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Laramie Movie Scope: Ronin

A high-energy action film for thinking people

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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September 26, 1998 -- "Ronin" is a cut above the standard action film. It has intelligent, well-rounded characters. It pays attention to detail. It has very well-written dialogue and the stunt work is very convincing.

Robert De Niro, heads a cast of very fine actors as Sam, a sort of secret agent for hire. Jean Reno ("La Femme Nikita") also stars as Vincent, another member of the team hired by the IRA to swipe a mysterious weapon. Also involved in the caper are Seamus (Jonathan Pryce of "Tomorrow Never Dies") and Dierdre (Natascha McElhone) is the leader of the pack.

We never learn much about the backgrounds of the people involved in the caper to get the weapon. In that respect the story is similar to "Reservoir Dogs." Yet without knowing the backgrounds of the members of this team of strangers, we learn enough about their personalities.

The mysterious weapon, always carried inside of a steel suitcase, is not revealed either, and several other key characters in the movie are kept secret as well. This adds to the film's air of mystery. In that respect, it is a bit like a James Bond film, except that it is much more edgy.

The story takes place in France and much of the dialogue is in French. That, along with good use of location shots gives the film a very authentic European feel. Veteran director John Frankenheimer ("The Manchurian Candidate") shows his skill at maintaining suspense, drama and action throughout the film.

De Niro and Reno share a number of scenes together and they work very well together. One scene, especially, where the two men try to figure out where that mysterious package went to is very entertaining. It is not often you see people in a movie engaged in serious conversation and thought. It seemed very believable.

The action is intense, especially during a couple of extended car chases through crowded, narrow French streets. The chases and car crashes are expertly staged, as are a number of gun battles. The villains are wonderfully complex, ruthless and smart. This is a thinking man's caper movie. The only bad thing is, there is really no one to root for. Just the same, it rates a B+.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 1998 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)