Review of True Romance (1993) by R F — 05 Aug 2011

2.5/4.0.

"True Romance" is a fantasy-esque action love story. The romance at its center seems overblown - probably, intentionally - and the action sequences are for the most part graphically violent. I did not find myself wholeheartedly loving the movie although its core plot elements are reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino movie, one of the few living filmmakers who can craft a truly entertaining movie. Tarantino wrote the screenplay for the movie (his second big screen effort after his great debut "Reservoir Dogs" a year earlier) but it is directed by Tony Scott. Thankfully, the movie does not feature the director's now-signature nauseating editing and directorial style but it is hard not to believe that the movie could have been taken to a whole other level if Tarantino had directed it. (Scott changed the darker ending Tarantino had written, which would have been far more effective, but probably Scott's ending more suits the movie's fantasy theme).

The movie opens in Detroit and centers on Clarence (Christian Slater), a comic book store clerk and (kung-fu) film buff who while watching a triple feature for his birthday at a cinema gets hit on by beautiful blonde Alabama (Patricia Arquette). After the two spend a great night and make love, Alabama reveals that she is a call girl whom his boss hired as a birthday present. It is a case of extreme love of a first sight and the two marry the next day.

An impediment to their happy life is Alabama's quirky pimp Drexl Spivey (Gary Oldman in a wicked role) who Clarence visits and kills, and grabs a bag that he assumes belongs to Alabama but only to find it filled with cocaine. And from then on the two go on the run when they learn that the murder is labeled as a drug-related killing and a mob is after them. They head to LA to try and sell the drugs and start a life.

A big part of the potential success of this movie has to do with the strength of the leads and their love story. I did not find myself rooting for them as much as one should and Slater and Arquette are just OK. Part of the problem is that they are overshadowed by a far stronger, A-list supporting cast (all in very brief roles) that alone makes this movie worth seeing. There's Oldman, Dennis Hopper in a heartfelt role as Clarence's security guard ex-police officer father, Christopher Walken as ruthless gangster Vincenzo Coccotti who is on the search for who stole the money (the scene between him and Hopper is one of the movie's best and most memorable), and Brad Pitt in a scene stealing role as Rapaport's stoner roommate. Others include Michael Rapaport as an aspiring actor friend of Clarence's, Saul Rubinek as a film producer, James Gandolfini as one of Coccotti's henchmen who shares a violent encounter with Alabama, and Tom Sizemore and Chris Penn as two LA cops. Val Kilmer delivers the voice of the apparition of Clarence's idol - none other than Elvis Presley - who guides all his actions and is sort of his conscience.