Love Lies Bleeding

Plot synopsis:
Duke (Brian Geraghty) and Amber (Jenna Dewan) are a financially strapped young couple, both working menial jobs to survive, while their gangster neighbors continue to steal Duke and Amber's things. One day Amber gets home and finds the neighbors in the house, stealing a few things. They beat her up and leave. Duke gets home and finds her, and is so angered he goes out and purchases a gun. Meanwhile, a corrupt DEA Agent named Pollen (Christian Slater) is after a cache of dirty money that belongs to him. He tracks it back to the house Duke's neighbors live in and gets there before Duke does. There is a shootout, and Pollen is injured. Duke arrives and finds the aftermath, and the money. Duke takes the money, believing that it will mean a better life for himself and Amber. Pollen tries to stop him, but passes out due to his injuries.
Duke returns home, and he and Amber flee. Pollen wakes up and finds two other Agents after the money, and they team up and go after them to get back what is theirs. Duke and Amber buy a car and travel to an expensive Albuquerque hotel, and spend a few days gambling and having fun, and finally getting married. Amber also tells Duke that she is pregnant. Pollen and his men arrive the next day, however, and start searching for Duke. A room-service man takes the money from them, and Duke goes after him to get the cash back. Amber, meanwhile, is ambushed by Pollen, who threatens to kill her if she doesn't tell him where the money is. Amber tells him that Duke left her after she got pregnant, and Pollen believes her. He's about to kill her when she cuts him with a shard of glass and kills one of the other detectives. Pollen and the other Agent go after them, but Duke and Amber eventually escape, leaving the money hidden behind a bush as a bargaining tool should Pollen catch them.
Pollen is questioned by two suspicious detectives, who start following the DEA Agent around. Duke soon calls Pollen and says he doesn't want any more of it, and that they'll give him the money that day if they'll let Duke and Amber go. Pollen agrees, and deduces that they would have left the money at the hotel for safety. Duke goes back to get it, but the money is gone. He finds out a gardener quit the previous day, and he goes after the gardener. Sure enough the man took the money, and Duke leaves the man some of it when he learns the gardener has children.
Pollen and Morton follow Duke and Amber directly behind them. Duke pulls off at an abandoned warehouse, and the DEA Agents follow, with the detectives on their trails. After exchanging words, Pollen reveals that Morton has Amber tied up. Pollen then takes out horrific tools to make sure that Duke didn't tell anyone about what Pollen has done, but Duke fights back, killing the other detective. Pollen wounds Duke and the two fight. Pollen beats Duke with an iron pipe, but before Pollen can finish the beating, Amber kills him with Morton's shotgun. Duke dies of his injuries. One of the detectives enters the building, and unseen by Amber, manipulates the evidence so it appears that Pollen is at fault. Sometime later Amber is feeding a baby boy, and the camera pans back to show a new suburban house.

Tags: murder

Review:
Yes, this is an old storyline but I thought the story was credible, the actors did a good job and were believable and the locations were authentic.
Just remember folks, biggest isn't always best, just like this comment, I've said all I want to say but its not ten lines so I've got to fill it out!.
Christian Slater released two films at approximately the same time, "He Was a Quiet Man", and this particular piece.
"Love Lies Bleeding" is a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but imagine Clyde as a miserably ignorant, somewhat philosophical "nice guy".A young couple, Duke and Amber are living together on the wrong side of the tracks, dealing with poverty, crime, and general economic misfortune until coming upon a bag of money belonging to their drug-dealing neighbors.
Also sought after by dirty cop Pollen, they go on the run to escape their depressing lives and find their dream life of a house with a yard and 2.5 children...etc...Jenna Dewan is really developing quality acting skills, especially opposing Christian Slater's frightening "dirty cop" routine.
Christian Slater once again shows his talents and versatility (very obvious if going between this film and "He Was a Quiet Man).
Brian Geraghty was slightly over-done, but it suited the role (Iraq war-vet that didn't come home quite right).Overall, this film was chock-full of stereotypes and stayed rather cookie-cutter and predictable throughout.
