VIDEO REVIEW: RECORDED DELIVERY

Fiona Sturges
Friday 05 December 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Absolute Power (15) Columbia, rental, 10 Dec

Despite being a jewel thief, Luther (a haggard Clint Eastwood) is a profound individual - we know this because he has a passion for art. We first see him copying an El Greco in a gallery and returning home to leaf through his sketchbooks in a house filled with paintings. The narrative gets to the point as he rummages through the home of a Washington fat cat. He is disturbed by the Lady of the Manor who brings home the philandering US President (Gene Hackman) and, while hiding behind a conveniently located two-way mirror, is witness to her murder. Clint must decide whether to run for the hills or risk death and expose the corrupt forces of democracy - while patching things up with his estranged daughter. A compelling and compassionate film, despite its ridiculously macho title. HHH

Big Night (15) Columbia, rental, 10 Dec

"Bite your teeth into the arse of life!" is Ian Holm's rip-roaring maxim in Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci's beautifully crafted film. Primo and Secondo are the incongruous Italian bothers struggling to make a living as restaurateurs in New Jersey. Primo, the chef, strives to remain true to the culinary principles of his homeland and flings saucepans at a woman who goes starch- mad and demands spaghetti with her risotto. Secondo, who constantly treads on eggshells around his brother's temper, looks to making a fast buck to fend off the debt-collectors. Pascal (Holm) comes up with a plan for the brothers to host a dinner party for jazz bandleader Louis Prima, thereby gathering publicity for their waning establishment. A deliciously colourful banquet of a film. HHHH

City of Industry (18) Polygram, rental, 8 Dec

Harvey Keitel continues to hang on the Reservoir Dogs coat-tails, having landed another hard- man-with-big-gun role as Roy in John Irvine's limp thriller. A heist inevitably goes wrong as the getaway driver, Skip (Stephen Dorff) runs away with the loot while Roy's in hot pursuit. The baddies prove to be much more interesting than the slow, snarling Keitel whose gut-busting line "I'm my own police" incites more annoyance than dread. H

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in