jackal" is brought to us by director Michael Caton-Jones,
famous for 1995's ROB ROY and THIS BOY'S LIFE (8/10) with the
young Leo DiCaprio. This was one of two "Jackal" films
to come out in 1997. The other was THE
ASSIGNMENT (7/10)
starring Aidan Quinn.
PLOT:
The Russian mob hires the Jackal to assassinate someone high up
the U.S. political ranks. The FBI and Russian police work
together to identify, find and arrest the Jackal, but come up
empty. With few alternatives remaining, they recruit help from a
jailed Irish terrorist who has already seen and met the Jackal.
This is when the international chase begins.
CRITIQUE:
Overlong, action-less, semi-interesting but mostly boring
so-called "thriller" which showcases some solid acting
performances by Poitier and Gere, but does very little else to
keep the audience awake. I have not seen the original movie upon
which this movie was based, but word on the street is that it is
one of the best thrillers ever! This film on the other hand, has
very few thrills in it, a couple of small scenes of action, and
sprinkles of intrigue. It's basically just a chase movie that
reminded me a lot of THE SAINT (7/10), with all of the clever
costume changes, and THE PEACEMAKER (5.5/10), with its cat-and-mouse hunt
around the world.
I was pleasantly surprised to find Richard Gere finally
stretching his acting abilities by actually playing a character
other than a rich, smug guy in a nice suit! I also liked his
Irish accent and his ever-popular salt-and-pepper hair. Sidney
Poitier also lent some much needed credibility to this project,
and pulled off a strong performance as the FBI agent struggling
to find the Jackal. Willis didn't do much, but it wasn't really
his fault, since the script didn't really call for him to do much
more than switch disguises every now and again (Oh yeah, and he
also got his Canadian accent down pat, by adding an
"aye" at the end of his sentences.)
Despite all of these negative points, and the film lasting about
thirty minutes past its welcome, I wasn't totally bored at any
point, and did like the international aspect of the plot. I also
dug the fact that the final scene of the movie was shot in the
exact Metro station that I used to stand in every day of my life
for three years during my years of College. Ahhhh yes...the
sweet, sweet memories. But enough about me! The bottom line is
that this thriller does not provide many thrills or suspense, but
does offer a semi-interesting plot and some decent performances
from Poitier and Gere. Having said that, if you want to see a
better Jackal movie, toss some coins the way of THE
ASSIGNMENT (7/10),
and have yourself a good time!
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars:
This film was originally slated to be released as THE DAY OF THE
JACKAL, but was later changed.
Bruce
Willis' full name is
Walter Bruce Willis. He was born on the 19th of March 1955, in
Idar-Oberstein, West Germany. His song "Respect
Yourself" reached number five on the music charts in January
of 1987.
Bruce received US$15Million dollars for his role in ARMAGEDDON
(7.5/10), and
US$5Million for his role in the original DIE HARD (8/10). He had
three children with his ex-wife Demi Moore (they divorced in 1998 after 11 years of
marital bliss). Their names are Rumer, Scout Larue and Tallulah
Belle.
Bruce grew up in New Jersey and waited tables and tended bar for
a living until he began to get roles in plays. He broke into the
business when he was seen tending bar in New York by a casting
director who liked his personality & needed a bartender for a
small movie role.
Christopher
Reeve was offered
US$1Million for the lead role in AMERICAN GIGOLO (6.5/10), but
turned it down. John Travolta also turned down the lead in this film
(which later went to Richard Gere), and AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN (8/10)
(which also went to Gere.)
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian