appealing_talent

To say that this film was a long awaited sequel to the original "Blade Runner" really goes w/o saying. Unfortunately - for me - despite having the lead role played by a favorite actor, this overly ambitious - affectedly grand - movie left me as cold as the frigid replicant who ultimately caused Ryan Gosling's demise. To be fair the special effects were pretty and fans of such will be awed. However, they don't make up for the very thin plot and depressing darkly photographed, somewhat steampunk industrial styled, landscapes. The ultra modernistic interiors were a slightly toned down version of the same style, except for Harrison Ford's hideout. Everyone was busy being either very earnest or very obtuse and it was all done at a slowly plodding pace. Simply put, at the end of this deliberately 'atmospheric' piece, I was completely underwhelmed.

Zachary Scott, who was arguably the king of Film-Noir villainous cads, is up to his old tricks in this dark tale of humiliation and revenge. He seduces and abruptly fires his new secretary, a high strung, vulnerable Phyllis Thaxter. But then she valiantly plans and executes her special brand of retaliation. Her payback is possibly more degrading than the various and sundry ways old Zachary 'bit the dust' in those '40s movies, such as "Mildred Pierce" and "Flamingo Road." Both actors were nothing short of brilliant in their characterizations and the train ride was especially intense. This episode remains my favorite not only because of the story, but also because of the perfectly cast players for those two roles.

Please don't get the idea that this review will be an awful one, due to using that word in the subject line. On the contrary, this episode has turned out to be my very favorite of the whole series. From the very beginning it captured my interest and as the plot unfolded all the elements involved flowed in a natural cohesive pattern. Unlike some of the others, this story was devoid of clever subterfuges that lead into convoluted labyrinths and then out again. There were no 'red herrings' or false leads and since the two guest stars were notable actors it was apparent, right from the start, who at least one of the perpetrators was. The acting was superb and their characters were as perfectly matched, as they were when together years earlier, in the terrific movie "Breaking Away," as father and son. This time, though, they brought a twisted malevolence, which fairly seethed of intense selfishness, greed and an almost palpable lack of humanity. Kudos to whoever thought of casting Dennis Christopher and Paul Dooley in the parts.