Forget the critics. Each one of Matt Dillon's movies is in and of itself a gem, both with the unique characterizations, the photography, the direction and the writing. this one is a good example.
Just once before i die, however, I hope that ONE movie will take a sociopath such as Matt Dillon plays so well and give us an explanation. There were enough scenes in which he gets this introspective look in his eyes. That would be the great place for a flashback to the poor-looking home he came from, with the decent sounding, resigned and heart-broken father and the mother walking into the house, as the cops walk up to them to report yet another crime done by their son. What happened to him there? The police report to us that he came from a good home, church-going family. As he drives the stolen car down the highway in his stolen clothes, he is listening to gospel music on the car radio. What went wrong? Plenty of twists and turns in this movie, as you wonder if McCarthy will suddenly turn on Dillon when he gets the chance or continue to play the 'straight arrow'. Unfortunately, the movie goes for the Hollywood ending, instead of the one it should. Vagrants coming in off the freight train don't marry the rancher's daughter, no matter how nice it sounds....even when he saves a kid's life.
The beauty of the sunflowers in the Kansas field will remind you of Van Gogh and HIS madness. The sight of Dillon practicing his gun draw will take you right back to DeNiro in "TaxiDriver". The sight of Dillon backing his car up to crash into the police car will remind you of the same 'unique' sight in 'Albino Alligator'. Obviously the guy doing the commentary on the 'Alligator' DVD never saw 'Kansas'.
I am hoping that all of Dillon's movies will eventually wind up on a DVD with commentary by Dillon. It would add immeasurably to our understanding of the characters. Also, I'd love to hear what his relationship with McCarthy was and is. Of course, there Dillon is with one of his "Singles" co-stars, Kyra Sedgwick.....Kevin Bacon's wife. Yep, Kevin Bacon who he starred with in "Wild Things". Oh, how incestuous these Hollywood stars are. Obviously, Dillon gets along well with these folks.
So, we've seen Dillon play the hood, the maniac, the hot rod racer, the shyster detective. When will he play an Irish guy and be true to his roots? Even though he drinks in this movie and others, you never see him drunk. Oh, yes: "Factotum". Stay tuned.
Just once before i die, however, I hope that ONE movie will take a sociopath such as Matt Dillon plays so well and give us an explanation. There were enough scenes in which he gets this introspective look in his eyes. That would be the great place for a flashback to the poor-looking home he came from, with the decent sounding, resigned and heart-broken father and the mother walking into the house, as the cops walk up to them to report yet another crime done by their son. What happened to him there? The police report to us that he came from a good home, church-going family. As he drives the stolen car down the highway in his stolen clothes, he is listening to gospel music on the car radio. What went wrong? Plenty of twists and turns in this movie, as you wonder if McCarthy will suddenly turn on Dillon when he gets the chance or continue to play the 'straight arrow'. Unfortunately, the movie goes for the Hollywood ending, instead of the one it should. Vagrants coming in off the freight train don't marry the rancher's daughter, no matter how nice it sounds....even when he saves a kid's life.
The beauty of the sunflowers in the Kansas field will remind you of Van Gogh and HIS madness. The sight of Dillon practicing his gun draw will take you right back to DeNiro in "TaxiDriver". The sight of Dillon backing his car up to crash into the police car will remind you of the same 'unique' sight in 'Albino Alligator'. Obviously the guy doing the commentary on the 'Alligator' DVD never saw 'Kansas'.
I am hoping that all of Dillon's movies will eventually wind up on a DVD with commentary by Dillon. It would add immeasurably to our understanding of the characters. Also, I'd love to hear what his relationship with McCarthy was and is. Of course, there Dillon is with one of his "Singles" co-stars, Kyra Sedgwick.....Kevin Bacon's wife. Yep, Kevin Bacon who he starred with in "Wild Things". Oh, how incestuous these Hollywood stars are. Obviously, Dillon gets along well with these folks.
So, we've seen Dillon play the hood, the maniac, the hot rod racer, the shyster detective. When will he play an Irish guy and be true to his roots? Even though he drinks in this movie and others, you never see him drunk. Oh, yes: "Factotum". Stay tuned.