Review of True Crime (1999) by Marie-Pier D — 06 Jul 2009

This film must have been made during a brief period where Clint Eastwood was overly cocky. I mean... he was 69 when this movie was made and in it, he was a suave sex-for-breakfast James Bond type. I mean geez...

On to the film... it was another flick where Eastwood didn't steal the show. Much like Costner did in A Perfect World, Isaiah Washington made me a fan tonight. He embodied the role of a convicted man living his last few days with such emotion and talent that you're heart went out to him. When the hint comes out that he may be innocent, you feel excitement at the fact that this man can be free. As time goes on, and the end comes near, you worry that maybe, he just won't be found innocent on time. He really did a great job and this movie should be seen for his performance alone.

Eastwood, aside from the first part of this review, is still gold. He switches gears big time here and plays a journalist. The first film, I believe, I've seen of his where he doesn't carry a gun at some point. It works really well and he comes off convincingly strong as an aging reporter who has a knack for finding out the truth and digging himself into a hole.

James Woods and Denis Leary co-star and are hardly in the film, but Woods brings great humor to the story that lightens it up once in a while... especially on the topic of whether or not other guys' wives are good in bed.

With all movies however, there are flaws and in this one it was the ol' rushed ending. The movie is well drawn out like most Eastwood flicks but when it comes time to deliver the grand finale, it's come and gone faster than you realize. While the ending no doubt pays off, it just seems there could have been a bit more Isaiah Washington filler in the end, instead of just Eastwood buzz.

Other than that, this film gives you a great suspense flick where you cry for the victim and cheer for the hero... even if he is a partial drunk. See it today and lead a fullfilling life.