You know you’ve really made it in Hollywood when you can stop acting and no one has the seeds to complain. Travolta has been too busy for the past ten years to take the time to get into character. Once again, we are treated to his “Guy In Charge” character. You know this guy from The General’s Daughter, Swordfish, Basic, and Broken Arrow among others. Producers pay this guy millions to show up, wear collars that emphasis the thickness of his neck and prattle his lines with an emotional vocabulary usually reserved for comic books. He’s far better than this.
This movie is so predictable it doesn’t even count as a paint-by-numbers plot. The math involved in painting by numbers is too intelligent for this melodramatic plop of cinematic pain. I loathe movies like this. They are so unoriginal I get headaches trying to think of how they made it. There are some very talented people involved here – including Travolta (the reason I complain about his acting is because he’s shown he can do far better and doesn’t seem to be trying,) and they are all wasted on this heap.
Now that I have done enough snarling to cement the idea I didn’t like this film, I should point out some of the brighter points. This movie does show blue-collar people as real humans with lives. This is worth noting since Hollywood goofballs usually rush to slam middle and lower class folk as moon-faced, mouth-breathing dimwits. This film respects its characters and does not mock their “normal” lives. The filmmakers understand that while firefighters will never be rich or famous, they are vital to their communities. They deserve the same admiration we reserve for the military or police. The filmmakers also took great care to try to show the life of a firefighter. While it is clumsily handled in many areas, I respect the fact they made the effort.
In closing I can’t recommend this sub-par movie. There is hardly anything new here in regards to the plot. However, I will admit that people who can watch films without a critical eye may enjoy this flick. In my cynical eyes though, this movie is not worth the rental. Worst case scenario, if you must watch, you can make a drinking game out of it. Take a shot every time you see John Travolta looking at his watch, waiting for his scene to end so he can cash his fat paycheck.
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
Wow. I've found stuff to disagree with here on BC, but this, ouch. Man, I love this movie. It's one of those that still pops into my mind from time to time. It's unforgettable.
Why would expect originality? It's a movie about the life of firemen. How original could it possibly be? The direction evokes proper emotional response. I'd even say it was far from predictable for typical Hollywood fare, without spoiling anything.
You really didn't go any further though as to why you didn't like it either. Predictable and unoriginal are valid reasons, just nowhere near enough to completely discredit this.
2 - Nehring
Lack of originality is reason enough to disregard a film. I disagree with your statement that since this is about firefighters, it can't be original. TO the contrary, there is PLENTY of drama available in a fireman's life that could have been explored.
I don't expect every movie to be Citizen Kane, but I do expect some effort to be put forth to make the best product possible. Even in run-of-the-mill stories like this one there is room for some creativity.
3 - dietdoc
First, I would like to say that I enjoyed the movie. I agree with Nehring in that it could have been much more but, for what it is - a homage to a profession that deserves our respect and admiration - it succeeds.
Having said that, while totally a different experience (more of a dark comedy that drama), I think "Resuce Me" is the best depiction of a big city fire department around. Dennis Leahy brings the horror, angst and tight brotherhood of these brave "civil servants" into the proper perspective in a weekly series. For my money, it's if far better and more "real" than Ladder 49. No soap opera, no tugging at the heart strings, no fluff (e.g. children's birthday parties, "Daddy, I don't want you to get hurt again" conversations, weddings - all from "Ladder 49").
Rescue Me shows real people with real lives and real challenges that we all face. It's just that these "regular" people run into burning buildings when everyone else is running - or being carried - out. Ordinary people who do extraordinary jobs.
Just my 2 cents - keep the change.
Cheers,
Ron