Review of Frantic (1988) by Jacob G — 03 Jun 2011
Like most Roman Polanski films I enjoyed Frantic. However, he makes several key errors which really sets the movie back and makes it a lesser Polanski work.
First, Frantic is way too long at 2 hours. Tighten the movie up and dial it back to about an hour and a half and it would work a lot better. They do so much dashing back and forth that it shouldn't be too hard to streamline everything rather effectively.
Second, Polanski mixes up the order of several key plot elements. The current chronological set-up is just confusing and awkward. Instead of having Action A precede Discovery A, make Discovery A precede Action A. Whether Polanski had a reason for doing it this way I don't know... but it doesn't work.
Otherwise Frantic is a solid Harrison Ford-type mystery/thriller. Nothing too intense, nor boring. Increased stakes would have made the other errors less noticeable, but I don't subscribe to the idea that a plot has to deliver thrills and chills at every turn to be good.
This review of Frantic (1988) was written by Jacob G on 03 Jun 2011.
Frantic has generally received positive reviews.
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