Out of Sight (1998)

My favorite movie

I love love love this movie. I saw it when it first came to video and I have watched it many times. This is perhaps the only instance where I prefer the movie to the book. The cast is magnificent. George and Jennifer have great chemistry and make their rather improbable romance seem somewhat plausible. Both characters are sexy, quirky, smart, flawed. This was the first time that I saw Catherine Keener, Don Cheadle and Steve Zahn in a movie. Nowadays they are some of my favorite actors and I always look out for their films. There are many other talented and well known actors in the film, and they blend in to make a great ensemble cast. Since seeing this movie I have always made a point of watching Soderbergh's films, however some are a bit too out there for me.

There are many other reasons why I enjoy this movie. The story itself is rather simple; guy (George) breaks out of jail with help of a friend, meets girl (Jennifer), obsesses about girl (whom is a federal marshal trying to arrest him), meets up with criminals he met in jail, robs another guy he met in jail. However, the script is amazing, with interesting characters, great dialogue and interesting stories behind the characters. The flashback story-telling works well, and keeps the story moving along at a great pace. It also keeps you guessing. Some people that I have watched it with have complained that it is confusing. The music is good. Many locations are used, and each has their own theme and color palette, making the movie very interesting visually.

There is a great documentary on the making of the film; it's one of the best I've seen. It has in-depth discussions about many aspects of the film making process and it is fascinating to see how much thought goes into seemingly little details (e.g. the color of the prison jumpsuits).
November 6, 2008

This film is far from `out of sight'...

A lot of people love this movie. I was not one of them. Sure, it was decently enjoyable and it kept me entertained for the most part, but in the end there is really nothing special about `Out of Sight', nothing that makes it stand out as superior to the other million crime capers out there today. Much like Clooney's other misfire `Oceans Eleven', `Out of Sight' has all the right pieces but it fails to put them in the correct order.

The film tells the story of bank robber Jack Foley. He finds himself behind bars, but he has a big score going down that he needs to be a part of and so he tags along with a few other inmates planning an escape. The escape is partially botched when police detective Karen Sisco happens to be across from the prison when the men bust through the ground. Jack and his friend Buddy (who showed up with the getaway car) throw Karen in the trunk of her own car and head off down the road. In the truck Karen gets to spend a few minutes alone with Jack and the two share a moment that sparks an attraction that will put a major damper in Jack's plans.

The rest of the film is a hodgepodge of plot twists and interwoven characters who play major roles in each other characters development. You have Glenn who came up with the current scheme to steal uncut diamonds from a former inmate. You have Snoopy, the former boxer turned criminal who wants a piece of the action. You have Adele, Jack's ex-wife who finds herself part of the action when Jack's mess catches up with him. You have Marshall, Karen's father, who makes himself part of it as he tries to guide his daughter to the right decision. You have Richard, you know, the guy with the diamonds, and you have a number of other criminals who try and weasel their way into the heist. At the center of this collective mess of wrong-doers there is a steamy romance building between Jack and Karen.

First off I'll say that the film can be kind of confusing at times, which is a drawback. There are so many flashbacks to prison days that one is left wondering who is in jail when and where and what is really going one; and this happens more than once. The chemistry between Clooney and Lopez is great, but they don't really share enough screen time together, and their romance is a tad improbable, especially when you factor in the ending. The acting is all fine, especially that of Don Cheadle who is by far the best thing about this movie, but the acting can't make up for the lapses in plot. There are just too many times when the film fails to work that the times it does work just can't hold their own.

Also, is it just me or does Ving Rhames play the same character in every movie?

I don't hate this movie, but I can't rally behind it either. It is an average crime capper with a less that desirable construction which brings it down a few notches. Clooney is charming, but no more so than usual, and Lopez sizzles when given the opportunity, but aside from a choice bathtub scene and a interesting striptease the film seems uninterested in investigating this unlikely romance long enough to keep us hooked. Cheadle's spicy gangster is the biggest draw to this film, and it is really the only above average part of it. September 29, 2008

Husband's Fave!!!

I ordered this movie for my husband. It is one of his all time favorites!! Great movie for a great price!! Highly recommended!! September 15, 2008

Clooney, Lopez & Soderburgh are Out of Sight!!

This neglected film noir by Elmore Leonard and excellently directed by Steven Soderburgh with a fine script by Scott Frank still didn't quite make it at the box office despite great reviews. Some breakout performances by Clooney and Lopez plus their chemistry and a great cast (Don Cheadle, Albert Brooks, Ving Rhames) make this one a winner. Clooney plays an escaped thief who while escaping from the pen, falls in love with government agent Lopez. Their characters provide the heat but the rest of the supporting cast provide the color. It's been reported that Lopez & Clooney didn't get along while filming this but you wouldn't know this from their scenes together!! The HD DVD transfer of this neglected film noir is excellent and also a bargain at a price under $10.00!! So if you still have an HD unit and haven't abandoned it do get this one. It is definitely OUT OF SIGHT!! July 9, 2008

Great Caper Flick

What great fun this movie is. If you like humor mixed in with your dramas you appreciate this. The chemistry between characters is wonderful. June 3, 2008

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