Backtrack (Catchfire) (Do it the Hard Way) (1990)

50% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
27% of users liked it
(3,371 ratings)

Originally prepared for European release under the title Catchfire, Backtrack wasn't given a wide distribution until 1991, and then only to capitalize on the Oscar win of Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster. In Backtrack, Foster plays a youngish innocent who witnesses a mob hit. Professional… More Originally prepared for European release under the title Catchfire, Backtrack wasn't given a wide distribution until 1991, and then only to capitalize on the Oscar win of Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster. In Backtrack, Foster plays a youngish innocent who witnesses a mob hit. Professional assassin Dennis Hopper is contracted to silence Foster for keeps. Instead, he falls in love with her. Directed by star Hopper, Backtrack has some of the feel of his earlier, better Easy Rider: the cast is populated by such old Hopper chums as Dean Stockwell, Charlie Sheen, Joe Pesci, Bob Dylan, Vincent Price and Julie Adams; and, like Easy Rider, it looks as though the story was improvised during filming. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Dennis Hopper, Alan Smithee
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Mar 15, 2005
Studio: Vestron Video

Critic Reviews

Adam Lippe, Examiner.com
Foster's scenes where she is utterly surprised by Hopper's lack of knowledge of the world, are so inviting without being condescending, eerily reminiscent of how she responded to De Niro in Taxi Driver.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
If you cherish the idea of Joe Pesci, John Turturro (wearing a cowboy hat), Dean Stockwell, and Dennis Hopper in the same room, you won't be able to resist Backtrack.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of film's greatest dissapointments.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A terrific cast does not necessarily make for a good pic.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Well this film has a hell of a cast, these old films always seem to and its a pretty good film too. Its starts kinda slow and you get the feeling of dread that this will be really dull but after Charlie Sheen bites the dust and Dennis Hopper the hitman comes along it does start to… More
Well this film has a hell of a cast, these old films always seem to and its a pretty good film too. Its starts kinda slow and you get the feeling of dread that this will be really dull but after Charlie Sheen bites the dust and Dennis Hopper the hitman comes along it does start to move. Foster looks cute n sexy as the girl on the run and Pesci, Stockwell and Turturro are good as the mobsters after her blood (all led by Vincent Price as the mob chief I might add), its not too original, rather predictable (witness to mob hit goes on the run) but the cast are really good and keep you interested. Its not a serious bloody film but more of a road movie with some Humorous moments and a twist love plot too, the most important thing being you want the two leads to escape and live happily ever after :) the film draws you in.
Barry L

Really well paced and enjoyable thriller.Hopper at his usual baddy best.

Cast

            Dennis Hopper as Milo

            Jodie Foster as Anne Benton

            Dean Stockwell as John Luponi

            Vincent Price as Mr. Lino Avoca

            Fred Ward as Pauling

            John Turturro as Pinella

            Joe Pesci as Leo Carelli

            Charlie Sheen as Bob

            Julie Adams as Martha

            Sy Richardson as Captain Walker

            Frank Gio as Frankie

            Bob Dylan as Artist

            John Apicella as Man at Refinery

            Kevin Bourland as Ad Agency Man

            Grand L. Bush as Bank Teller

            Burke Byrnes as Fed

            Sarina C. Grant as Hooker

            Helena Kallianiotes as Garace Carelli

            Catherine Keener as Trucker's Girl

            Ted Markland as Man in Van

            Robert Rothwell as Ad Agency Executive

            Tony Sirico as Greek

            Jerry Summers as Rianetti

            Michael Yama as Technician

            John Zenda as Trucker

            Alex Cox as D.H. Lawrence

            Lauren Lloyd as Margaret Mason

            Tomas Goros as Golf Course Fed

            Anthony Pena as Taos Sheriff

            Katherine La Nasa as Waitress
See full cast