Brian De Palma's FEMME FATALE

[Danreiter]

Is anyone, besides me, looking forward to this movie?

[James Logan]

I'm looking forward to it too. First because it looks exactly like the kind of movie De Palma is best at directing, and second because it has what seems like a good cast to me (Antonio Banders and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos). Oh yeah, and a part of it takes place in good ol' Paris, where I live, so that's something, too.

[Fergus]

I'm looking forward to it very much so, only because of the trailer and mildly interesting plot, not because I love De Palma. I've just read over at Dark Horizons that Warner Bros. has just picked up the film and plans to release it November 4th here in the States. This is exciting. One more film to the must see list of 2002. Cool, cool, cool.

[This message has been edited by Fergus (edited 08-12-2002).]

[Moviefan1234]

Looks like a very interesting film. Is it getting a wide release in the States or just a limited release?

[therealjohng]

I think it's wide. It's freakin De Palma, why wouldn't it be wide?

Fucking amazing trailer. A must see!

[the movie guy]

I have sneak preview passes to this movie for tomorrow so I'll give you my opinion on the movie then, if you'd like.
I have seen the foreign trailer and it definately looks cool, so I'm expecting a good movie. We'll see come tomorrow though! : )
(Also, to respond to another gentleman's question... I think it'll actually get about an 800 screen release, at least to begin with, but I can't remember where I heard that so I could be wrong.)

[Lazy Boy]

I think De Palma's a good director, and not a rip-off artist as many have labeled him. Sure, he's made some crap, but he's also done some real good, in a guilty pleasure way, movies. This one sounds interesting. The location in Paris looks to be a great setting.

[the movie guy]

So I saw this last night in a private screening like I said I would and, boy, what a movie. It is about Rebecca Romijn-Stamos' character trying to start a new life after betraying her crime partner out of a bunch of diamonds and sending him to jail. She marries and all is going well until her husband decides to become the US ambassador for France (where she did her crime previously) and it throws her into the paparatzi limelight. With only a short time till her old crime partner gets out of jail looking forward to exacting revenge on her, she knows she can't have pictures of her in newspapers because "bad guys read newspapers too". Enter Antonio Banderas. He's a retired paparatzi and he is hired once more by a random somebody to get a picture of her. He does and now Rebecca's fucked because her old partner sees it, therefore, he knows where to find her. The question then lies in, IS she fucked? Does she have a plan? Who's on top of who in this game of cat and mouse? And, mostly, is there more to the story than meets the eye?
There are twists upon twists upon twists upon twists and the last one is a biggie. Earlier when I said "Boy, what a movie." I never said a GOOD movie... Well, actually, there is greatness in the first 100 minutes due to some awesome camerawork, lighting, shot compositions, scenery, split screens, slo mo, VERY sexy Rebecca Romijn stripteases and sex with Antonio, suspense and some exciting music.
Where the problem lies is in the last 20 minutes, which, I prey to GOD they change before releasing it. Yes, many people DID walk out. This movie has a slow pace throughout as well and, while that doesn't bother me, could also turn people off. Antonio's acting was great, Rebecca's was just OK (she works with a French accent) and, no, she is not a "good guy", which I guess people should already know considering the movie's title, but I'm just saying that she is not the one you root for. I would suggest still checking it out when it hits theatres because I think DePalma will get the message from all of the people at the screening and decide to re-edit the ending. The version I saw I would have to give a C+. I hope what ends up in theatres can be closer to an A-, which is what I had considered giving it up until the end twist arrived.

[Prue]

This is one I have been looking forward to as well. Thanks for the review.

[the movie guy]

No problem, Prue. I hope YOU aren't disappointed though if that ending stays for the release.