Ain't This A True Romance?

Rating: 9/10 (11 March 2004)

Tony Scott has made his most interesting and linear vision of romance, directing this film. In fact, 'True Romance' is almost a unique film, as it combines romance with action and drama, and it does it so well. Few are the films that have succeeded in doing this. The film centers in the dangerous and risky romance of Clarence (Slater) and Alabama (Arquette), as they fight against drug dealers, mafia thugs, cops and pimps.
Spoilers:
It all begins with a present from Clarence's boss, which consists in spending a lovely and sexual-appetizer night, with a prostitute named Alabama. Little did he know, that she has a problem that makes her like only one man, and immediately falls in love with Clarence. With the relationship moving forward, they face many problems. Clarence has to wipe-out Alabama's pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), in a superb cameo performance, which only brings more problems, as they steal Drexl's drugs (without knowing of course! They're not drug addicts, as far as I know). Drugs, which had the mafia as its destination. They then try to sell it, so they can make some money, bu little did they know, that the final showdown they would be involved in, would be one of the most violent endings of the movie industry. (You would expect no less, when we're in the presence of a Tarantino story).
End of Spoilers
The plot is pretty straight-forward, with no complex stuff, just plain simple and good. It is funny, violent, dizzy and sexy. Slater's performance is just enough for his role, and I thought Patricia Arquette was lovely and at the same time innocent and sexy. The rest of the cast is almost cameo performances, Val Kilmer portrays Clarence's inspiration (Elvis), Dennis Hopper (best performance of the lot) stars as Clarence's dad, James Gandolfini also makes a vintage performance. Brad Pitt stars as a drug addict (pretty funny guy), and another superb performance by Christopher Walken. In fact, the most fantastic scene in terms of acting was the part between Walken vs Hopper. True acting that part, and the music that supported it, made it more marking.
Overall, I truly recommend 'True Romance'. Watch out for the ending, it is a beauty in terms of realistic violence. Maybe this film will stay on your mind, maybe it won't, but one thing's for sure, it will surely make you love even more your wife/girlfriend.
PsIKiLL's Rating: 9/10