Movielogr
Johnny Handsome (1989)
Directed by Walter Hill
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A career criminal who has been deformed since birth is given a new face by a kindly doctor and paroled from prison. It appears that he has gone straight, but he is really planning his revenge on the man who killed his mentor and sent him to prison.
Rated R | Length 94 minutes
Actors
Mickey Rourke | Ellen Barkin | Morgan Freeman | Forest Whitaker | Elizabeth McGovern | Lance Henriksen | Scott Wilson | David Schramm | Peter Jason | Yvonne Bryceland | Jeffrey Meek | J.W. Smith | Allan Graf | Edward Walsh | Eugenia Ives | Blake Clark | Ken Medlock | Ed Zang | John P. Fertitta | Raynor Scheine
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/29/2020 | Home Theater | Blu-ray | Owned | 5 stars |
| (Average) 5 stars |
Viewing Notes
A lesser Walter Hill film which has more in common with his more recent output like BULLET TO THE HEAD or THE ASSIGNMENT (or going back further, SOUTHERN COMFORT) than it does with his classics like THE WARRIORS or STREETS OF FIRE (hey, they’re classics to me!).
I hadn’t seen this in ages so I was pretty happy to revisit it. Barkin and Henricksen chew ALL the scenery in every scene they’re in! Such a great duo that you kind of wish they’d had more depth to their stories, and hence more screen time.
McGovern plays the baby-faced innocent love interest. She’s so wholesome that even when you discover she’s been fixing the payroll you instantly forgive her. Strangely, she does a fleeting nude scene where the audience gets exposed to one of her breasts and even that feels out of place!
I totally forgot that both Morgan Freeman and Forest Whitaker have pretty hefty supporting roles in this. Both are great, especially Freeman as a cynical lawman hounding Johnny Handsome throughout.
It was also good to see the great character actor Scott Wilson (people would know him best for his role on THE WALKING DEAD where he played Hershel) in a small but critical role in this. Another prolific character actor, Peter Jason, shows up as well. I always think he looks like Meatloaf! The most recent thing I’ve watched that I can remember seeing him in was HAIL, CAESAR! from the Cohen Brothers.
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