True Romance review by Da Bonghit
I'm not sure I remember what I'm supposed to do here -- so I hope this is at least somewhat readable. Oh well, here goes nothin'.Summary
This movie is nothing more than a love story. At least that is what some video stores try to make you beleive by putting it in the Romance section (Mark Everest will testify to that). This has everything you look for in a movie; a hero to which we can relate, a chick, guns, drugs, cops and the mob.
Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) is a nobody in Detroit-City working in a comic shop, not quite content with his life. In steps Alabama (Patricia Arquette), his birthday present from his boss (not a bad gift, by the way). They fall madly in love after one night. Problem is, she is a call girl. Clarence decides to liberate 'Bama from her pimp Drexl (Gary Oldman) and ends up with a suitcase of cocaine. He and 'Bama head from Detroit to L.A. to sell the stuff and live off the cash. Needless to say, the coke belongs to the Mob. Of course, they come after the Newlyweds; did I mention Clarence and 'Bama got married? Well, they did.
Cut to L.A.. Clarence hooks up with long-time best-friend Dick Ritchie (Michael Rapaport) who is trying to break into Hollywood. The aspiring actor sets up the deal with a friend-of-a-friend, a One Hit Wonder of a movie producer. It all seems pretty easy. You steal some coke, head to L.A., sell the stuff and live happily ever after with your new wife.
DVD Features
I waited and waited for a "Stacked" DVD release; like all of the other Tarentino sets. None came. At least, not until I bought the generic version (DAMN!). This one has the standard stuff; subtitles, jump to scene. It also has a little commentary that you can read. Nothing Special.
Anaylsis
I love this movie, but what else is new. There are a ton of cameos in this movie and they all play their parts wonderfully. You have Dennis Hopper as Clarence's father who has a nice little chat with Christopher Walken, "Don" Vincenzo, about history and family heritage. A GREAT scene. Bronson Pinchot (Balki from Perfect Strangers) is Dick Ritchie's acting school buddy who sets up the "deal" with his movie producer boss. Michael Rapaport does a fantastic job in his audition for The New T.J. Hooker with Bill Shatner -- "Where the fuck did he come from?" James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) plays a Mob hitman. Val Kilmer plays Elvis, Clarence's mentor, according to IMDB. Brad Pitt is Floyd, Dick Ritchie's lazy, high-on roommate. I think this one of Pitt's best performances.
Tony Scott (Top Gun) does a good job with this Quinten Tarentino screenplay and gets solid performances from everyone from the main players to the bit parts. The movie moves quickly and develops the characters on the fly. Fortunately, the characters all seem to fit. I found myself liking all of them and caring about Clarence and Alabama.
I can't forget about the scenery. L.A. is shown in many movies, but how many show you the wonderful downtown Detroit area? Drexl's great digs, the comicbook shop, Clarence's father's "riverside" condo? I still lock the doors whenever I'm on Montcalm Ave., thanks to Drexl.
Final Thoughts
Besides the fact that I'll have to buy the Enhanced DVD when it comes out, this is a great purchase. It really is a romance-of-sorts. Love and money. Getting out of town and starting a new life with a new wife. Isn't that everyone's dream? ok, minus the drugs and the mob, maybe.
I'm done. Do what you've gotta do.
Special Jackass Bonus: MP3 of the True Romance Ending Music
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