Formula

The movie focuses on George C. Scott as the LAPD investigator who is placed on a murder case. Through cryptic clues and some convenient insight the trail leads to Germany (via Italy) and the Los Angeles officer jumps on a plane. Once there he learns of the secret as he finds more people connected in the international conspiracy. The more he learns the closer the danger comes to Scott himself.

The tension of movie relies on the confrontations between Scott and the myriad of talented actors he interviews. If these were better built they could make for a fun movie despite the plot. Unfortunately, almost all the characters lack any conviction. I don't believe that Scott's character cares at all about the oil or murders. He just wants to win and be done with it. The other characters are worse. Most of the characters are murdered just as soon as the plot no longer needs them ... sometimes seconds after Scott is finished interviewing them. Most of them seem to be working for the best accent/foreign language oscar. There are some thick german accents that arent understandable and sections of germen dialog that arent subtitled. Surprisingly, even Sir John Gielgud snarls his way through his dialog. Brando is as usual in his own world. His accent, I can only guess, is supposted to be Southern/Texan? but with his normal lisp doesnt come out too well.

In the end there is nothing special or outstanding about this movie besides the plot, which is unique but suffers from obvious plot devices to manipulate without bothering to construct real characters. Almost as believable as your typical Bond film. There is nothing in this movie you cant find somewhere else (although maybe not altogether) so if these actors are favorites I suggest nearly any other movie. At a minimum rent first. Try JFK, Patton, The Godfather, Julius Caesar, Rocky, The Insider


A topical film   August 20, 2005
djvdks
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The quote of this film should be Brando: "WE ARE THE ARABS!" The comments that appear in the AMG site about theis film are ludicrous. Who are they supporting, The OIL cmpanies? THE AMG COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FILM IS "THE INTERMINABLE STEADY-CAM SCENES."
THE ACADEMY NOMINATED THE FILM FOR ITS PHOTOGRAPHY!
Now that we have a $3.00 per gallon situation in this country, this film literally HITS THE MARK!


fascinating supreme power   April 10, 2004
Carlos Vazquez Quintana (Linares- Spain)
2 out of 8 found this review helpful

This film ever has fascinated me although I think as cinema it has only a medium quality and the performance of Marlon Brando isn't good.
But it's the theme, the plot. We see: Economics, finances, Stock exchange, all these has as main motor petroleum, gasoline, fuel, lubricants. These are the very first lever of the world, but petroleum can't be manufactured: as gold, it's a product of a limited amount, but, What if you truly could find a formula that permits you to make artificial gasoline? It had to be fabulous and terrible for the petrol corporations and for all. I have to say I know very little about petroleum sciences but certainly Germans attained to make it from charcoal. The problem with all this questions is if you have to waste more energy for producing it than these you obtain. There are much questions and I'm not capable to answer any, but as nuclear energy seems to be rejected by common people the perspective of making petrol from coal, a raw material almost inexhaustible, excites me more than nothing.