It's not perfect by any means, but if you're not looking for substance, it's just a good entertaining film..
And the casting of Christian Slater doesn't bode too well however kick ass Jenna Dewan of Step Up and Tamara and sexy Brian Geraghty in full on hunk mode does add a bit of intrigue.
A down on their luck good natured young couple come upon a bag full of dirty cop money.
Christian Slater is actually quite menacing as the films villain but the real treasures here are Dewan and Geraghty.
The movie falls into a True Romance type category and borrows heavily from that film and all those other Bonnie and Clyde type films like it.
I really wish this film would have been given a chance it's much better than most released in theatres and is actually professionally made with a clean gritty look to it.
It's a shame that such a good film would be passed over because of lack of star power.
Not as great as true romance, but still good.
If you are to chose between watching true romance and this movie; chose true romance.
Different movies leaves difference impressions on me: i sometimes watch movies that are highly rated on IMDb (like "I am legend") and and is bored during the movie and afterward felt like i wasted a part of my life.
It is very exciting all the way, and balances the action with slower parts to actually produce an emotion of thriller to this viewer.The acting is decent, and i felt with the characters.
They felt like normal people and not like unrealistic super humans that's common these days in movies.
This film was truly awful, its a shame i read a review saying it was like true romance, "true romance being a 10 and this an 8".
As true romance is my favourite film i thought i'd given it a go.
I wish i'd watched true romance instead.
Christian Slater is the only good part in this film and the only reason he is in it is because he must be a bit hard up for cash.
The whole way through this couple are disgustingly cheesy and its an extremely cringeworthy film to watch.
I don't blame the actors for the cheese in this film because they weren't overly that bad, but the writer, some lines were terrible.
This film is nothing like TRUE ROMANCE..
I don't think I've ever seen a movie this bad in my life, honestly.
All I can muster is rhetoric, it's REALLY JUST THAT BAD.Acting is awful (especially Brian Geraghty, who is always stone like for no apparent reason), in fact, even Slater (which was a bit of a surprise) seems to struggle to play the role convincingly (it's just too over the top retarded I suppose).
It's one of those movies that you want to turn off from the beginning.Predictable plot, sloppy and uninspired cinematography, etc.
The way the characters flip-flop back and forth (about what to do with the money) when their lives are at stake is laughable.I will never write another review unless I see a movie poorer than this one.
In fact, I am so disgusted by Brian Geraghty's performance that I will never watch another movie that he is ever again.
It's been a while since I seen a good film, and this keeps you on the Edge of a the seat, There is not much I can say without spoiling the film, But a must see Movie it's a constant flow of Romance, Action and Thriller throughout The film, I would give this a rating of 7, because: A good story line, but nothing new it's been done before, The ending was good, but could have been better "they cut it too short" There was also two actors that I personally fort they could not act for a toffee:-p But overall I was impress and would watch this film again given the choice..
This is my first review as I felt compelled to write to say just how bad this film is.The acting is awful.
The direction is awful and this type of storyline has been done to death.What was Christian Slater thinking ?
I always watch films to the end of the titles but I was sooo glad when the, "Action", finished, I couldn't bear to see the names associated with this monstrosity.If you have 94 minutes to spare, just go and stare at a wall, you may find it more entertaining..
Almost every scene reeks of morbid stupidity making suspension of disbelief impossible except to wonder how bad can it be right to the end of this abysmal quagmire.
Anyone who claims to like this movie must own shares in or be a shill for the production company.
The character Duke is an absolute puke in this film.
I couldn't bear to watch this stupidity right through to the end.
Dumb and Dumber make this the Dumbest movie I have ever seen and the least worthy of watching, ever..
I don't know what Christian Slater is doing on a movie like this, his career must be as bad as it gets.
I rented because I had a credit to get a movie free and because Christian Slater was on the cover, so I thought this could be a nice movie, nothing too good but at least a regular movie.I have to say that I'm thankful that I didn't spent money on this.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't lost 90 minutes of your life with it, I did and I regret it!.
I have seen better on a county college film school.
