"Stir of Echos"

Kevin Bacon, Katherine Erbe

Video Released:  February 1, 2000

Rating:  R

Running Time:  94 minutes

[FEB. 4, 2000]  It was Kevin Bacon’s picture on the video’s box that enticed me to rent this movie. Bacon has made a few good pictures and a few duds, so this time I gave him another chance to entertain me. In this movie he plays the same character he always does—a borderline psychotic on speed. He displays lotsa energy and it made me wonder when or if he would completely flip out.

This movie is anything but a typical Kevin Bacon look alike flick. It says it’s a thriller on the box and it lives up to this promise without bordering on being casual or silly or horrific.

The plot begins with what appears to be a happy modern family in Chicago. Bacon is dissatisfied with his job, and his wife (Katherine Erbe) is pregnant again. Together with their little boy Jake, they hold it all together and somehow iron out life’s little bumps.

But as soon as the introduction is over, you are introduced to the fact that Jake is not an ordinary little boy. Through an unusual family circumstance, Jake’s Dad (Bacon) departs from normalcy too. Together Jake and his Dad take a "spiritual" journey, which leads their family and their neighborhood toward a terrible truth.

Overall, the plot was excellent; the filming appropriate to the subject, the direction crisp, the dialog fitting and the acting was great. The story line was a little predictable in places, but never got mundane or boring. The plot was resolved in an acceptable fashion. And Kevin Bacon was perfectly cast for the role.

The R rating for this movie was appropriate for its content. There was marital sex, bad language, blood, body parts, violence and that perfect blend of thriller fear. Warning, this movie is not appropriate for children or teenagers (in my rating system) or adults who suffer from movie-induced nightmares.

I give this movie 3½ stars.

The next time you see a Kevin Bacon movie on the shelf, take a chance.

[Midge]

Pierce Brosnan, Renee Russo

[FEB. 4, 2000]  Brosnan plays the character Thomas Crown, a high-flying, wealthy, made-his-own-money businessman who is into stock market mergers and acquisitions. The art world seems to be his obsession. Even if you can’t stand art, you’ll like Crown’s style.

He stages an art theft with a masterful diversion, and Renee Russo, an art insurance detective, is assigned to recover the missing painting. Russo (whose character name escapes me) proves to almost be Crown’s (Brosnan’s) equal. He is drawn to her because of the unique challenge she poses. Working with the local police, Russo cracks the case of the missing art. But will she get her man?

This story is lively, imaginative, full of twists, great concepts and false leads. I think it was beautifully filmed, wonderfully directed and a heck of a ride. But be well advised. This is the story of an affair (I’ll let you guess who had the affair). There’s a lot of skin showing, several sex scenes and some graphic and descriptive language. Put the kids to bed and be ready to use the remote to edit.

I could watch this film again.

I give it 4 stars.

[Midge]