Review of Conspiracy (2000) by Jason C — 30 Jun 2010

Round two in my exploration of Kilmer's straight to DVD work. This is essensially a remake of Bad Day at Black Rock with Kilmer standing in for Spencer Tracy's character. Where that film had a great sense of economy when it came to narrative, this film tries to throw everything in. I give it some props for being surprisingly contemporary in it's plotline regarding southern border states and there insane attitudes toward illegal aliens, but it's not nearly enough to elevate this film past it's crap status. One genuine bright spot would the work of character actor Gary Cole as the heavy, he somehow, inexplicably, makes it through the film mostly intact.

Verdict on Val: I wish I could say he came out alright but he's really pretty bad. He literally does so little through the majority of the film that it's hardly a performance at all. He just stare seriously and says little. We're suppose to read pathos and a deeply troubled relationship with the past (a military history not worth going into despite its 'importance' to the plot) but really all I could see was a lazy actor in a bad role. You're making it very hard for me to continue to defend you Mr. Kilmer, I hope this doesn't make me hate you.