Review of True Lies (1994) by Tristan P — 07 Jul 2013

For an Arnold Schwarzenegger action-comedy film, this feels much more like the French thriller it's based on and less like a cheesy, over-the-top slaughter. James Cameron wrote and directed this film, and he makes another blockbuster action film feel like legitimate entertainment.

There's a satiric intelligence and thoughtful touch to this film, and though filled with terrorism and political themes, it's less about a secret agent and more about a marriage. The gimmick of the film is that mild mannered salesman Harry Tasker is secretly an agent for the United States' government and hides it well from his wife and daughter.

Most of the film follows this husband and wife around, as a series of misfortunate choices and misguided attempts at being truthful and/or provocative, keep the pair at odds. In a series of events that one would call morally questionable, Harry follows his wife as she tries to find a sense of danger in her life.

This lends to the narrative of the terrorist leader launching an attack on the US for senseless violence overseas. Even though much of this revolves around some very farfetched ideas, and the antagonist is outrageous, it's Cameron at his most divisive and calculated.

He knows what feels right in an action film, and even tries his hand at comedy, and that isn't always easy. Much of what makes this enjoyable solely lies in the performance of Jamie Lee Curtis, who is both right as the suburban mother and surveyor of action, and as the seductress.

While Schwarzenegger does the job of action hero to credit as always that's all that can be said. As always there isn't much difference between this and any other Schwarzenegger performance, though he is perfect for this film, even if the role certainly calls for an American.

Mostly it's a film to watch and go agog at the timeless special effects and fight scenes, and even for a chuckle once in a while.