JoBlo reviews "Out of Sight"

OUT OF SIGHT
RATING: 7.5 / 10 --> Re-watchable

Review Date:             July 18, 1998
Director:                    Steven Soderbergh
Writer:                      Scott Frank (based on Elmore Leonard's novel)
Producers:                 Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher
Actors:                      George Clooney as Jack Foley
                                Jennifer Lopez as Karen Sisco
                                Ving Rhames as Buddy Bragg
Genre:                       Crime
Year of Release:       1998

Steven Soderbergh takes a shot at another one of Elmore Leonard's famous crime novels. He follows the recent footsteps of Quentin Tarantino with JACKIE BROWN (6.5/10) based on Leonard's "Rum Punch", Paul Shrader's TOUCH (5/10) and Barry Sonnenfeld's GET SHORTY (7.5/10). Soderbergh is best known for his award-winning debut film SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE (Winner of the Palme D'or at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.) Since then, he hasn't done anything of great interest.

PLOT:
Extreme bank-robber Foley falls into another caper with partner Buddy, and a host of other lowlifes after his recent stint in the big house. During his escapades, he meets US Marshal Sisco, who takes a liking to this con man, who in turn, falls for the luscious government agent.

CRITIQUE:
Great crime picture, with interesting performances, unique style and an intertwining, captivating plot. This movie comes closest to PULP FICTION (7.5/10) in its style and feel, and definitely delivers on the appeal elements more successfully than Tarantino's over-character-developed film JACKIE BROWN. Mind you, this movie does lack the hipper-than-thou dialogue that was sprinkled throughout PULP FICTION, but even still, it manages to pull off a great addition to the crime genre. It's got its thrilling moments, its funny moments, and even its sexy moments. Like PULP FICTION, the plot goes back and forth through time, but it is never confusing, and never gets in the way of the interesting crime-ridden plot line.

The characters are real, or at least feel real, and the developing relationship between the two leading antagonistic characters is well-done and believable. Soderbergh's shooting style is slick, and reminiscent of some of the best '70's exploitation movies, as well as the soundtrack which comes through like the era left behind, but the sounds not forgotten. All of the stars are great in their roles, with exceptional marks to Clooney (who's finally beginning to "act") and Lopez, who comes through in sexy gangbusters! Also, both stars are extremely "easy on the eyes", with a tip of the hat to Clooney for getting in such excellent shape for this flick (my brother noted that you could bounce a quarter off his well-developed six-pack stomach). Also, Jennifer Lopez is both sexy and gorgeous. But did I mention that already?

On the down side, I did find the film to be a little too long on its running time, but that's about all that I could say on that in regards to negativity. Add to that, the superior cinematography of the film, especially during the winter shots in Detroit which were particularly well-shot, and you've got yourself a great story, told in an original manner, with two great-looking and interesting leading characters, and a plot that always keeps you guessing. Top that off with a couple of cool cameos, and a slick directorial style, and you've got yourself a nacho-munching cinematic extravaganza for the summer.

Little Known Facts:
Three stars from PULP FICTION also show up in this film.
Michael Keaton's character from JACKIE BROWN makes an appearance in this film as the same character he played in the former.
Soderbergh wrote the screenplay to NIGHTWATCH, and also had a hand in the written form of MIMIC (6.5/10).
Jennifer Lopez was one of the "Fly girls" dancers on the "In Living Color" TV Show. At the movie wrap party for SELENA, on Oct. 28 1996 in San Antonio, Jennifer's boyfriend Ojani Noa grabbed a microphone and proposed to her in the middle of the dance floor, presenting her with a large marquis-cut diamond ring. She said 'yes'.
Nancy Allen of "Brian DePalma's wife for four years" fame, and star of DePalma's BLOW OUT (7/10) and DRESSED TO KILL (7/10), plays Midge in this film.

(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian