Review of Strange Days (1995) by James W — 25 Sep 2007

Around 1998-99 there were a lot of movies popping up about the end of the millennium and the terror that 'Y2K' would bring. Writer/Producer James Cameron tells exactly that story in Strange Days, but does so long before it had ever evolved into a fad. From 1995, Strange Days is not a movie fueled by hype or short-term popularity, but instead by the solid science fiction and interesting storytelling that mark Cameron's best work.

Director Kathryn Bigelow is most comfortable around character-driven pictures. Where her earlier release, Point Break, failed and Strange Days succeeds is that this movie has interesting and powerful characters brought to the screen by strong actors. This is Bigelow in her element.

Angela Bassett is a standout. She provides the best performance of her career as a tough, articulate and good-willed security professional. She could really have been given her own movie. She is in no way whatsoever a stereotype, and never feels half-written. Juliette Lewis defines her screen presence for us right here, too. The slutty, crude and ignorant performance she gives for Strange Days is what she does best. Lewis wears the part like skin.

This movie is R rated for good reason, particularly because of the sexual content. But the story never disappears into being about just that. It deals instead with racial conflict. And though the issues are bigger in theory than onscreen, the story comes across as one man's attempt to help the struggle against such issues without daring to solve them completely on his own. Because we all know he could never manage that.

This is not a dumb picture. It wants to challenge viewers and there is a lot going on. That may make it frustrating at times, but this movie is still a must-see. Hate it, love it -- there are all kinds in this world.

But you must try it.