They say that blood money is never good and this movie proves just that.Duke and Amber,a young couple who are engaged, are struggling to survive, when one night a corrupt cop, who will stop at nothing to get his money back, shoots their neighbour, who are also a bunch of thugs who had looted the house several times in order to finance their habits.
He takes the money and informs his fiancée that they are moving.Directed by Keith Samples, written by Brian Strassman, Love Lies Bleeding stars Christian Slater, Jenna Dewan and Brian Geraghty.
I have to start by saying,like most others have said,this movie is very similar to my all time favourite movie,True Romance,however,its still a good movie and i don't think you will waste your time watching it.Obviously the acting could have been better,but it wasn't ALL that bad,i still have a lump in my throat as well,i WOULD recommend this movie to anyone,and give it a chance,don't just watch the first 10 minutes and think,why am i watching this,it does get better and i give it an 8/10.It was strange seeing Slater play the opposite of Clarence Worley(his character in True Romance)but you do get used to it..
He figures a safe distance away and starts to settle down, only to find bad guy psychotic Slater on his trail.The genre categories on this film are stated as action, drama, and thrills.
Well, no thrills here, especially for someone who doesn't, ordinarily, like movies like this.As for some of the leads, Geraghty didn't pull off his character, at least I didn't believe him and when did Dewan grow up?
Three bad acting jobs takes three stars away from what WAS a good story line.
This was somewhat a routine set of stories brought up as a single movie to entertain the viewer.The film was not boring though.It was thrilling but nothing to jump up and down about.You know what i mean.The main character "Pollen" could have done a little bit more justice to his character than he did in this movie.
Christian Slater does a somewhat minor role compared to roles he played in Broken Arrow etc.In this movie Slater becomes the bad guy who is after the bag of money he lost during a shoot out.
Can be recommended if you have gone through all the movies in your movie store and left nothing else to watch when it comes to "Thrillers".
I recently purchased Love Lies Bleeding because I'm a fan of Jenna Dewan and Christian Slater.
This movie was a decent suspense thriller and I loved every minute of it.
Jenna Dewan(Tamara and Step Up) and Brian Geraghty(I Know Who Killed Me and Cruel World) star as a married teenage couple, who have a rough life, until he finds a bag of money.
Everything is going great until Christian Slater(Alone in the Dark) and his people show up to claim the money.
He plays a good psychopath in this flick, as he hunts the young couple to get back the millions of dollars of drug money.
OK the story and action is enough to make this a good movie, but the writers make the couple out to be so stupid it drives you nuts.
Without the stupidity I would rate this movie higher, but with it I have to give it a lower score.They steal drug money then buy a bright orange 57 Chevy to run away in.
I don't see how anyone can give this film a good rating and to compare it favourably with True Romance is an insult to that movie and film-making in general.
There's nothing new in this story but that is not what makes it a bad film.What makes this cringe-worthy viewing is the absolutely sloppy writing.
Our heroine in a maid's uniform with a massive and fresh gash on her head allowed to walk past a Police checkpoint who are on the look out for such a person.The list is absolutely endless, and there's even an apparently abandoned but fully functioning, rust and dereliction free power plant.I had given this 3/10 but now that I've written about it I realise that is too generous 2 is all it's worth despite the odd amusing reference to True Romance that has been slipped in..
this is one of the best action movies I've seen in a long time..and me and my spouse watch a lot of films.the acting is very believable,and u just feel for the couple who never seem to get any breaks..
If u want to watch an movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat..this one is a must see for you!from the very first scene this movie draws you into to world of duke and amber,a young couple just trying to build a life together.and when duke comes come to find his girlfriend beaten by some neighborhood thugs,he decides he has had enough and after he decides to buy as gun..their lives are suddenly turned upside down and they are led on the ride of their lives...soon they realize they are in way over their heads..and..well now u have to watch it to find out the rest...
This film was average because it resembles True Romance too much.
A couple looking to make a better life for themselves, stolen cash, bad guys and Christian Slater.
The likeness to True Romance was evident from the start and the constant 'I love you' between the couple added to this.
