Desperate Hours

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs This film was kind of dogged from the beginning in my opinion,as I was subconsciously aware that it was a remake of what could very well be a much superior film,albeit one that was well before my time (then again,so was Citizen Kane.)Well,having watched it,all I can hope is that it wasn't an imitation of what a poor film it already was. Mickey Rourke can play the smooth,menacing villain role practically in his sleep and Anthony Hopkins is always a reliable,if rather overly smug,leading man and both actors are given surprising sparkle and snazzy lines by the script.Sadly,none of this can make the film any less of an uninvolving,uncredible and deadly dull affair than it already is despite this couple of virtues.Michael Cimino directed the lengthy but thoroughly absorbing The Deer Hunter,a drama which sure had more thrills than this 'thriller' has.*

Mickey Rourke avoids going to trial and holds Anthony Hopkins, Mimi Rogers and their family hostage in this amazingly dull motion picture. Michael Cimino's prodding direction turns what could have been a "High Noon"-styled film into a difficult viewing experience. The film's greatest asset is the fact that it runs less than two hours. 2 stars out of 5.

A peculiar piece of entertainment, Michael Cimino's Desperate Hours feels rather odd for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is the off kilter performance of Lindsay Crouse as the FBI agent from another galaxy. Was that lady weird or what? I couldn't understand 50% of what she said throughout this very watchable mess of a movie. Not surprisingly, Cimino's pacing is somehow frustrating and gripping at the same time. This aspect of his films seem to linger in my memory for awhile. Fans of Kelly Lynch should realize that she's topless for much of her screen time. Finally, I found the score to be very unique in flavor. Most movies of this type have a dark, menacing soundtrack. The music here is often lush,ethereal sentimental even. Not much tension sustained, but this alternates nicely with the over the top performances of Rourke, Rogers and Hopkins. All in all I think this an enjoyable flick for those looking for something slightly different in their suspense movie.