I appreciate that 'White Fire' kicks off with a scene of action-adventure. I also appreciate that the movie has no illusions about what it is; we are informed from the very start that this is a B-movie. While I suppose one could argue for either sincere effort versus tongue-in-cheek goofiness, it seems clear to me that almost everything is crafted to be only Just Enough. In how scenes are written and in how they're executed, this belongs to a subset of genre flicks where flimsy, sometimes ham-fisted dialogue is inserted in an attempt to boost the sense of urgency about action violence that is distinctly staged. Scenes effectively convey their course of events, sure, but without any meaningful thrills, impact, or genuineness. I'm unsure which is more dubious and unconvincing - Jean-Marie Pallardy's direction, or the scene writing in a screenplay variably attributed to Pallardy himself, or to Ted Francis.
Just when we're granted a fleeting moment of enticing value, in the next instant that potential worth is undercut by one means or another. Scenes that by their content should impart great emotional weight are bereft, and forced, especially with the accompaniment of an 80s rock ballad. Blood and gore is generally simply adequate, and sometimes plainly seems a bit much - though in fairness, other practical effects including explosions look good. Nudity is only ever gratuitous - and for the ways in which it's employed in at least a couple instances, altogether questionable. Characters seem to be free of the burdens of noteworthy intelligence or feeling - or maybe that's a flaw with the acting. Perhaps I'm overly generous, yet not least of all in light of how lackadaisical and flailing Pallardy's direction is at large, I'm inclined to think the often less than credible performances can be chalked up less to a failure of the cast, and more to the filmmaker's unmistakably feeble guidance. Delivery, expressions, and basic movements and individual actions mirror the scene writing with blunt portrayal and disingenuous, unnatural pacing. This isn't to say that the acting is all bad; I feel like Belinda Mayne in particular sometimes offers up some gratifying heart when it's needed most. But, for the most part, she stands alone.
Even Jon Lord's upbeat score, broadly defined with 80s album rock sensibilities and instrumentation, tends to echo the ham-handed, "Yep, this is definitely a good take, let's move on" slant of this action-adventure romp. So it is with the camerawork, too. On the other hand, filming locations are fetching at times, and the attention for hair and wardrobe, and I admire the ambition reflected in these and the set design; one is led to think that to some degree 'White Fire' cheekily tried to mimic James Bond. And, why - okay, the scene writing is suspect, characters are lacking, and dialogue is outright hackneyed at points. However, in concept I think there are good ideas in the narrative; the pursuit of a valuable MacGuffin by diamond smugglers and various criminals holds promise, and there is still other minor cleverness in the tale that could have been teased out into bolder, more engrossing directions.
At the same time, the plot begins to fall apart in the details. It's not always clear how certain characters or extras become involved, or why the scene shifts to a particular location. There are absolutely times when the course of events just doesn't feel cohesive - including the climax, which comes and goes rather abruptly. Above all, though - wholly bizarre and worse than any of this - is male protagonist Bo's relationship with his sister Ingrid; his reactions to her and to another woman, Olga, that enters the story; and the direly unbelievable emotions that are or are not felt throughout it all. I don't wish to betray plot points here, but suffice to say that I was wholly flabbergasted by this aspect of the feature. It could have used to build a different kind of story, but not in a picture as direct as this one is.
This isn't all bad. It's passably entertaining, in its own way, and I see what the film could have been in more capable hands. Yet that's just it - Pallardy's contribution as director is more harm than help, the writing in a mess in every way, and actors mostly can't break through the constraints placed on them. And, once more for emphasis, the dynamics between Bo and Ingrid, and especially between Bo and Olga, are mind-blowing to the point of being problematic. What IS this movie?
There's no reason at all to go out of your way for 'White Fire,' but if you happen to come across it, there are worse ways to spend 100 minutes. Anyone considering a view just certainly needs to bear in mind inarguable deficiencies and indelicacies that detract significantly from the entertainment on hand.