However, it wasn't as good as True Romance and the fact that it seemed like it was meant to be just like true romance made it worse.But worth a watch if not doing much else.
"Love Lies Bleeding" uses a done-to-death plot line, which is, "Protagonist(s) come across a large amount of cash belonging to bad guys, and the bad guys hunt down the protagonist(s)." Even if you haven't seen as many versions of this plot line as I have, more likely than not you'll find this version considerably below average.
The actors playing the protagonists (Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan) are much too bland to generate sympathy from the audience, and Christian Slater (who is miscast) overacts so much that his antagonist character isn't the least bit creepy or menacing, coming across more like a cartoon character.
The script has its share of flaws, such as some needed explanation for things (like how some ways the Slater character identifies and tracks down the protagonists) just isn't there, and how various plot turns are for the most part very predictable (like the climax taking place in...
The direction by Keith Samples is also inadequate - there is very little tension or excitement generated, and the movie for the most part comes across as cheap and tacky.
If you want to see a GOOD retelling of this formula, watch the Sean Bean movie "Ca$h" or the Scott Glenn movie "Night Of The Running Man" instead..
Prolific television director Keith Samples doesn't waste moment in his exciting little crime thriller "Love Lies Bleeding" with Christian Slater cast as a corrupt narcotics detective.
As just about everybody else has pointed out, this low-budget, Sony Pictures release appropriates the premise of "True Romance" about a young couple on the lam with a vindictive cop on their tail.
Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan-Tatum couldn't be more sympathetic as two young people who are struggling to eke out a living.
Duke and Amber live near a Hispanic hoodlum who likes to steal from them.
LAPD Narcotics Detective Pollen (Christian Slater of "Cuffs") pays a visit to Duke's Hispanic neighbors, but it isn't a social call.
Instead, Pollen wants a duffel of drug money that he needs to slip back into its property locker at the police department.
While Pollen is strewn in his own blood at the scene of the shoot-out, Duke walks in and spots the duffel stuffed with loot.
They are planning to make a new life for themselves with the illicit drug money.
That being said, we had no clue as to what to expect with this story about a young couple that are involved in robbing what appears to be "dirty money" from a gang of Latinos in a suburb of L.A. This film reminded us of movies of the genre that have been better made.
It calls to our mind "True Romance", and others with stronger story lines, something this film could have used.As a point of reference, this title has been used so many times before, we thought it might have been a remake of any of the other films, notably, the one from 1999 with Malcolm McDowell and Faye Dunaway in it.Directed by Keith Samples, a man with a lot of experience in television, the movie is based on a weak screenplay by Brian Strasman.
The story line doesn't make much sense, but one likes to go along to see where the plot takes us.
It is hard to imagine that Duke, the young man in love with Amber, will get involved in trying to outsmart people that want them dead because, stupidly, they have robbed a team of bad cops; little do they know that money was earmarked to trap the gang members in the first place.
Thus begin a chase throughout the Western states because Pollen, the sadistic policeman, will not give up and wants to trap the pair and make they pay for the humiliation of being outwitted by an amateur duet.Christian Slater plays another creepy character without good results.
Brian Geraghty and Jenna Dewan appear as the lovers that see the opportunity to start a new life far from their own backyard..
Good little B movie..
Good low budget exploitation film has an Iraq war vet trying to get buy in a bad neighborhood.
When his house is robbed by the local bad guys, he goes to get his stuff back and walks into the aftermath of a bloody shoot out over drug money.
He takes the money, grabs his girlfriend and runs.
Unfortunately the money belonged to a crooked DEA agent and he wants the money back.I never heard of this film before I stumbled on it and the presence of Christian Slater as the bad DEA agent was the reason I picked it up.
Slater is quite good as the bad guy and he makes watching this film a great deal of fun since its a nice break from his normal heroic screen persona.
The cast sells what is a run of the mill plot making this a perfect film for a rainy afternoon.
If there is any flaw its that the film feels a bit too much like True Romance at times.
Perhaps its Slater, perhaps its other things, but more than one I asked myself why they bothered copying Tarantino when the film works so well on its own terms.Worth a look.