Welcome to another installment of RETRO REVIEW where we take a trip back in time to look at films made before the year 2000. Today we review the 1996 Christmas-set action flick from the same writer of Lethal Weapon, Shane Black...THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT. Enjoy!
In one of my favorite roles for her, Gina Davis stars as Samantha Caine, a suburban housewife with a case of retrograde amnesia. After a near-fatal accident, Samantha begins remembering bits of her old life, which turns out to be that of a government assassin, named Charlie Baltimore, who worked for a shady organization known only as "Chapter". Sound familiar? No, this isn't a female version of The Bourne Identity, although, I wouldn't mind seeing the two of them square off against one another.
Gina Davis kicks some major ass in this film while also playing a very convincing housewife. The scene when she's chopping vegetables in the kitchen and her training begins to kick in is definitely a great moment and seems like it may have given some inspiration to films like Mr. And Mrs. Smith, showing mundane acts done in extraordinary ways. This is such a fantastically portrayed role, with Davis seemlessly going from doting housewife to vicious assassin. And I gotta say, she is damn sexy in this film too.
And then we have Samuel L. Jackson. He's great as Charlie's handler, Mitch Henessey. He brings his classic personality to this great action flick in a way that only he could. And I'll watch him in just about anything, whether he's helping John McClane take down terrorists, forming a team of superheroes, and yes, even that movie where he gets eaten by the shark...you know the one.
I've had it with these motherf***in' sharks in this motherf***in' water!
This odd pairing strangely works for me, as this is a movie I have enjoyed for many years and enjoy rewatching every holiday season. But the cast isn't the only reason to enjoy it. Shane Black brings his love of Christmas to yet another script, which even with its flaws and dated nature, is still fantastic to me. As with several Shane Black films, this one is set during the Christmas season and even includes a Christmas parade where Gina Davis dresses as Mrs. Claus. Shane Black brings his love of Christmas to yet another script, which even with its flaws and dated nature, is still fantastic to me.
If you haven't gotten around to seeing this film, or haven't seen it in a long time, definitely give this one a watch. You're in for a fun ride.
The Merc's Score: 7.5/10
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