Well, this one left me rather bemused. A L. A based neo noir that's a mess of a film, in regard to good and bad aspects. When it's on, it's on, but there are moments where it can labour and the tone feels totally off. And I think the script with its forced dramas and varied performances play a large part to contributing to it.
LAPD detective Johnny Modine becomes a loose cannon, after the death of his father in a robbery. Wanting justice, he soon discovers the killing was anything but random, as his past is coming back to bite him.
Brad Davis as our lead. Is bland, and never all that convincing, looking very much out of his league... especially when the story asks a little more from him. At times looking like he raided William Peterson's Manhunter wardrobe. To be honest, he can be awkward. Though he's not alone. Sharon Stone is no better, with a rather stiff turn. The chemistry between the two, was non-existent. But then you got the likes of Johnathan Banks and Adam Ant. The villains of the piece. Quite a colorful duo, and playing it up compared to Davis and Stone. Banks really had a threatening and somewhat unhinged presence, to go along with his electrolarynx (robotic voice box). While Ant was the less uptight character. Whenever these two were on screen, my interest was piqued. Sy Richardson (Repo Man) was the third wheel.
The story stayed simple. Cat and mouse games driven by a hunger for revenge. Though it felt, especially early on, the central premise would get sidetracked or focus on irregular scenes longer than needed. Example the running gag involving a vending machine. Still when it comes to the third act it throws out a plot twist involving Stone's character, which is easily foreseeable. It doesn't really add much in the way of suspense... probably in a way cheapens it and rids any sense of unplanned danger. But it does go on to deliver an over-the-top climatic showdown and stunt-work involving fire, in which that one moment Stone makes up for her languid performance.
Interestingly it was the one and only feature by director Dorothy Ann Puzo. Yep, the daughter of Mario Puzo. It's actually well-shot, LA locations come through and there are decent action scenes, some nasty/bloody encounters and an obligatory car chase with some impressive stunt work. Technically all round competent. So I can't help but feel she was let down by the writing and a few of the performances.
