Saturday, November 12, 2022
Internal Affairs
- Commentary: Despite its meager but complimentary review-of-sorts in the Reception section of this movie's Wikipedia write-up, the truth is, it's hard to find a review of this movie, let alone a positive review. This surprises me because I saw the movie sometime between its release in theaters and 1993, on home video, and I still remember it, still remember enjoying it, so much so that, when I was reminded of it a few days ago when ordering The Infernal Affairs Trilogy, I decided to purchase a copy.
Regarding the all-over-the-map reviews of this movie, metacritic collates a score of "generally favorable reviews". The Los Angeles Times has a muddled write-up, praising some aspects of the movie while excoriating others, as does the WAPO review attached to the title of this post.
I was introduced to this movie by my next door neighbor in Seattle who managed (and, later, owned) a video rental store. I was riveted. So was she, I might add, although she'd seen the movie more than a few times. I have not seen this movie since. I've been reminded of it a lot throughout the intervening years, just not when I was renting or buying videos. Now, that situation has been corrected, I'm pleased to say. I'm really looking forward to Richard Gere's delightfully smarmy performance of a disgustingly smarmy cop.
Once I receive the movie and watch it, again, I'm sure I'll be back, so, consider this post under construction.
Update 11/15/22: I've been watching this movie throughout the night, on again, off again. I was not disappointed! It is full of thrilling suspense. The acting is solid. The storytelling is point-by-point and leaves no holes through which the watcher might fall at the end. The entire movie is rather like looking at a crooked smile. When you turn away you're still a bit on edge, but you know the crookedness is "right", the only way, really, it could be. I remembered my first watch of it as deeply satisfying, and, just so, it was, again. And, man, I gotta tell ya, those late 80's-early 90's clothes and hair styles! What a treat! I'd forgotten that's what people who were considered part of "the professional class" wanted to, and did, look like back then! I'm glad I obtained this movie. I'll definitely be watching this again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Gere Ofc Dennis Peck Andy García Sgt Raymond Avilla Nancy Travis Kathleen Avilla Laurie Metcalf Sgt Amy Wallace Annabella Sciorra Heather Peck William Baldwin Ofc Van Stretch Faye Grant Penny Stretch Elijah Wood Sean Stretch
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Mike Figgis.
Labels: action4, andy-garcía, detective1, laurie-metcalf, loose-cannon-cop, neo-noirB, popcorn-and-soda7, richard-gere
