No Way Out is quite simply one of the best films ever made in my opinion!
It relies very much on the fast pace and the element of surprise - there are many twists and turns. So if you haven't already seen it I urge you with all my heart and film-loving soul not to read the following paragraphs of plot detail until you have. It truly will spoil the film - it would have for me anyway. The first viewing is amazing but subsequent viewings cannot match it. I guess that could be said to be a flaw, but such a twisting fast paced film will always be that way I believe. Anyway here goes...
Kevin Costner is brilliantly believeable (yes it's true) as Tom Farrell, a US Navy Officer who starts a relationship with the sassy Susan Atwell (Sean Young) at a party after they have a romantic tryst in a limousine on the way home (accompanying this scene is a love song called 'No Way Out', which seems to portray qualities of mystery and sensuality that go with the moment really well). Susan is already the mistress of US Defence Secretary David Brice - not that Tom knows this at this point. When Tom find out the 'other
man' is Brice, his boss, he isn't best pleased.
Tom and Susan share a romantic trip away and all looks rosy, but on their return Brice suspects Susan of having an affair and during the ensuing argument Brice acidentally kills her. This really shocked me. I expected Susan to be a main character throughout and not to be killed off so early because it is built up that way until this point. That was an excellent twist. It is also a shame to reveal it here, as for me it would have halved its excellence had I known Susan suddenly dies before I watched it. Her death changes the pace and emotions of the film from here on.
Brice is distraught that he has killed Susan and wants to turn himself in, but his aide, Scott Pritchard (played by Will Patton in an incredible performance) persuades him to try to cover it up. They blame the murder on Susan's secret lover, and they decide to say he is a Russian spy, 'Yuri'. So now everyone sets about catching this spy. Tom, or course realises what is happening when he is told of the murder. Que Tom's heartrending desperation to resume control when he realises Susan has been murdered by Brice and that they are trying to cover it up. Tom is now put in charge of catching Susan's lover/killer!
The following action is so exciting with Tom trying to delay the evidence against him, the processing of a polaroid Susan took of him, while at the same time trying to find the computer print out of a present Brice gave to Susan which proves he was her mistress. It is a frantic race against time. Edge of seat stuff to say the least!
I won't reveal the final twist here or else it will spoil the movie further, although in actual fact I think Susan dying near the start is much more of a shock. Indeed, I feel the final twist at the end is unnecessary and unwanted, as it seems to ruin the emotions that the film for me mostly hinges on. You can ignore this final scene and the film is just as good if not better. It is just one twist too far just for the sake of it.
There are some stunning performances especially by Will Patton playing Pritchard. He is in love (or infatuated) with Brice to the point of insanity. He is smooth and softly spoken, intelligent and a touch madness (you are sure he would do absolutely anything to help Brice and to gain his admiration, well, he helps him cover up a murder): he is the main villain of the piece, played with perfect sinister understated menace in his desperation to save Brice's skin. His face at the end when Brice turns against him though is so pathetic, desperate and full of disbelief at the betryal I almost felt sorry for him! Patton gives such a stunning, subtle and believeable performance, I feel the character of Pritchard steals the whole film.
As an overview, the film starts off slow and stylish, romantic and sexy, you have no idea what a tense and fast ride you are going to end up getting with this film! The suspense gets so high I was punching my duvet on the bed shouting 'no way! no way!' Slightly embarassing to admit but true nonetheless. And yes Kevin Costner does look amazingly fit in his slim fitting white navy uniform. This is when he is in his early thirties. The sex scene in the back of the limo is very erotic and sensual. The plot twists and turns throughout, it is outrageously captivating, as Costner ends up being pursued AND forced to do his own pursuing. The movie builds up into a crazy journey of twsts and turns leaving you breathless. Amazing performances: sexy, smooth, understated, sinister, passionate. Oh so perfect!
The DVD itself unfortunately does not have much in the way of extras. Just scene selection and language choices as you'd expect. It does however have the original theatrical trailer which is interesting and entertaining to see. I'm not sure if there are different DVD versions with more extras but mine and all I have seen are simple with just the film and a few normal additions as I have commented on. The DVD menus are all easy to follow and look good, nicely presented, easy to select from, and with attractive still shots. So apart from the lack of extras to peruse, and the superfluous final twist, this DVD is a must and has to command all five stars.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Have happily re rated for you but would be a good idea to remove the final twist as it spoils it for anyone who hasn't seen it. x
Soho_Black 22.07.2007 18:51
Thanks for letting me know you've updated this. Re-rated for you.
Soho_Black 21.07.2007 18:23
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" above the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
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![No Way Out [DVD] [1988]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78526320.jpg "No Way Out [DVD] [1988]")
Jun 24th, 2007
(Dec 3rd, 2007)
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