Review of True Romance (1993) by Veronique K — 22 Jun 2011

Being in my top 5 of all time favorite films, True Romance commands the screen probably better than any film in the last 20 years. Bold statement? Give it another watch or a first watch if you haven't seen it. Love it, hate it, or just a so-so fan of it, there's no denying its transcendent appeal. Christan Slater has all but dropped off the screen into TV territory where he can't seem to get anything going. Patricia Arquett once held the helm of a modestly popular TV show but not has more or less dropped off into obscurity as well. But erasing all that, these two signified chemistry, defined swag and cool, and owned the youth of the early 90s.

This film holds up extremely well. From an early draft script from Quintin Tarantino Tony Scott rules this material. I would defend the statement that Tony Scott (if not QT himself) was born to direct Tarantino screenplays. At least way more than hack Oliver Stone who committed Hollywood screenplay murder on QT's Natural Born Killers script. Unlike Stone, Scott take the source material seriously and doesn't feel the need to inject his own personal beliefs and opinions on it. That's not to say that Scott didn't put his own style and stamp on it. That's what he does and that's why he's so great. He, unlike so many directors working today, has his very own visual style to every single shot. His own pacing and tone to every single cut. You always know you are watching a Tony Scott movie.

The acting is first rate with so many awesome character actors. You are spoiled rotten in this movie with all of the great performers doing their thing. One second you are watching one of the greatest character actors of the last 30 years in Gary Oldman killing his big monologue with such tour de force and conviction, you think to yourself how can it get any better than this. The next thing you know Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper are sitting in a room together exchanging what has become in many people's eyes as of one the all time greatest movie moments in cinema history.

Despite what you may thinking of the film, despite where you came from, what era you are living in, or what type of food you like, there is absolutely no denying the power that exists in True Romance. Its one of the true believers, a work of violent art and sassy dialogue that works on all levels. This film, though written before "Reservoir Dogs" was a great follow up project and prepare people for the following Summer's "Pulp Fiction".

There's no need getting into plot details, Its very simple. Two unconventional lovers are on a cross country road trip running from the Mob for whom they have stolen cocaine from on accident. They try and sell the coke in L.A. all hell breaks loose, boom. Its not the treatment that sold this film to the studios I am guessing. Its the screenplay. The exchanges between two intriguing characters in a unique setting that sold it. You seem to care about almost everyone you meet in this film no matter how small the role. That's hard for a film maker to do. Character understanding and simplicity if something that few film makers in this day and age care about. Christan Slater and Arquett own this movie. Especially Slater. One tends to forget these days exactly how dynamic and energetic he was as a young actor. If you were to compare him to the likes of the youthful hot bodied talent of today, its a no brainer who would win between him and Robert Pattinson.

The action is violent and hard and the pacing is spot on. The characters are crisp and deep and have real things to say. This film just works and entertains still to this day. Love this film.