Get Carter Movie Review:

Get Carter is a stylish thriller that ends up unresolved. Jack Carter (Stallone) is a Las Vegas hit man that no one wants to encounter. Jack is a cold man that doesn't have much dignity or heart. However, when his brother is killed in a drunk driving accident, Jack returns home to Seattle and begins to restore feelings which have been lost for a long time. The family that Jack reencounters with is his brother's wife, Gloria (Richardson), and her young daughter, Doreen (Cook). Both Gloria and Doreen quickly question Jack of why he has come back. Jack shows little response of why, expect that he suspects his brother's death was a part of foul play. The brawny hit man begins questioning all of the his brother's local acquaintances, which include; the former hit man turn Internet hustler Cyrus Paice (Rourke) and the concealed Geraldine (Mitra), who was closely connected to his brother. As Carter gets closer to the truth, he becomes more perceptive and tender, but what the truth holds is something that he never would have expected.

Get Carter is a mediocre film that could been more applicable than it was. By the end of the film, there are too many questions left unanswered.

David McKenna's script for the film is a remake of the 1971 Get Carter, which starred Michael Caine in the led role. I have not seen the original film, but I have heard nothing but good things about it. This script version is what brings this film down. Almost all of the aspects are introduced well, from development to tone, but the story crumbles in the last 15 minutes of the film. There are a few slow scenes in the film, but I found the scenes to pivotal to the story. The back-breaker once again is the lack of resolved information at the film's end.

Stephen Kay efficiently directed Get Carter. His vision reflected the film as a crime noir type of genre. The whole film had a hard and dull texture look that ponders the dim atmosphere and circumstances of Jack Carter. Though I did like Kay's visual direction, I believe that he should have worked more with letting the script flux better and perhaps consideration of writing a new ending.

Sylvester Stallone delivers his first acting performance since 1997's Copland. I consider Stallone's performance in this film is one of the best of his career. In the first half of the film, he delivers his stereotypical action role that we have all seen before. However, in the second half of the film, Stallone's character becomes more indulgent and emotional, these were the areas where I was impressed with his acting. Stallone is an actor that doesn't make as many films as he use to, and I think that Get Carter is a good film selection for him. Mickey Rourke gives a resolute performance as the slimy Internet maestro Cyrus. I am glad to see Rourke getting some roles again, even though he is showing his age. Rachael Leigh Cook shows tactful balance and range with her performance as Jack's teenage niece. Cook broke into Hollywood two years ago with her performance in She's All That. I like her, because she shows a lot more maturity than most other actresses her age.

Get Carter is a film that I will not argue is bad or good. I will just say that it is an average film. There are some fine moments and this film could have really been something.

Report Card Grade: C

Copyright, 2000 Joseph Tucker

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