U-Turn : Special Edition

Starring : Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Jon Voight

Director : Oliver Stone

Screen Format : Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1

Language :
- English (5.1)
- English (Surround)
- Spanish (Surround)

Subtitle : Engliah, Cantonese, Thai

[ DVD - Zone 3 - NTSC ]

Story :

Oliver Stone used such words as "liberating" and "fun" to talk about U Turn's relatively quick production schedule of 42 days. Stone's ideas of film fun; however; are something older generations would call sick. This film is a Southwestern noir tale about Bobby Cooper (Sean Penn); a hotshot who is stuck in the tight confines of Superior; Arizona; when his car breaks down. His subsequent adventure is a meatball comedy--loud; obnoxious; and violent; and stuffed with diffused light; a hot cast; and a no-fat Ennio Morricone score. This film has plenty of odd characters; but you never really find out much about them. Bobby's first encounters include a repulsive mechanic (Billy Bob Thornton under the grease) and a blind Indian (Jon Voight under the makeup). Then there's Grace McKenna (a sizzling Jennifer Lopez); who is as dangerous as the curves of her red sundress. Bobby's got time to kill; and Grace seems more than willing. Unfortunately; it seems that Bobby has never seen a movie such as A Touch of Evil; if he had; he would know it can only get worse. About the time Grace's husband; Jake (Nick Nolte); shows up; Bobby is knee-deep in murder plots and double-crosses.
The first 40 minutes or so are "fun" to a point. Penn is the perfect near-creep to root for; and as he wanders back into town after meeting Grace; the eclectic characters pile up. But soon it gets monotonous; tiring; and just plain ugly. And when incest and bloody fights begin; the fun is gone. If Penn weren't so solid an actor and able to be empathetic in the most morose situations; the movie would be unwatchable at stretches. Lopez makes another good impression; but this is not a performance that stands out. Nolte; raspy and ill-looking; is the Lee Marvin of the '90s. Before U Turn is over; you are already wondering if Oliver Stone will do something else; something more important; soon.