Recent Reviews for The Long Kiss Goodnight
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MCT:August 4, 2008Director Renny Harlin gives his main squeeze Geena Davis another plum role as an indestructible amnesiac assassin in this ugly, mean-spirited action caper. Scripter Shane Black, who by this point in his career was earning millions for simply sneezing plot descriptions into his napkin, stamps a self-consciously Tarantino-esque air of smugness onto his convoluted plot while simultaneously confusing the hell out of you. Meanwhile, Davis and second-billed Samuel Jackson chew viciously at the slickly-filmed scenery, oblivious to the fact that they're in a fairly crappy movie. In the end, it's a load of sound, fury and exploitative nastiness, signifying little more then a load of ego-stroking excess. Rent a Schwarzenegger flick instead.
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MCT:August 4, 2008This was an enjoyable action film with a great plot (an amnesiac ex-spy and assassin who regains her memory just in time to exact plenty-o-revenge). Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson both gave very strong performances, without being too over-the-top.
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MCT:August 1, 2008"I never did one thing right in my life, you know that? Not one. That takes skill."
The Long Kiss Goodnight is a substantially entertaining action romp in a similar vein to typical action vehicles such as Die Hard (director Harlin also helmed Die Hard 2), or films from the bona fide 80s action stars like Stallone and Arnie. The film is convincingly elevated above your typical action thriller, simply due to an assortment of fantastic actors and a fascinating plot.
Following the disastrous Cutthroat Island, director Harlin and star Geena Davis needed a film to resurrect their respective careers. This is an exceedingly effective tool for both of them, thanks mainly to the advantage of working from a sharp and playful script penned by Shane Black. Screenwriter Black possesses a penchant for action movies: he can generate comical one-liners, riveting stories and even better...leaves plenty of room for an abundance of violent action. Personally, I'm a sucker for a quality action movie and virtually seek out hardcore carnage. Being a massive fan of Shane Black's previous films (like Lethal Weapon and The Last Boy Scout), I felt compelled to visit this film...and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Samantha Caine (Davis) is a suburban mother who suffers from amnesia. For 8 years she has lived her new life with no knowledge of who she once was. Despite hiring endless private detectives to uncover information about her past life, there has been no success. Samantha now has loving husband Hal (Amandes) and young daughter Caitlin (Zima) to support her, so she elects to simply disregard her former identity. Samantha is a successful school teacher living an ideal suburban existence. But after a car accident, she receives a bump on the head and she starts evoking recollections of her past while recovering. The government recognises Samantha as an assassin named Charline Baltimore who was supposedly killed several years earlier. Following an attack on her life during which she was capable of defending herself skilfully, her curiosity about her past amplifies. A cheap private investigator named Mitch (Jackson) obtains a lucky break in illuminating the information of Samantha/Charline's past. While being hunted, Samantha/Charline partners with Mitch to finally expose the truth of her identity. As usual, some convoluted government conspiracy is uncovered.
Now that the slender plot has been established, the action rapidly commences. In tradition with routine 80s style action flicks, the violence and carnage is unbelievably ruthless at times. The Long Kiss Goodnight flaunts some remarkable action sequences. Stunts and special effects are first-rate, with a booming sound mix for a towering entertainment value. When it comes to the action, never is an erroneous foot trodden. Harlin's lens captures the action sequences with immense elegance and visual finesse. However, Shane Black's script suffers from a number of problems. Predictably, we're offered with an abundance of clichés. We can also safely predict the outcome of the events. Sometimes we're also given dialogue that serves no purpose other than to provide a cheap laugh (plenty of guilty pleasures, I admit). However, this build-up is worth it for the spectacular climax and final showdown. It's exaggerated, over-the-top and silly...but it's fun!
The cast certainly elevate the otherwise flawed screenplay. Geena Davis is granted the daunting task of undertaking dual roles: that of an innocent suburban house-wife, and a brutal assassin whose language is relentless. Davis pulls it off. Samuel L. Jackson is always a fantastic choice for a foul-mouthed, raving side-kick. I'm particularly fond of Jackson in Die Hard - With a Vengeance where he played opposite Bruce Willis. This is the same kind of character: very comical, very well written and dexterously realised. Craig Bierko is a stellar villain. Other great additions to the cast include Brian Cox, David Morse and a young Yvonne Zima.
Overall, The Long Kiss Goodnight will be gleefully devoured by action fans. Most of the film's fun is derived from the Davis/Jackson coupling and several frantic action scenes, though there are script flaws in place. Action masterpieces are rare, so just enjoy indulging in this entertaining action romp. -
MCT:August 1, 2008I freaking love this movie! I think its one of the most underrated movie of all time!
It has a great main character that could have had a great franchise but sadly did not happen. -
MCT:July 14, 2008
Long before Quentin and Uma thought of Kill Bill over drinks, Geena Davis' husband realized his fantasy of having a femme fatale for a wife by making this film. TLKG stuck like a leech because it spoke to my inner "Ï am woman, hear me roar", or in this case, see me kick ass, throw knives, escape from burning trucks...Geena Davis proudly said she did all the stunts and I am doubly impressed.
