A modern film noir tale of murder and paranoia set amid the grit of a 1950s industrial city based on the novel by Cornell Woolrich (Rear Window).
 |  | A bad film, even 4 Blondie fans... |  |
... best thing it gave rise to was "union City Blue", one of their best singles. Debbie singsa about the pain of getting up to go and shoot this crap on set.
It's total garbage as an "existentialist thriller" or anything of merit. Just bad pseudo-intellectual rubbish, best-forgetten about by Debbbie Harry or anyone else thinking that this is a tribute to Truffaut... GROW UP!!!
Patrick
January 7, 2006Harlan (Dennis Lipscomb) is obsessed with discovering who's stealing his milk every morning, ignoring his frustrated young wife (Deborah Harry) in the process. Mayhem ensues.
UNION CITY is a hyper-stylized neo-noir that never takes off. The sets are flooded in loud reds, or blues, or greens. The direction is loose and the acting is almost uniformly mediocre. It's apparent director Marcus Reichert was aiming at atmosphere and ambience, but in my case he missed by a country mile. The only spark of recognition generated by this one was when Harlan says of a crazy neighbor lady: "Don't tell me you can understand what she's talking about." Nope, can't say that I can understand. Can't say that I much care, either.
July 17, 2004| | | worst transfer of film to DVD ever | |
This would be a great DVD if only the transfer were at least mediocre. It is in fact possibly the worst transfer of film to DVD I've ever seen. I remember seeing this film at the Filmex film festival many years ago, and recalling the cinematography by Ed Lachman to be way too cool. None of that is apparent by watching this release by Fox Lorber. Please, someone release a better version!
July 13, 2004 | | CORRECTION: THIS REVIEW WRITTEN BY MARTIN LEHMANN | |
...Union City is the ultimate French existentialist thriller - you hang on every word like a meathook - but made in New Jersey in 1979. Firstly, you have got to get off on the images, which are like rotting fruit, and, secondly, you have got to wonder at the conviction of these actors, especially Deborah Harry, who all give the most extraordinary dead-pan performances....
July 22, 2002| | | CORRECTION: THIS REVIEW WRITTEN BY MARTIN LEHMANN | |
I am always astounded when I read that someone does not appreciate this film. Union City is the ultimate French existentialist thriller - you hang on every word like a meathook - but made in New Jersey in 1979. Firstly, you have got to get off on the images, which are like rotting fruit, and, secondly, you have got to wonder at the conviction of these actors, especially Deborah Harry, who all give the most extraordinary dead-pan performances. I have laughed so hard watching this ditty I wept, while my significant other was telling me to shut-up because she wanted to know what happens next! I made it up to her later. A couple of weeks ago I was in London - selling shoes, which is what I do - and I got back to my hotel quite late after a tedious meal and what do I find on Film Four but Union City. Luckily, my room had one of those little fridges, but it cost me a fortune - still a great ending to a so-so night. Don't complain pal ...
July 22, 2002More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
(14 reviews)