MovieChat Forums > the sphynx
the sphynx (11)
Posts
Replies
How about the initial plot hole that the fake NSA dudes were able to blackmail Bishop into helping steal the McGuffin, and Bishop was able to talk his ex into helping, by threatening prosecution for his youthful crimes over twenty years later? The statute of limitations would have long since expired.
My favorite plot hole is the glaring fact that if Bishop has been on the run for twenty years, he doesn't need anyone to wipe his record clean, because the statute of limitations has long since expired on his youthful pranks. So the emotional hook for his ex and the others to help him is zero.
I really liked that scene, actually. The O'Donnell character interacting with each of those quirky guys differently was good fun. Beat the crap out of the blind guy driving scene, which made me cringe.
The points you made are excellent; the movie is ahead of its time on those things, and spot on about money.
OTOH, it has plot holes you can drive a Mack truck through, starting with the glaring fact that if Bishop has been on the run for twenty years, he doesn't need anyone to wipe his record clean, because the statute of limitations has long since expired on his youthful pranks. And you're asked to believe that such an incredibly valuable universal hacking machine would be left in an unguarded office, intact, and they wouldn't even bother plugging it into a cord or putting tapes in it to make it look like an actual answering machine. And that Cosmo wouldn't have checked inside the invaluable box before letting Bishop go. Etc. So I have very mixed feelings about the movie.
I loved the dancing scene, but the blind guy driving seemed dumb and pointless. No way he would have been able to drive even that well on a moment's notice, and there was huge likelihood he would destroy the car before he could help rescue anyone. As it turned out, the car was not needed.
OTOH, I loved pretty much all the moments between the Redford and Kingsley characters. Even the initial scene where one fatefully sends the other out for pizza using a magic trick, and the magic trick being deliberately used to cinch the recognition when they meet again.
With ya. I'd add that, as depicted in the film, his affair with the Woman From the City does not seem remotely deep enough to explain why he would sell out his future financially, then try to murder Angel Wife. The Evil City Woman is a plot device thinner than a McGuffin, and then the filmmaker throws all the blame on her, and implies with her departure that all is now well in the world and the married couple will be completely peaches and cream from now on. Not a glimmer of a suggestion (after the wife's brief terror post-murder-attempt) that he's an unstable and violent lunatic she might be in danger from in future, the next time he has an unfaithful or jealous whim.
I did like the scenes of love rekindling by sharing fun times together, and the cinematography was good. But one of the greatest films of all time? Not even close. The script is way too clumsy.
Seriously? Just watched Sunrise for the first time yesterday. I don't even think this is the greatest silent film ever made. Why is it so hyped? An interesting and important entry in film history, yes. Top five of all time, as I've seen it described? Not a chance.
I agree with your premise, but when making your list of the greatest silent movies, how did you miss Metropolis, The Passion of Joan of Arc, The General, Modern Times, and City Lights?
Indeed. I was thinking exactly that during the climactic hatchet scene.
I think so too. (Seemed like the antiheroine baker did not serve herself a slice.)
View all replies >