JayRief

One thing I'll say from the offset, this movie touted itself as being about bourbon. I thought to myself, cool, I like bourbon, I'll check it out. It is not about bourbon. It's about bourbon the way Jurassic Park is about lawyers. Also, it's not really a thriller, not entirely at least. Much like pancakes are just dessert disguised as breakfast, this is more of a dramatic comedy strutting around in lavish thriller plumage.

None of this is to say it's a bad movie - quite the opposite. Although it's a grim genre tale, there's a lot of heart, a lot of laughs, a few tears, plenty of blood spilt, and...a musical number? For myself, I liked not knowing too much going in, as there are plenty of surprises, some you don't see coming, others you do (but those are just as satisfying). I was a bit rattled by the abrupt and abrasive tonal change halfway through, but after a second viewing, I can dig it. Bullitt County is more like a fine wine than a bourbon, just need to let it aerate a bit and then the flavors really explode.

Are the characters entirely logical, making sound decisions like normal human beings? Eh, they stretch the limits of what's believable (or likable in many instances), but hey, that's what makes genre flicks so fun, and Bullitt County in particular. Everything feels larger than life, and I mean that in the best possible way. From the stylistic choices in cinematography and editing to the portrayal of each of the main characters (or all the characters for that matter), this is a bombastic assault on the senses. Even the music and sound editing make some ballsy in-your-face choices, teetering on taking it too far in some instances, but always keeping within the parameters of the overall film, unorthodox though they may be. As unhinged as it gets, nothing ever feels out of place.

Don't expect everything about this flick to be served on a silver platter, either. There's a lot buried under the surface to grapple with long after the credits roll, especially if you've had any sort of brush with alcoholism in your life. Definitely wasn't expecting a little backwoods indie to take such a bold plunge into an issue like that. It's a wild ride, infused with plenty of the 70's to feel nostalgic but not get distracting, and while I've never been to the real Bullitt County, I'd absolutely get lost in this film again.

Possibly one of Nic Cage's most stellar performances (on a completely non-serious level, of course). The movie is absolutely ridiculous with Michael Biehn as the lead, and never loses steam through the twists and turns of absurdity. Worth checking out just for Cage's scattered coke-driven scenes. This'll be a new yearly tradition in my household with mandatory viewing for all.

I was so excited to see Nic Cage making a directorial debut and even more so to learn that James Franco was taking the lead. God what a let down. Franco may has well have been on sleeping pills the entire movie, which never really goes anywhere. I appreciate Cage's love of New Orleans and can get down with the atmosphere of the story, but unless you have to watch this at gunpoint, I wouldn't waste your time. If you're thinking of buying it, don't. Just message me and you can have my copy. I don't want it back.