True Romance (1993)
Directed by Tony Scott
Writing credits Quentin Tarantino
Christian Slater.... Clarence Worley
Patricia Arquette.... Alabama Whitman
Michael Rapaport.... Dick Ritchie
Val Kilmer.... Elvis, Mentor
Bronson Pinchot.... Elliot Blitzer
Dennis Hopper.... Clifford Worley
Gary Oldman.... Drexl Spivey
Brad Pitt.... Floyd
Tom Sizemore.... Cody Nicholson
Christopher Walken.... Vincenzo Coccotti
Samuel L. Jackson.... Big Don
Saul Rubinek.... Lee Donowitz
James Gandolfini.... Virgil
"True Romance" is one of my favorite movies. Christian Slater wins one for all of the B-movie, comic book loving guys out there. Like me! Just like me! He's a goober who works in a comic book store and starts dating a beautiful blonde (Patricia Arquette). They meet during a Sonny Chiba movie. 
She is the dream girl. A girl who can watch B-movies and likes comic books. Wow. Where can I find one? Unfortunately she is a hooker and Slater wants to settle business with her pimp. This leads to much violence and drug dealing as the two young lovers break out on their own and head to Hollywood. They want to unload a suitcase full of dope on L.A. to fund their getaway.
I think most people were scared away from this one because of the title. The title "True Romance" won't excite the bloodthirsty action fans. That's a shame because there is a ton of action in it. When Slater goes to negotiate with Alabama's pimp, (Oldman), things quickly get out of hand. Mucho carnage. There's another great scene where we get to see what Alabama is made of when Gandolfini corners her in a hotel room. It's a brutal fight for survival involving corkscrews, toilet covers and flammable hairspray.
"True Romance" is a very violent movie that's written as a love letter to B-movie fans. Movie references are sprinkled throughout the movie. Besides meeting Alabama at a Sonny Chiba triple feature, they also take the time to watch "A Better Tomorrow II". And she likes it! Now come on, is this a perfect woman or what? When Slater goes to visit Oldman, he's hanging out watching "The Mack". Slater knows he's got to take him out when he dares to question his movie knowledge. There are many other movie references as well. Too numerous to mention here.
Suffice to say, "True Romance" is a very cool movie. If you're a movie fan, it's a must see.
SCORE: 4 out of 4 because the B-movie geek fights to the death for his True Romance
Gary Oldman is great as king pimp daddy Drexl. He sets a high standard by which all future movie pimps shall be judged.
If they gave Oscars for bit parts, Hopper should have walked away with one. Everything about his performance is letter perfect. Look at that sad look of resignation in his eyes before he starts his speech -- the greatest fuck-off in movie history -- and then again as he enjoys what he knows will be the last taste of a cigarette. I know that everybody loves that scene, but there's so much there in the little details, and in the contrast between Walken's precise, mannered performance and Hopper's gut-level tour de force.
ReplyDeleteMY GIRL PATRICIA...LOVES THIS ONE 4-EVER!
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