Rating: 
Summary: An Overall great movie
Review: "Devil in a Blue Dress" is based off of the same titled novel by Walter Mosely. The movie stars Denzel Washington as "Easy" Rawlins, an out of work aircraft engineer looking for a quick buck to save his house. He gets mixed in what seems like a simple job for easy money, but finds out there is more than meets the eye. He now has to go out for himself to get to the bottom of the crime that is threatening to be placed on him.
This is such a good movie. Denzel Washington gives an excellent performance as Easy Rawlins. He really lets the audience in on Easy's ambitious yet emotional side. Dnzel really brings an "everyman" charcteristic to this character. Maybe not one of HIS best works, but even his worst is pretty good.
Tom Sizemore does excellent as DeWitt Albright. He brought an extra sleaziness to the character without being too violent.
But the person who stole the movie was Don Cheadle as Raymond "Mouse" Alexander. It is amazing how Cheadle takes this characte of Mouse, who is supposed to be this hot-tempered, gun-wielding, criminal, and gives him a sort of playful innoncence. Cheadle definitely shines at those moments in the movie where Mouse flies off of the deep end and starts shooting everything in sight, but he also gives Mouse some comic value that is incredible.
I also like how the plot keeps you guessing a little bit, but also lets you figure out where the film is going plotwise without holding your hand to do so. This was a superbly acted, written, and directed movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Uniqueness amongst Conventionality
Review: 'Devil in a Blue Dress' quickly creates a very appealing misé en scene that's constructed upon upbeat and sunlit scenery. Combined with director Franklin's dexterous dolly movements and smooth camera techniques that follow the always-charismatic Denzel Washington around the culturally diverse streets of 1948 Los Angeles, it makes you want to throw your imagination into its storyline for a few hours. With brooding and insidious male characters, beautiful and mysterious female characters, voiceover narration by the protagonist, and a gradually revelatory, detective-like storyline we get the sense that we're watching a more-colorful-than-usual film noir. There's no question that it couldn't have been setup much better; it's too bad that it slowly-but-surely dissipates away into the realm of conventionality. As far as underrated acting goes - Tom Sizemore is spectacularly sleazy as the coldhearted DeWitt Albright and Maury Chaykin is his usually creepy self as the political Matthew Terell. Easy Rawlins (Washington) is a familiar character - he's a man who will do just about whatever he has to do in order to earn some cash, although he's proud of his dignity and won't sell himself short. He's also more amiable and compassionate than the average man is, which is what ultimately differentiates him from the bad guys of the story. The lesser-seen element here, however, is that he also happens to be Afro-American. It's refreshing to see a film concentrate upon this culture without trying to dictate too many things to us about it - race is an element of this film, but it's not a particularly prominent or overblown one. A myriad of different characters are introduced - sometimes it seems as if the film is actually relying upon the appearances of new characters in order to progress the plot, and even then some things aren't made very clear. I understand that the writers were simply trying to convey the sheer volume of the situation that Easy has gotten himself into, but its lack of tautness just gets annoying after a while. And there is a cool aura of mystery surrounding the plot until you realize that it's simply going down the all-too-familiar cinematic road of political corruption. The final theme of an average man achieving complacency through oppression is well communicated, but couldn't it have been done in a slightly more interesting/original/unique way?
