Final Cut (1998)

Saved by Ray Winstone

I am moved to write a review out of frustration that a movie with a promising premise and a charismatic lead actor can turn out so...all I can think of is a dead fish....cold, useless and sort of stinky.

Interesting premise, but defies any sort of logic. So Jude begins the film...why? It certainly sounds like he wants it to be seen after he dies. But his death is an accident. His narrative sounds like a man mulling over his mortality. But his death is an accident. So why was he making a movie like this? Coincidence? HUH? No logic. And so his wife, Sadie (5 stars for Bad Acting Hall of Famer Sadie Frost...man, she is just uncomfortably laughably bad) finishes his film? It is implausible in the extreme.

She calls the cops...when...? ...to catch Ray as he makes his exit? Is she clairvoyant? Lame. As if the cops would wait for her to set all this up. No. And they send what amounts to a SWAT team. HUH?

But. A side note. Anything with Ray Winstone is worth watching. Even this. But just for his crackling, pent-up, electric energy. He is scary and beguiling and you don't really take your eyes off him for a moment. He swears creatively, admirably and with great enthusiasm. I was nearly taking notes.

He is worth seeking out in anything. Amazing, under-the-radar actor.

Awful film. Love Ray. October 4, 2005

A little disappointed...

Am I the only one who didn't like this movie? Sure, it was an original idea and the revelation of how Jude died was surprising, to say the least. Still, it was very slow-moving and even though Ray Whinstone was very good and Jude Law looked as hot as ever, there wasn't much else to hold my attention. The female leads all acted as if this were the first time they had read their lines - Sadie Frost, in my opinion, was terrible! Surely they could have found some actresses who would show a little emotion and seem sincere when they did show a little emotion. So, I give this film kudos for such an original idea and the unique way in which it was filmed and presented, but otherwise, I have to give it two thumbs down :-( June 27, 2005

Did that really happen?

strolling though blockbuster has become an everyday occurance due to the movie pass that has come about in the last few months. when i came across this film on the shelf it seemed like and intersting conscept and turned out to be much more than i expected....

the film opens with a dedication to Jude who has passed away in October of 98. as freinds gather at his house for the reception it is evident that these are friends who were closest to him. after greeting they all move into the den where they are shown something that noone expected and/or will recover from. Jude's wife Sadie anounces that as a request by Jude she will show a tape that he had worked on for the last 2 years of his life. Sadie has already seen the tape and declares that it has comforted her through this time, which is untrue and only sets up what comes next.

when the tape begins its as you would expect this sort of thing to be. a naration by Jude and even a friendly little melody and montage to start things off. from here, though, the tape begins to reveal the true side of each person in the room, some funny, some embaracing, and some that will ruin bonds of friendship forever. it even includes a secret of Jude himself, which sets up a fanale` with a twist that will slap you square in the face.

the acting in this film is superb. to be able to pull off such a real shock, anger, disbileif, and ebarisment is a reflection of the talent of the actors on board. as you begin to learn of and know the characters you find yourself wondering, "could this be for real?"

this movie was briliantly done and one i am glad that i stumbled accross, though gets little publicity. if you do see this, and enjoy it recomend it to your friends, it might be the only time they hear of it. also if this movie intruiged you here are a couple of other movies that play as a biography: "Insident at Loch Ness" and "The Last Horror Movie"
hope this has helped you helped you.
if you would, give me some feedback of your own,(...) thanks June 26, 2005

amazing acting

Watched in complete disbelief, how they can act like this - complete immersion in the characters with tonns of minute detail with such level of creativity. Ray Winstone and Jude Law are especially impressive. July 10, 2004

Finger Sandwiches...

Jude Law. Nuff said.

But really - what a bizarrely made film. Man dies, and leaves behind a film documentary that he secretly taped of all his friends in their real and private moments. It his wish that they all watch the film together at the funeral.

And then the fun & chaos begin...

How carefully Sadie, Jude's widow, sits there studying each face in the room as each friend is revealed in their naked and raw moments. As each ugly truth is pranced on the screen for all to see.

But Sadie never gives anything away.

Ray Winstone (SEXY BEAST) taught me a whole slew of new Cockney curses. April 17, 2004

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