Review of U Turn (1997) by Stuart K — 05 Sep 2012
An underrated film from Oliver Stone, and for a change, one that doesn't tackle Vietnam, politics or the media. this one was based on a book by John Ridley, who also did the screenplay. Done with a hazy, offbeat tone, like Natural Born Killers (1994), this is a modern film-noir, filtered through Stone's hyperkinetic style of direction, and it's one of a kind if anything.
Bobby Cooper (Sean Penn) is a drifter with a bag full of money which is is transporting to California, after his radiator hose blows out, he finds himself stuck in the town of Superior, Arizona, and it's offbeat residents, including sultry beauty Grace (Jennifer Lopez) and her unhinged husband Jake (Nick Nolte).
Bobby soons finds luck is not in his favour in this town. he loses the money, he's ripped off when he tries to get the car repaired and he gets on the bad side of the towns people., and then Jake asks Bobby to do to kill his wife, Grace, but matters are further complicated when Grace asks Bobby to kill Jake, now he's stuck between the two of them, and he has to make a decision real soon.
The supporting players shine, with Powers Boothe as a drunken sheriff, Clare Danes as a local beauty, Joaquin Phoenix as her psychopathic boyfriend, Billy Bob Thornton as a hick mechanic and Jon Voight as a blind war veteran, Stone's latest film Savages (2012), has been compared to U Turn's visual energy, but it's very atmospheric, very offbeat and off the wall, but it has a great score by Ennio Morricone too.
This review of U Turn (1997) was written by Stuart K on 05 Sep 2012.
U Turn has generally received positive reviews.
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