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Believe everything except your eyes
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Rick Santoro is a small-time, loud-dressing, loud-mouthed, sleaze-ball, Atlantic
City cop turned Columbo after an assassination attempt on the Secretary
of Defense at a heavyweight boxing match.
To discuss the plot further would be unfair; you have to be there to participate
in its unfolding which, in mere words, seems incredibly simplistic.
The film has been acclaimed as having the most intricate, longest, un-cut,
opening sequence ever filmed. I'm not sure that it was as pure as some
would have us believe, however, the film is far too captivating to spend time
worrying over, or looking for, technical tricks as immersion in the plot begins.
What De Palma has pulled-off is a superb opening sequence which is astounding,
retaining focus on the central characters whilst showing what is happening all
around; and what's happening is important.
It takes directorial skill to make the audience see what's going on in the
middle of a crowd without drawing attention to it; De Palma has achieved this
feat brilliantly. The obligiatory flash-backs are well handled and unfold the plot elegantly.
The ending was a little weak and, by that time, expected. The post-script
successfully counter-balanced that. Even the end credits were captivating; by
then you'll be watching everyone and anyone in anticipation of something more.
An excellent, conspiratorial, who-done-it.
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