Love Lies Bleeding

When ex-con Geraghty comes home one day to find his home ransacked (again) and his girl (Dewan) roughed up by gang bangers, he's had enough. When he decides to take matters into his own hands, he shows up at the scene of a shootout over a bag of money left lying on the floor. After grabbing the money and running. He figures a safe distance away and starts to settle down, only to find bad guy psychotic Slater on his trail.

The genre categories on this film are stated as action, drama, and thrills. As for action, very little; drama, more than what should be in any action film; and thrills? Well, no thrills here, especially for someone who doesn't, ordinarily, like movies like this.

As for some of the leads, Geraghty didn't pull off his character, at least I didn't believe him and when did Dewan grow up? In two years, she's gone from high school ballet student in "Step Up" to high school teacher (?!?!?!) in "Fab 5: The Texas Cheerleader Story" and this one, where she's just a kid again starting out on life's journey. Slater was always a favorite of mine, but I just could not believe that he's happy with this performance. Whoever taught him who act as a psycho on the edge should give him a refund (or at least change for that dime he charged Slater for the acting lessons).

Overall, the premise was good, but the acting was not. Three bad acting jobs takes three stars away from what WAS a good story line. 7 out of 10 stars.

Spare yourself from this travesty. I don't think I've ever seen a movie this bad in my life, honestly. I don't know what else I can tell you, but please, just avoid it. All I can muster is rhetoric, it's REALLY JUST THAT BAD.

Acting is awful (especially Brian Geraghty, who is always stone like for no apparent reason), in fact, even Slater (which was a bit of a surprise) seems to struggle to play the role convincingly (it's just too over the top retarded I suppose). Dialogue is bland, cheesy, and just all around makes me cringe with every line. I still can't believe I watched the whole thing. It's one of those movies that you want to turn off from the beginning.

Predictable plot, sloppy and uninspired cinematography, etc. It's just all around poor. The way the characters flip-flop back and forth (about what to do with the money) when their lives are at stake is laughable.

I will never write another review unless I see a movie poorer than this one. I would usually never write a review in the first place, but if I can spare someone 1.5 hours of their life then writing this will have been worth it. In fact, I am so disgusted by Brian Geraghty's performance that I will never watch another movie that he is ever again. They should have just cast a sock puppet in his place instead.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

I had to wonder if I saw the same film as the other commentator as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, this is an old storyline but I thought the story was credible, the actors did a good job and were believable and the locations were authentic. I see from the forum that it was actually shot in Albuquerque which makes it even better for me as I'm unlikely to be lucky enough to visit the place myself. So to summarise, relatively unknown actors (except one), no big budget special effects, simple storyline and yes it works. Just remember folks, biggest isn't always best, just like this comment, I've said all I want to say but its not ten lines so I've got to fill it out!

This film was truly awful, its a shame i read a review saying it was like true romance, "true romance being a 10 and this an 8". As true romance is my favourite film i thought i'd given it a go. I wish i'd watched true romance instead. Christian Slater is the only good part in this film and the only reason he is in it is because he must be a bit hard up for cash. The whole way through this couple are disgustingly cheesy and its an extremely cringeworthy film to watch. Also i just kept thinking, why? Why on earth would you do that?! Hated it and cant believe i watched it till the end. I gave this film a 2 and to be honest even thats being a bit generous. I don't blame the actors for the cheese in this film because they weren't overly that bad, but the writer, some lines were terrible. This film is nothing like TRUE ROMANCE.

Christian Slater released two films at approximately the same time, "He Was a Quiet Man", and this particular piece. "Love Lies Bleeding" is a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but imagine Clyde as a miserably ignorant, somewhat philosophical "nice guy".

A young couple, Duke and Amber are living together on the wrong side of the tracks, dealing with poverty, crime, and general economic misfortune until coming upon a bag of money belonging to their drug-dealing neighbors. Also sought after by dirty cop Pollen, they go on the run to escape their depressing lives and find their dream life of a house with a yard and 2.5 children...etc...

Jenna Dewan is really developing quality acting skills, especially opposing Christian Slater's frightening "dirty cop" routine. Christian Slater once again shows his talents and versatility (very obvious if going between this film and "He Was a Quiet Man). This was a fantastic role for him. Brian Geraghty was slightly over-done, but it suited the role (Iraq war-vet that didn't come home quite right).

Overall, this film was chock-full of stereotypes and stayed rather cookie-cutter and predictable throughout. However, it was entertaining, and kept you going right until the end. Hence my rating of 8/10. It's not perfect by any means, but if you're not looking for substance, it's just a good entertaining film.