I really liked this film. Far be it from being one of the greatest films of all time, this is one that is in the category of "underrated" like Loser and The Bone Collector. I really liked the way the plot and the characters developed. To me, I thought the cast were all a little out there but isn't all of humanity like that in form or another. Kevin Kline did very well as an unfairly disgraced homocide cop who had a beatnik mentality. He turned what many might consider a very below standard screenplay and turned it into a watchable film. His performance is the best of the movie. The performances of Alan Rickman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Danny Aiello are also noteworthy. There are a few flaws in this film but it was a great work overall. It isn't as bad as the IMDB rating suggests. It is very adult and somewhat intellectual and it is almost believable. The ending surprised me and I don't think it was chinsy or overdone. I think it was supposed to try and imitate real life a little bit and it succeeded. It may not fit a particular genre but that doesn't mean it stinks. This is a film that doesn't conform to certain Hollywood standards and that is the main reason I liked it. This is one of Kevin Kline's best films and I suggest the detractors should take another look at it. The January Man is one of the most underrated films of all time and it will probably always be that way.
9 out of 10. It's amazing what 10 bucks and the bargain DVD rack at Wal-Mart can get you.
9 out of 10. It's amazing what 10 bucks and the bargain DVD rack at Wal-Mart can get you.