Out of Sight Reviews

Ostensibly a crime movie, Out of Sight is a film that’s obsessed with dialog, behavior, and movie star charisma and sensuality than it is with any particular criminal activity. This isn’t a complaint at all, merely an observation of the structure and emphasis in Steven Soderbergh’s adaptation. In fact, Out of Sight is an absolute delight from start to finish.

We begin with the most lackadaisical bank robbery I’ve ever seen in a film, one that relies entirely on George Clooney’s character’s ability to disarm with his charm and deliver a lie-a-minute with the efficiency and believability of a lifelong con artist. He accomplishes both of these tasks with the ease and charisma befitting a movie star. But Clooney wasn’t a movie star at the time this film was made and released. Primarily known for his work on television, ER making him a star after years of journeyman work to be precise, Out of Sight launched Clooney as a viable commodity on the big screen.

Clooney folds into the world of Elmore Leonard, having a bit of a big screen moment in the 90s, with surprising grace and intelligence. This role would provide something of a roadmap for Clooney’s eventual ascendency: charming rogues with a penchant for smartass remarks and soft hearts. It’s all right there in that opening scene as Clooney’s clear joy in playing with strong, musical language is evident and only reinforces his strengths as an actor.

Yet Out of Sight is also a film built around the premise of a cop and robber chasing each other, and Clooney needed a strong cop to act opposite. Enter Jennifer Lopez in the strongest performance of her career as Karen Sisco. She must walk a fine line between wanting to bag the guy and wanting to bed him. Her character on paper is nearly ridiculous a pistol-packing bombshell that’s gritty, yet Lopez manages to make it look effortless. She’s never been this at ease or layered as an actress ever since. In addition, she must also trade witty and sexy repartee with Clooney, and their chemistry is off the charts. Scenes of them together are a joy to watch simply to observe their verbal and sexual dynamics threatening to ignite the celluloid.

And that’s the film in its entirety, layers of tension as the cat and mouse games switch power dynamics then switch back. Yes, there’s several heist scenes and shootouts in Out of Sight, but what you’ll remember most are long scenes of characters talking because the words and how they’re said are so enjoyable. There’s also a pair of sexy scenes between Clooney and Lopez, one where they’re completely clothed in the trunk of a car and another where we cut back-and-forth between them in a restaurant and undressing in a hotel room.

Orbiting around these two are a colorful cadre of supporting players brought to life by an enviably cast of (then) up-and-comers and aging character actors. Leonard had the same gift that Damon Runyon did for populating his works with colorful characters and giving them all a chance to shine. The journey is good enough when actors such as Dennis Farina, Ving Rhames, Catherine Keener, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, Viola Davis, and Albert Brooks bring it to life.

Out of Sight may not be aiming for any grand pronouncement, but it’s a gangbuster of an entertainment. It’s smart, sexy, and loads of fun. You know, it really lives up to its title.

After spending the decade of the 1990s in the shadows and remaining overlooked, Steven Soderbergh made his mark in Hollywood with Out of Sight: this sufficiently entertaining crime drama. It's rather a daunting task to categorise a Soderbergh production - this film has elements of romance, comedy, drama, crime and thriller. With these elements in mind, the filmmakers have tossed in a dense, intricate, somewhat fractured screenplay to be implemented by a questionable group of actors. The stage is set for something moderately different to occur.

Jack Foley (Clooney) is a habitual bank robber with a formidable record. Jack decides to shorten his current gaol term by conducting a prison break with the assistance of long-time collaborator Buddy (Rhames). However Jack does not expect to encounter US Marshall Karen Sisco (Lopez) during his prison escape. The pair toy around with an obvious mutual attraction. As Jack and Buddy plan their ultimate scam, Karen is assigned to track them down and bring them to justice. It takes about half an hour to establish that plot. Subsequent to the opening half an hour the plot steadily dissolves with each passing minute. Basically the final 90 minutes of the movie (give or take) are concerned with Karen working to capture Jack and Buddy. However Karen begins having second thoughts about arresting Jack as the mutual attraction intensifies.

Out of Sight is equipped with talent in several departments: acting is generally very good, directing is strong and the screenplay is witty. But director Soderbergh's style will not be liked by all. Quite frankly the film loses its appeal and bogs dreadfully throughout the middle section. The problem with Soderbergh's movies is that, although they're sometimes really unpredictable, it's difficult to assess the importance of each scene. With so little action and so much dialogue there isn't much to sustain interest in the viewer. While watching the movie my eyes were glued to the screen but my mind kept wandering off...I could never remain entirely engaged.

Another fatal flaw is the lack of sizzling chemistry between Clooney and Lopez. George Clooney is always highly charismatic and appears abundantly determined. 60% of Clooney's screen-time features some skilfully-written dialogue and some absorbing drama. It's a shame this level of focus isn't maintained - something solely attributed to the mediocre screenwriting. On the opposite end of the spectrum there's a very questionable Jennifer Lopez. Honestly, I have never liked Lopez's acting so perhaps I am biased. Be that as it may, Lopez is poor at maintaining any degree of intensity. Her lines are occasionally quite witty (sometimes more so than Clooney's dialogue), but she does not do justice to the screenplay. There is zero chemistry between Clooney and Lopez. We have a charismatic performer opposite an actress who really requires a few more acting lessons.

Thankfully the supporting cast are a marginal redeeming feature. Don Cheadle's performance is similar to Clooney's - spirited but let down by the film's unique style. Steve Zahn is always a scene-stealer. It's a shame Zahn is allocated such a minor role. His potentiality could have redeemed this film more emphatically. Michael Keaton's insignificant (uncredited) role is also worth mentioning - a former Batman criminally underused.

Overall, Out of Sight is a mediocre crime film that will not be liked by all. Occasionally there's some great dialogue to absorb and a few strong performances. Not that I was looking exclusively for action, but the drama could have easily been balanced out by more frequent action. I'm glad I watched the film; however I doubt I'll be watching it again any time soon.