Strong Characters Don't Help 'The Limey'
Story Proves Drab, Uninteresting
LOS ANGELES, Posted 4:18 p.m. October 15, 1999 -- "The Limey" is directed by Stephen Soderberg. But it has none of the provocative flavors of "Sex, Lies and Videotape" or even his later effort "Out of Sight."
"The Limey" does have some nostalgic value -- costarring two 60s icons Terrence Stamp and Peter Fonda -- but the story it tells is very inconsequential.
The considerable acting skill of Stamp is wasted in the title role. "The Limey" is a British ex-con who comes to Los Angeles to find out more about how his daughter died and maybe take revenge against the music mogul she was living with-- well played by Peter Fonda.
The players do give the movie some redeeming value. The L.A. atmosphere is captured with a fresh feel and so are the action sequences as "The Limey" goes after his target.
But the drab nature of the story and some very strange editing techniques make it difficult for the movie to ever come alive.
This movie is also a strange choice for Fonda. As a follow up to the Oscar-nominated "Ulee's Gold" two years ago, "The Limey" pales by comparison. But at least Fonda delivers an interesting character.
It's the story and the self-conscious style that makes "The Limey" so uninteresting.
More Information:
- The official "The Limey" Web site.
- For more movie reviews, click here.
