filmklassik
Ordinary crime film masquerading as Cold War spy thriller. Costner plays an ambitious young Naval officer thrilled at the chance to be working for Defense Secretary Hackman. What Costner doesn't know is, Hackman is the sugar daddy of the woman he's been sleeping with - Sean Young. When Hackman kills Young in a fit of rage, he and his aide (Will Patton) cook up a plan: They'll float a story that Young was murdered by a legendary (and possibly non-existent) Soviet spy named Yuri who, rumor has it, has infiltrated the highest levels of D.C. power, and they'll put Costner in charge of flushing him out. When Costner's investigation proves fruitless (as it must), Young's death will go down as just another tragedy in the annals of Cold War intrigue.But things aren't what they seem...Fine acting by Hackman (of course), Costner and Patton can't overcome the ridiculous story contrivances, starting with Costner and Young going at it in the back of a limo less than 5 minutes after they meet. (Sorry, kids, but that simply doesn't happen in the real world).The dialogue is hit and miss. Sometimes it's witty - and sometimes you cringe:YOUNG: "Send me postcards from your exotic ports of call. That's what they call them, isn't it - exotic ports of call?"COSTNER: "A port's a port. You're exotic."There's a twist at the end that is 1) set up deftly and honestly in the early going, and 2) has absolutely nothing to do with the main mystery. The movie doesn't need it. Indeed, the novel this film is based on, "The Big Clock" by Kenneth Fearing, doesn't even have it, and it works just fine. 7 out of 10.
Wuchak
RELEASED IN 1987 and directed by Roger Donaldson, "No Way Out" is a political drama/thriller starring Keven Costner as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy who falls in love with a woman of dubious morality (Sean Young) and is thrust into a cover-up/witch hunt after a tragedy. Gene Hackman plays his "boss" at the Pentagon, the Secretary of Defense, while Will Patton appears as the Secretary's loyal and diligent assistant.This remake of 1948's "The Big Clock" makes great use of Washington DC & surrounding area (e.g. Arlington) with sweet opening and closing aerial views. The Pentagon is a focal point with much of the drama taking place in that iconic building. There's a worthy surprise in the plot so pay attention.Roger Ebert overrated this movie in 1987, giving it a perfect rating. The first half is a great setup, but the second half is merely okay and sometimes comes off as a TV production, verging on amateurish (you'll see what I mean). The photo that the computer slowly materializes is a particularly quaint element; and the distinctly 80's score doesn't help.Still, there's enough good here to make "No Way Out" worth checking out if it sounds appealing to you. Although Hackman is almost wasted in a role where he is relegated to sitting around looking concerned, Patton's passionate work makes up for it; Costner and Young too.THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 54 minutes and was shot in DC, Virginia (Arlington & Alexandria), Maryland (Annapolis) and the Toronto airport. WRITERS: Kenneth Fearing (novel) and Robert Garland (screenplay).GRADE: B-/C+
LeonLouisRicci
The First Act Sex Scenes are Goofy, Loony and Overdone, going on way too Long. Sean Young's Seductress is Hammy, Overdressed, and Badly Acted. The Music is Dated and the Slick, Brightly Lit, Beginning is Baked Beyond the Ding of the Timer.Kevin Costner, before He became an Uncontrollable Egomaniac and Ruined the Middle of an A-List Career (in later years came back to earth and has become respectable again), is Fine, Fit, and Oddly Handsome. Unlike His Female Co-Star it is a Believable Performance. The Movie really doesn't Heat Up Until the Second Act despite Director Donaldson's Heavy Hand in the First almost taking the Thing to an Absurd Level that Betrays its Noir Roots.Gene Hackman Underplays as the Secretary of Defense and Will Patton Overplays as His Confidant and Adviser. Hackman is Virtually Wallpaper Observing from the Background. The Supporting Cast Settle in and the Film Finds its Footing in Confined Confusion with Twists and Turns, Suspense and Intrigue.Overall, it's an Overrated Reagan-Era Yuppie Yarn of Power and Politics that is Superficial but Entertaining Enough and is Above Average for its Type from the Era. It doesn't quite Reach the Heights of the Tom Clancy Inspired Movies but is Worth a Watch Nonetheless.
SnoopyStyle
Commander Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is a naval officer who is being interrogated. Six months earlier, Farrell got involved with Susan Atwell (Sean Young) without knowing that she's the mistress to the secretary of defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). He's starting a new job under Brice working with an old friend Scott Pritchard (Will Patton). Eventually Farrell finds out that Brice is the other man. A jealous Brice strikes Susan off the balcony to her death. Pritchard works to cover it up and find the other lover who is a possible witness. There is a negative to a Polaroid under the bed and Pritchard claims it as a photo of a KGB mole. Farrell is put in charge as Sam Hesselman (George Dzundza) tries to regenerate the photo.It's a terrific noir thriller. Once the movie turns into an investigation, the paranoia and the intensity ramp up multiple folds. It's like a runaway train. It's an exciting psychological thriller without the action scenes. With this, Kevin Costner is on his way to becoming the biggest star in Hollywood.
AD
