Alex, a piano playing assassin, gets a job as bodyguard in Capetown for Robert and his cute daughter, Erika. When Alex saves Robert 2nd time, they head for the mountains.Alex, a piano playing assassin, gets a job as bodyguard in Capetown for Robert and his cute daughter, Erika. When Alex saves Robert 2nd time, they head for the mountains.Alex, a piano playing assassin, gets a job as bodyguard in Capetown for Robert and his cute daughter, Erika. When Alex saves Robert 2nd time, they head for the mountains.
Simon Mabija
- Christo Nichol
- (as Simon Majiba)
Dominic Tyawa
- Gatsha Mlambo
- (as Mawonga Dominic Tyawa)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I have to admit, when I saw the cast, I did expect a lot more than what I got served. You could say it is a bit my fault for expecting ... but on the other hand I really do not know what to make of this movie overall.
The action is decent I guess .. but considering the people in front of the screen, you sometimes might wonder if there are amateurs at work. It has a couple of moments - and Dennis Hopper almost channels Gary Busey ... but not at his craziest level ... still quite mad. And the resolution/ending? Again not many words for that I can convey what ... it is ... what it tries to do - I know it does not succeed on any real level.
The action is decent I guess .. but considering the people in front of the screen, you sometimes might wonder if there are amateurs at work. It has a couple of moments - and Dennis Hopper almost channels Gary Busey ... but not at his craziest level ... still quite mad. And the resolution/ending? Again not many words for that I can convey what ... it is ... what it tries to do - I know it does not succeed on any real level.
I don't know what the other reviewers were expecting going into this movie.
One look at the DVD case or a minute of screen time reveals that this movie was not made on a Hollywood budget.....And as far as struisenburg's review, he was obviously half asleep for the duration of the movie as each question he poses was indeed answered. Perhaps it'd be better to watch it next time with your hand not on the FF button...
I was reminded of the fun b-action movies of the 1970s and 80s. The Target may be nothing ground-breaking, but as an action/crime buff I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dennis Hopper is a pleasure to watch as an aging criminal accountant forced to flee Capetown for the rural simplicity of his childhood village. All the while pursued by a crime boss with a mysterious mystical side. The first section of the film is an effective urban action/crime flick, and the remainder is part a genuinely charming rediscovery of life, and part Western.
Production values are not the highest, though they were able to snag some big names. Still, all the acting was effective if not exceptional. The location is the real star of the film. Having never been to South Africa I can't address the complaints of its residents, however I thought the scenery was beautiful and the culture was an interesting twist on a story that could just as well have taken place in New York. I was reminded of the
It's easy to rip apart a movie like this. But if you're a fan of action or crime movies, appreciative of exotic settings, and willing to overlook some less than stellar production values, it'll be well worth your time...
One look at the DVD case or a minute of screen time reveals that this movie was not made on a Hollywood budget.....And as far as struisenburg's review, he was obviously half asleep for the duration of the movie as each question he poses was indeed answered. Perhaps it'd be better to watch it next time with your hand not on the FF button...
I was reminded of the fun b-action movies of the 1970s and 80s. The Target may be nothing ground-breaking, but as an action/crime buff I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dennis Hopper is a pleasure to watch as an aging criminal accountant forced to flee Capetown for the rural simplicity of his childhood village. All the while pursued by a crime boss with a mysterious mystical side. The first section of the film is an effective urban action/crime flick, and the remainder is part a genuinely charming rediscovery of life, and part Western.
Production values are not the highest, though they were able to snag some big names. Still, all the acting was effective if not exceptional. The location is the real star of the film. Having never been to South Africa I can't address the complaints of its residents, however I thought the scenery was beautiful and the culture was an interesting twist on a story that could just as well have taken place in New York. I was reminded of the
It's easy to rip apart a movie like this. But if you're a fan of action or crime movies, appreciative of exotic settings, and willing to overlook some less than stellar production values, it'll be well worth your time...
It's one of my favorite movies, alongside with City of God, Emperor and Assassin, etc. And I don't know exactly why.
Well, it's not a masterpiece. But there's something what intrigued me very much.
First of all, this movie is (about) a journey. It's amazing journey of a cynical modern man. Journey to the childhood, the family, humanity, truth.
Second thing, which I very like in this movie, is atmosphere. There's something of "magic realism" of Africa/Latin America definitely.
When i visit IMDb, I was really surprised, how underrated is this movie. Maybe it's because the actors?
Well, it's not a masterpiece. But there's something what intrigued me very much.
First of all, this movie is (about) a journey. It's amazing journey of a cynical modern man. Journey to the childhood, the family, humanity, truth.
Second thing, which I very like in this movie, is atmosphere. There's something of "magic realism" of Africa/Latin America definitely.
When i visit IMDb, I was really surprised, how underrated is this movie. Maybe it's because the actors?
I rented this film expecting it to be like The Point Men, Vercingetorix and Lambert's latest crap films. But I was surprised it wasn't that bad. It runs at less then 90 minutes...although it can be a quite boring film (feels like 2 hours). The film tells the story of a rich lawyer (Dennis Hopper) who lives in South Africa and his life is in danger, some voodo/vodoo practicing crimelord wants him dead, so he (Hopper) brings in the help of Christopher Lambert to protect him. The film has a series of flashbacks which all make sense when you see the end of the film. There are some very beautiful shots of the South African landscape. I'll give this a 5.5/10, it's better then the latest turkeys Lambert has released on video lately and if you always thought of going to South Africa...this film might convince you to go.
South Africa is a country of great beauty and immense atmosphere. A great setting for an intelligent and suspenseful thriller one would say. If they just hadn't spoiled it! What can I say? Every time I rent a Lambert movie I'm being disappointed. This film strikes the viewer through a lack of acting talent, bad filming, awful music and no suspense whatsoever. The story is flat, predictable and makes no sense. There is no explanation of why the South African businessmen is being hunted by a criminal, nor why this guy is in prison or why he is being released. How did Robert Nile get into contact with Laney, know where to find him? The film gives no explanation as for the basic framework of the story. Instead minutes and minutes of the movie are covered by shots of the countryside the car's driving through. It's a film that is hard to stand, even when viewed in fast forward mode.
Did you know
- TriviaDiane Kruger's first role. She has stated in interviews that appearing alongside Dennis Hopper taught her how to act.
- GoofsWhen Robert Nile drives away in the desert, a man dressed in a white T-shirt is visible in the upper right corner of the screen.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dennis Hopper: Uneasy Rider (2016)
- How long is The Piano Player?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 34m(94 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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