Unusual caper film that is hampered by a overall sense of smugness. A group of gangsters decide to proceed with a kidnapping even though their intended victim has already died.
Starts out like a bang with some of the fastest, most well staged, most realistic action you'll ever see. Then it just starts to slow down until it almost comes to a standstill. There is a array of offbeat touches throughout, but even that bag gets empty. The result is a very somber, stilted ending that almost looks like a car running out of gas. Trying to turn it into something 'philosophical' doesn't help. There is enough bizarre, entertaining ingredients already without having to try to make it more than it is.
Ryan is tremendous in one of his last film appearances. Farrow is also fun in her role. At times she looks and sounds almost exactly like her older sister Mia, except for the long hair. Ray seems to be the only drawback here. His broad buffoonery seems out of place in a film that tries so hard to be elusive.
Starts out like a bang with some of the fastest, most well staged, most realistic action you'll ever see. Then it just starts to slow down until it almost comes to a standstill. There is a array of offbeat touches throughout, but even that bag gets empty. The result is a very somber, stilted ending that almost looks like a car running out of gas. Trying to turn it into something 'philosophical' doesn't help. There is enough bizarre, entertaining ingredients already without having to try to make it more than it is.
Ryan is tremendous in one of his last film appearances. Farrow is also fun in her role. At times she looks and sounds almost exactly like her older sister Mia, except for the long hair. Ray seems to be the only drawback here. His broad buffoonery seems out of place in a film that tries so hard to be elusive.