Woof, woof

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2001)

Saw this film last night on TV. Heard of it for a long while, but
never got to see it actually. Scene after scene which could easily
make impressive posters (Mr. White & Mr. Pink pointing gun to each
other, Eddie, Joe & Mr. White pointing their guns, Four men walking
with their trademark Black&White outfit, etc.) shall stay in my mind
for sometime. It's not the viewers' task to find out who the "under-cover" is, as it
will be revealed quite bluntly (but surely with surprise), and even
before that, Quentin plays around giving clues on screen (might I say,
"watch out for the balloon"?). What are we expected to enjoy with this
film? Dialogue, plot, action, yes yes of course. But what I truly
enjoyed was the mind of the characters in the film. Men (I don't know
about women, because I am not) can relate to each and every character
of the colorful gangsters. Of course not to the extreme act of
violence, but to the emotion behind each words that are shot out like a
machine gun, and to the thoughts behind each action and reaction to
given situation...Mr. White, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Pink, and Mr. Orange, each
of them have something that men have or wish to have. Mr. White's paternal care for Mr. Orange, which at the end, costs his
life. Trusting dad figure. Mr. Blonde (proto-Antonio Vanderas), blood-cold with no remorse,
nevertheless knows how to practice loyalty in a primitive but precise
manner, which loyalty bears fruit even beyond his death (his loyalty
was THE key when Eddie figures out who the "cop" was). Mr. Pink, you've got to love this guy. He's by no means "cool", but
always finds his way out. Note the way he leaves the scene unhurt.
And as already mentioned, he's the only one who hasn't got one's
"Christian name" revealed. He is by no means a stupid idiot. He talks
a lot, but knows each and every word he spits out. Mr. Orange, all he had to do was stay quiet until everything was
settled at the end of the film. Why on earth did he "confess" to Mr.
White, who's holding a gun? But this, my friends, is the sad nature of
men. At the end, you can't help it. Anyone in a calm state of mind
would say, "Don't blow your cover, cuz that would do no good." But
there's this wee thing in your gut which can't stand it. So, you blow
the story big time. We see this all the time. Men are bad in telling
lies and sticking to them. But again, you've got to have sympathy for
him at the end of the day.
If you are a guy, there's a fairly good chance you'll enjoy this. And
while you watch, for heaven's sake, don't get too much into details.
That will do no good. And also, don't get too morally correct about
the film. Why on earth are you watching a gangster film anyways? Now,
prepare a sack of Doritos, a bottle of Coke, and hit the "play" button.