Conspiracy thrillers often suffer from two major defaults, and in "Flashpoint" they annoyed me tremendously. #1: the conspiracy on which the plot revolves is, obviously, top-secret and the script does everything humanly possible to reveal as little as possible throughout almost the entire running time. This is okay for a while, during the buildup, but eventually you do have to bring some clarity on the matter. This film stubbornly refuses. #2: to make things even more stupid, the clue of the "conspiracy" is too often bluntly revealed on the cover of the DVD or film-poster. This is somehow logical, since it can be used to raise curiosity and to lure potential viewers, but it comes across as extra imbecilic if you subsequently keep it secretive and unmentioned during most of the film. I knew straight away that "Flashpoint" deals with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Not because I'm a genius, but because his picture is on the cover with a bullseye drawn around it!
Most unfortunately, and I mean that, since "Flashpoint" features a lot of elements you can't but love! The setting and characters are unique, namely border patrol officers in a godforsaken zone an hour outside of San Antonio. The cast is also literally to die for, especially if you - like me - have a fondness for underrated and inconspicuous B-movie mugs. Kristofferson and Williams are great in the leads, but the supportive cast is even more impressive: Rip Torn, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Roberts Blossom... Last but not least, there are also numerous sequences that are genuinely powerful, like William's brutally honest outburst to a human trafficker, or when the duo makes a gruesome discovery in a barn. Long story short, I honestly wanted to enjoy "Flashpoint", but the conspiracy got in the way.
Most unfortunately, and I mean that, since "Flashpoint" features a lot of elements you can't but love! The setting and characters are unique, namely border patrol officers in a godforsaken zone an hour outside of San Antonio. The cast is also literally to die for, especially if you - like me - have a fondness for underrated and inconspicuous B-movie mugs. Kristofferson and Williams are great in the leads, but the supportive cast is even more impressive: Rip Torn, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Roberts Blossom... Last but not least, there are also numerous sequences that are genuinely powerful, like William's brutally honest outburst to a human trafficker, or when the duo makes a gruesome discovery in a barn. Long story short, I honestly wanted to enjoy "Flashpoint", but the conspiracy got in the way.