True Romance: Wow, what a cast. Denis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, James Gandolfini, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt and Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport and a cast against type Bronson Pinchot and I'm not sure if Val Kilmer has a screen credit for his cool role.
This movie does not strive to be an epic of cinematography, story or acting. It is however fantastic at being larger than life in a comic book sense of the idea. This movie, for which Tarantino only gets a script development credit, was written by Tarantino and then altered by Director Tony Scott – which resulted in disagreements and ultimately the credit ‘demotion.’
Plot – very simple plot. Clarence’s boss sends a call girl to intercept him at the movies, where he always goes on his birthday. Clarence (Pitt) is met by Alabama (Arquette) in a Sonny Cheeba triple feature – she dumps popcorn all over him. By the end of the night she admits that she’s a call-girl but in love with Clarence and has decided to leave her pimp Drexyl, played lovingly by Gary Oldman. {Now, we’ve already seen how nasty Drexyl is. In an opening scene Drexyl and his buddy Marty kill two drug dealers (one of which was played by Samuel L. Jackson – who has some amusing – if not ridiculously stereotyped – lines) for a suitcase full of Cocaine.}
Clarence, in his infinite wisdom, decides to go to Drexyl’s house to retrieve Alabama’s possessions. Clarence by the way has occasional visits from the king – no – The King, ELVIS. Elvis gives Clarence the confidence to do the deed to Drexyl – and he, “always liked you Clarence, always will.” A fight ensues and Clarence kills Drexyl – but not before some really amusing dialogue and loud gunshots to extremely private areas – it is over the top in the extreme. Drexyl’s place is so unbelievably Detroit Ghetto Pimpin’ as to be surreal.
What’s next? You guessed it. Clarence grabs the suitcase full of cocaine. Clarence visits his Dad (Hopper) whom he hasn’t seen in years. He’s an ex-cop with friends on the force who can get information. Clarence and Alabama decide to hit the road and visit a friend in California (played by Rapaport) who can help them peddle the blow to a “big time” movie producer.
Now, people who lose a suitcase full of cocaine are unlikely to be happy about that. Vincenzo Coccotti (Played by Christopher Walken) is General Counsel to “Blue Lou” Boyle – but doesn’t mind occasionally getting his hands dirty. The mob boys track Clarence to his Dad’s little shack – largely because his huge purple Cadillac convertible is so darn discreet; and something to do with where he left his driver’s license ;-) Hopper and Walken have one of the singularly most impressive exchanges I have ever seen on film. If you see just this scene it is worth the ticket price. “When you meet St. Peter you tell him you never saw evil so singularly personified as you did in the face of the man that killed you” – ouch! That’s just one of the great lines in this scene.
So, Walken send his bloodhounds after Clarence to California – lead by James Gandolfini – who brutally beats Arquette for the drugs – in a very ugly scene. Again, it is very over the top and may not be for the sensitive viewer – you’ve been warned.
Of courser the movie boils to a deal with Clarence selling the dope to the Producer when all hell breaks loose – and the feathers fly – literally.
The acting is of fine quality – some of it is amazing. He violence is extreme and loud – the dialogue brash and a bit testosterone driven – but it never takes itself seriously or pretends to be more than what you see. This movie gives you what you see – no hide the ball plot twists and no stunning conclusion. It can be predictable but it is never disappointing. So, you don’t wonder to yourself what is going to happen next as much as you wonder how, or how much. Watch it.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups