Retro Film Review: Judas Kiss (1998)
Everyone who follows the trends of cinema industry is aware that the very things that make certain films look fresh and original are the very things that make them less mainstream. Because of not being mainstream enough, such films don't get distribution worthy of their quality. Judas Kiss, 1998 thriller written and directed by Sebastian Gutierrez, suffered such fate.
Protagonist of the film is Coco Chavez (played by Carla Gugino), young and attractive woman who, together with her boyfriend Junior Armstrong (played by Simon Baker-Denny), earns her living as a small-time con artist. One day Junior comes with a plan for a more lucrative operation - kidnapping of Ben Dyson (played by Greg Wise), computer genius for whose release his company could pay millions of dollars. Junior and Coco are joined by technical wizard Lizard Browning (played by Gill Bellows) and German muscleman Ruben Rubenbauer (played by Til Schweiger). During the otherwise successful abduction, Coco is forced to kill a woman who witnessed the incident. The woman happened to be the wife of powerful Senator Rupert Hornbeck (played by Hal Halbrook) and the abductors realise that they are in deep trouble. Law enforcement resources are mobilised in this high-profile case - FBI, represented by Special Agent Sadie Hawkins (played by Emma Thompson), investigates kidnapping aided by New Orleans Police detective David Friedman (played by Alan Rickman). Those two investigators, as well as some of the abductors, gradually realise that the series of seemingly random events was actually a part of much more elaborate scheme.
Judas Kiss looks fresh despite having not particularly original script. Gutierrez combined the elements of Tarantinoesque black comedy about criminal enterprises going bad and film noir. Even those less familiar with those genres won't have much problems in deciphering the way the plot ends. Lack of surprise twists is compensated with the film's refreshing look, atmosphere and the attitude of its characters. Gutierrez chose combination of relatively unknown and distinctively un-American cast. British screen icons Thompson and Rickman are trying their best to create their own parody of "buddy buddy" situation from countless other police movies. Til Schweiger with his presence doesn't just gives this film its international dimension; his character gives fresh perspective on some of the all-familiar pop culture references. However, the best impression is given by Carla Gugino who does her best to portray attractive character the audience could root for, despite some of her rather questionable actions.
Judas Kiss also benefits from the way Gutierrez captured the atmosphere of New Orleans and its exotic locations. James Chressantis provided this film with good cinematography while Christopher Young wrote very suggestive musical score. But the generally good impression of Judas Kiss is somewhat spoiled with the predictability of the film's ending. Those who watch the end credits won't have many reasons to complain; despite not being too original, this film is entertaining enough to deserve a fate much better than its obscurity.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on July 9th 2004)
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