Judas Kiss

What I really like about this movie is that the kidnapers generally show some intelligence...a rare thing in films. They don't have many of the film clichés that plague this types of films--they don't openly fight showing little or no cohesion, a rift isn't created in which the hostage can exploit to get away, and they don't fall for the "stall them and tell them it takes more time" ploys. The only two discernable "stupid criminal" clichés I noticed was opening up the case and gawking at the money in the gateway car and stopping the car to get another cell phone battery from the trunk...but there are other reasons for that. I also like the way Rickman's and Thompson's characters play off each other...it's fun to watch.

Here we have a thoroughly satisfactory crime caper of the film noir variety. The plot has the usual ingredients – greed, sex, betrayal and revenge – but nicely blended and all proceeding at a reasonably fast pace. The casting of two serious British actors, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, as a couple of down-at-heel Southern cops is a bit weird, but it works. There's Coco, a gorgeous young femme fatale (Carla Gugino) and three other offbeat young crims, a steamy, authentic New Orleans setting, a kidnap gone wrong (a bystander is shot), hints of police corruption and a tense finale.

The kidnap victim, played by Greg Wise (Emma's real-life partner, apparently) is a Bill Gates-like computer billionaire, though a lot better-looking, who is totally at a loss away from his keyboard – he spends most of his captivity quivering in a corner. I thought it was quite a neat trick to set his ransom at the level of his company's kidnap insurance cover - if you don't have to bear the loss you will be more likely to agree to the kidnapper's demand. The shot bystander turns out to have been the wife of a US senator, played by Hal Holbrook. Hal can do nasty political types in his sleep, but he puts plenty of effort into this portrayal.

Our own Aussie Simon Baker-Denny as Coco's boyfriend and criminal associate brings plenty of cool to the role (a long way from the innocent young cop in E- Street) but Coco is the real stand-out. She's so hot you could fry eggs on her tummy yet she has a certain sense of innate decency that engenders sympathy.

I don't really care if the film was directed by some hot young Venezuelan novelist (Sebastian Gutierrez) who is a fan of Almovodar (whose influence seems to have been limited to the primary colours used in the credits). We've seen the story and the characters all before - this is a Hollywood formula movie freshly prepared and presented with lots of silly bits and there's never a dull moment. Heck, Jamaicans can do bob-sledding – why shouldn't foreigners take over Hollywood? Yet the movie went straight to cable in the US. Silly Yanks.

There are people who say it's sub-Tarantino.But I'm not a QT fan,by a long shot ,and I found this flick quite entertaining.There are enough twists to keep you interested throughout.My favorite is Emma Thompson ,whose playing is very tongue-in- chick :I love the scene when she's reading peacefully her book while eating Chinese food while they are waiting for an important phone call.The title is justified too,but you will understand it only in the last third.

Hats off ,once again to Emma THompson,a first-class actress ,who agrees to play a supporting part and so lets lesser known actors shine a little bit.

Featuring a "Body Heat meets Pulp Fiction" plot, some delightful film moments, too easy performances from Rickman and Thompson, this first outing is solid and stylish. Well-written dialogue is delivered by a sexy young cast in a hit and run series of well-composed scenes. Political intrigue mixes with sexual dynamics against a crime and crisis backdrop. New Orleans provides historical richness to contrast high-tech communications tricks on the part of the kidnap gang. Recommended...

Came across this film recently after so long hearing about it. It is an excellent not pretentious movie for people who loves film noir literature and films. Not "camp" but humorous.

GREAT CAST! From the magnificent Carla Gugino and Emma Thompson to German superstar Til Schweiger, this movie is a feast for the eyes. Alan Rickman is very funny as the antagonist of gang. Would love to see spin off movie with this character and Emma Thompson solving cases and arguments between them all the time (much like Tracy and Hepburn, etc.)

Intelligent story, nice twists and scope photography (don't watch unless it is scope because compositions are very rich).

Sexy sexy sexy and very fun time.

Best use of Just Like Heaven by The Cure ever (must see to believe!)

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