A great film with a better cast.

Rating: 9/10 (8 January 2007)

"True Romance" is one of the top crime/adventure/love stories of the 90's. Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, the film portrays love, fate, action, and crime on multiple levels. An up-beat score by Hans Zimmer (using major tones with steel drums) keeps the movie from delving into any state of melodrama.
Christian Slater heads up the film as Clarence, a young kung-fu movie buff/comic book store employee who, over the course of one night, falls in love with Alabama (Patricia Arquette), a young, vibrant call girl. They wed and all is well until Clarence learns that Alabam's pimp, Drexel, was not the nicest of men (Gary Oldman). The confrontation that ensues results in Clarence and Alabama travelling across the country with a suitcase full of cocaine. To their later surprise, they are being chased by a number of mercenaries under the employment of Drexel's boss (one of them played masterfully by James Gandolfini in a ruthless pre-Sopranos manner).
Tarantino handles the dialogue masterfully, allowing the chemistry between Arquette and Slater to develop naturally. One of the most captivating scenes is an exchange between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken. The truly unique dialogues occur between Slater and Kilmer, who plays the ghost of Elvis, Slater's imaginary friend. "True Romance" boasts an ensemble supporting cast, including Brad Pitt (in a very unique role), Samuel L. Jackson (In a very small role), Tom Sizemore, Chris Penn, etc. Typical of anything Tarantino has his hands in, the film ends with a group of men armed to the teeth pointing large caliber guns at one another (Resevior Dogs anyone?). However, the scene becomes almost poetic under Tony Scott's direction. The background music is almost classical, slow motion is used effectively, and feathers pour all around the combatants from destroyed couches, as though they are fighting in a dream state.
Overall a solid movie with a strong plot, good character development, and all around exceptional performances. To those who shy away from the typically dark nature of Tarantino's films, note that "True Romance" has a happy ending.