Picture this: Michael Caine in a spy movie involving a decades-old secret Nazi organization—and he doesn't even know how to shoot a gun! Usually, in his Harry Palmer films, or other similar spy movies, he's a former or current British agent and expertly handles the bad guys. In this one, he's caught unawares by everything and everyone; it's quite endearing.
In The Holcroft Covenant, Michael has inherited $4.5 billion from his late father, a secret Nazi. Along the way to receiving his inheritance and trying to do good with the money, he's advised by Victoria Tennant, Anthony Andrews, Lilli Palmer, and Mario Adorft, but who can he really trust? The film is chalk full of exciting action sequences, and, as is sometimes unusual for action movies, there's some pretty good acting in it as well. Michael Caine doesn't just run around and shoot people; he puts himself in the moment of the character and lets the audience know he's scared, hurt, nervous, or plotting.
My favorite scene is when he's held at gunpoint in a room full of villains. He manages to distract the gunman and turns the tables by pointing the gun at them, demanding that they do exactly what he says. Everyone's silent for a while, looking at him expectantly, until finally one woman asks, "What do you want us to do?" "The usual stuff," he replies, showing that even though he's holding a gun, he's really not a bad guy at heart.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not your friend. Several times throughout the film, the camera is at a standstill and then tilts slightly with no warning, and it might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!" Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to nudity, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
In The Holcroft Covenant, Michael has inherited $4.5 billion from his late father, a secret Nazi. Along the way to receiving his inheritance and trying to do good with the money, he's advised by Victoria Tennant, Anthony Andrews, Lilli Palmer, and Mario Adorft, but who can he really trust? The film is chalk full of exciting action sequences, and, as is sometimes unusual for action movies, there's some pretty good acting in it as well. Michael Caine doesn't just run around and shoot people; he puts himself in the moment of the character and lets the audience know he's scared, hurt, nervous, or plotting.
My favorite scene is when he's held at gunpoint in a room full of villains. He manages to distract the gunman and turns the tables by pointing the gun at them, demanding that they do exactly what he says. Everyone's silent for a while, looking at him expectantly, until finally one woman asks, "What do you want us to do?" "The usual stuff," he replies, showing that even though he's holding a gun, he's really not a bad guy at heart.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not your friend. Several times throughout the film, the camera is at a standstill and then tilts slightly with no warning, and it might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!" Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to nudity, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.