MadGez wrote:
Sorry BK, cant agree.
I loved this film back in 1993 and to my own surprise it held up when I saw it again just recently. Malkovich is brilliant.
Hey Gez, I don't disagree Malkovich is brilliant but I just plain disliked the ending in the elevator. Eastwood should have found a subtler way to relay his position because being so obvious, and knowing what the FBI/SS/CIA are capable of, Malkovich wouldn't have reacted by just saying "Why you little" and instead of shooting Clint, he tries to hit him.
Now I cannot recall what or which movies I've seen with this smart villain stringing theme or possible TV series, so I also would not be able to appreciate if "In the Line of Fire" did it first. As, anything though, you're only as good as you hold up, and it may have been good then for its novelty and good now for nostalgia but I believe I've seen this script/story played out better with more charismatic and likeable leads without such contrived endings.
I recently remonstrated against Die Hard's stupid-villain syndrome and that may have been typical Hollywood fanfare at the time but I personally realized that kind of suspension of disbelief no longer works for me.