Oh Terence...

The Limey(dir. Steven Soderbergh)
It feels like an interesting experiment not reaching it's full potential. Most of the conversations are intercut with future or past conversations creating a sense of unity that is strange and bewildering. The film never dwells on the supporting characters that much adding a sense of mystery and paranoia. The film's biggest problem is that it feels it is attempting to be Point Blank, but doesn't have Lee Marvin to add emotional weight to a fairly sadistic man. Point Blank has a sense of humor about it's story, which deals with a man who (almost?) singlehandlely takes down a syndicate for a lousy $60,000. Lee Marvin's Walker's mission had some reasoning since he is bent on revenge for being betrayed by his wife and best friend in a robbery. Terence Stamp's Wilson, however, doesn't have a clear drive. Sure, his daughter died and he wants to find out more, but he seems so bent on the idea that Peter Fonda's character killed her that he fantasizes about killing him in front of a room full of guests. There is a certain sadism to his character that is compelling, but leaves the viewer feeling distant from him. The best scene in the film is when he goes back into a garage and shoots three men in daylight. The shootings are never shown and is quite chilling. The ending brings you closer to the character, but Point Blank is a better movie that has a similar story and themes. This movie was still really good.
***1/2 out of ****