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MCT:July 12, 2008Good action film with Samuel L as witty and awesome as ever. But Geena Davis just couldn't make the transition from a drama actress to action. I thought she was average, but tried very hard to be that badass lead woman of the film.
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MCT:July 6, 2008
We've had this movie for ages and I had never been interested in finding out what it was about. Then the other day I just suddenly SAW it and read the back, souned good so I watched it. Good decision apparently - I enjoyed it anyway. I liked how Geena handled the change between her 2 personalities and how they came together at the end - was quite interesting and Samuel L. Jackson (lol was gonna just put Samuel but it's just not right is it?) was fun to watch :)
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MCT:July 1, 2008
hahaha loved this movie
the story line wasnt the best ive seen but it wasnt the worst so i can live with it
but what made this movie what is was is samuel l jackson no matter what role he plays he always add the comedy side with his attitude and online
scene that would be great example would be when he nearly crashes to check out the female jogger haha -
MCT:June 27, 2008
Higly entertaining action/thriller/drama...along the lines of la femme nikita..Geena Davis provides us with a strong performance..and proves very adept at being a housewife who also was a cold blooded assasin....cliched but entertaining..
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MCT:June 13, 2008
I really enjoyed this film. Geena Davis did very well in the role of action hero and Sam Jackson is good as usual. Lots of action and fun in this movie.
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MCT:June 13, 2008
As a 16 year old i thought this movie was awesome, but now as a fully fledged adult I must say that its many problems are more noticeable. Still enjoyable, however in the hands of a better director and a more capable actress (note to Renny Harlin...just cause she puts out, doesnt mean you have to cast her) then it probably wouldve been better.
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MCT:May 27, 2008
Love it ! too much fun, too much action, a real femme fatale with Geena and the best detective is Samuel
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MCT:May 5, 2008
This wasn't bad I wish I would have seen this earlier ,,,,, Da da da da da cuz I'm I bad Mother Fucker LOL.
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MCT:April 28, 2008
Awsome film, filled with action, bit of love and has some sad parts too, but i love the crazy chicks attitude
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MCT:April 25, 2008
A really good action flick. There isn't much more to it than that and there really doesn't have to be.
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MCT:February 28, 2008
GREAT ACTION MOVIE, NEVER WOULD A THOUGHT THAT GEENA DAVIS COULD PLAY A ROLE LIKE THIS. SHE WAS REALLY GOOD.
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MCT:February 13, 2008Geena Davis AND Samuel L. Jackson kicking lots of butt? What else do you need? I love this movie. Sammy J gives some great memorable lines, and Geena Davis is awesome.
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MCT:February 7, 2008
an odd coupling can make a fun adventure. geena davis, samuel jackson and craig bierko are so much fun. the dialogue is snappy and the action is great. this movie is fantastic.
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MCT:January 24, 2008
LOve it! The combination of Gina Davies and Samuel L Jackson is awsome. Could watch this film over and over.
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MCT:January 20, 2008
This was a rather fun movie and another one of this pieces that remind you that actresses like Geena Davis can still cut it in more physically demanding films like this despite her age at the time.
The movie is another spin on the amnesiac assassin with Samuel L. Jackson playing the plucky, foul-mouthed private detective who becomes her only ally as those from her past come after her.
It's not the most thought-provoking film out there but it's fun as an action piece and the kind of movie you might want to watch with friends one Saturday night over pizza and drinks. -
MCT:December 29, 2007ACTION!! ! If you missed this 1996 movie DO YOURSELF A FAVOR & SEE IT! It might shake you up--while still entertaining you! Geena Davis & Samuel L. Jackson GREAT performances.(IGNORE TOM KEOGH'S RUDE REVIEW! HE'S SO WRONG!!)..Spy Trainer Wally (Brian Cox of The Bourne Identity, Troy-King) co-stars! ORIGINAL!! What twists and turns this movie takes??!! And Samuel L. Jaclson aka Frank & Ernest!! LOL Tender, heartfelt, spy INCREDIBLE THRILLER!!! This is in the top 10 of both mine and my son's favorites!! GO GINA!! You could call her the amnesiac ice skating spy on the lam
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MCT:December 28, 2007This was such a lame movie I can't even begin to describe what a waste of time it is to watch it. I hate Renny Harlin. He's not a good director and the spouse swapping is gross.
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MCT:December 13, 2007
This is just a really fun action pic. Geena Davis is brilliant as Charlie, an assasin with amnesia. When she regains her memory, Samuel L, Jackson is there to help. I will never forget "DIE SCREAMING MOTHER FUCKER!!"
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MCT:December 10, 2007
Tottally bitchen movie Geena davis is fucken badass as the assian a role i could never imagine her playing before this movie plus Sam jackson as the sidekick with some great one lines and his badass self makes this one awesome movie.
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MCT:December 2, 2007
this was an ok action flick. i thought gena davis was very good and it kept you entertained the whole way through.
