Review of U Turn (1997) by Galen A — 14 Dec 2007
Underrated Oliver Stone piece of neo-noir. Sometimes it seems a little pretentious but I'm used to that with Oliver Stone and it's not unbearably pretentious either. Just a few too many art-house shots.
It was very well filmed with some nice desert cinematography. A grainy film stock with high levels of light and some disorienting camera work create a nice and appropriate expressionist tilt. Also the acting in this film is phenomenal! Sean Penn is ok but Billy Bob Thornton is fantastic as a devious redneck mechanic, Nick Nolte plays his part well, Jon Voight is completely unrecognizable as a blind indian panhandler, Joaquin Phoenix also gets into character well enough to disappear as a redneck tough guy wannabe, and Jennifer Lopez also gives a solid performance and is more beautiful in this film than I have ever seen her.
The plot however has a few two many twists and double crosses and by the end it is pretty tiresome and easy to get lost. Still suspense full and it works as a decent noir. Overall, a gem of a film.
This review of U Turn (1997) was written by Galen A on 14 Dec 2007.
U Turn has generally received positive reviews.
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