Rating:
Summary: Uniqueness amongst Conventionality
Review: 'Devil in a Blue Dress' quickly creates a very appealing misé en scene that's constructed upon upbeat and sunlit scenery. Combined with director Franklin's dexterous dolly movements and smooth camera techniques that follow the always-charismatic Denzel Washington around the culturally diverse streets of 1948 Los Angeles, it makes you want to throw your imagination into its storyline for a few hours. With brooding and insidious male characters, beautiful and mysterious female characters, voiceover narration by the protagonist, and a gradually revelatory, detective-like storyline we get the sense that we're watching a more-colorful-than-usual film noir. There's no question that it couldn't have been setup much better; it's too bad that it slowly-but-surely dissipates away into the realm of conventionality. As far as underrated acting goes - Tom Sizemore is spectacularly sleazy as the coldhearted DeWitt Albright and Maury Chaykin is his usually creepy self as the political Matthew Terell. Easy Rawlins (Washington) is a familiar character - he's a man who will do just about whatever he has to do in order to earn some cash, although he's proud of his dignity and won't sell himself short. He's also more amiable and compassionate than the average man is, which is what ultimately differentiates him from the bad guys of the story. The lesser-seen element here, however, is that he also happens to be Afro-American. It's refreshing to see a film concentrate upon this culture without trying to dictate too many things to us about it - race is an element of this film, but it's not a particularly prominent or overblown one. A myriad of different characters are introduced - sometimes it seems as if the film is actually relying upon the appearances of new characters in order to progress the plot, and even then some things aren't made very clear. I understand that the writers were simply trying to convey the sheer volume of the situation that Easy has gotten himself into, but its lack of tautness just gets annoying after a while. And there is a cool aura of mystery surrounding the plot until you realize that it's simply going down the all-too-familiar cinematic road of political corruption. The final theme of an average man achieving complacency through oppression is well communicated, but couldn't it have been done in a slightly more interesting/original/unique way?
Rating:
Summary: A neo-noir of the first order
Review: A voluptuously seedy tale of blackmail, murder and double-cross, "Devil in a Blue Dress" captures splendidly the mood of the forties, and is a worthy modern equivalent to old gems such as "Double Indemnity", "The Blue Dahlia" and "The Big Sleep". Acting, writing, direction, cinematography and music are all of an par above the standards of conventional filmmaking. Denzel Washington -- (an actor who is flawless in every performance) -- is superb in the role of Walter Moseley's detective, Easy Rawlins, the classic noir type of the down-at-heel gumshoe. He receives excellent support from Jennifer Beals, Tom Sizemore and Don Cheadle as his gun-crazy help. A heady aroma of sexuality and intrigue make this one of the most absorbing of recent noir film adaptations. Carl Franklin, with a flair for suspenseful situations, directs crisply.
Rating:
Summary: A neo-noir of the first order
Review: A voluptuously seedy tale of blackmail, murder and double-cross, "Devil in a Blue Dress" captures splendidly the mood of the forties, and is a worthy modern equivalent to old gems such as "Double Indemnity", "The Blue Dahlia" and "The Big Sleep". Acting, writing, direction, cinematography and music are all of an par above the standards of conventional filmmaking. Denzel Washington -- (an actor who is flawless in every performance) -- is superb in the role of Walter Moseley's detective, Easy Rawlins, the classic noir type of the down-at-heel gumshoe. He receives excellent support from Jennifer Beals, Tom Sizemore and Don Cheadle as his gun-crazy help. A heady aroma of sexuality and intrigue make this one of the most absorbing of recent noir film adaptations. Carl Franklin, with a flair for suspenseful situations, directs crisply.
Rating:
Summary: Devil with a lot of sexuality
Review: Denzel and Lisa Nicole Carson [who played Carla in ER opposite Peter Benton's character] heat up the screen with their... love making doesn't really quite apply here, but let's stick that I suppose. Tom Sizemore delivers a stellar performance. The film has a sleek, stylized quality to it. Period piece. Denzel delivers as he does time and time again. A good movie, but be prepared for violence and serious sexual content.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy on the eyes
Review: Devil in a Blue Dress starring Denzel Washington has much to recommend it: the post war Los Angeles period setting, an exciting plot, great music and Denzel Washington in a sleeveless T. Denzel plays Ezekiel or Easy Rawlins, who has moved to Los Angeles from Texas seeking opportunity. Easy plans to move up in the world, but unfortunately he has hit a snag. He has recently lost his job. His friend Joddy offers him an out by introducing him to a man who wants to find a woman. Of course at this point things get interesting and aren't as easy as Easy would like. Denzel proves in his role of Easy Rawlins yet again why he is one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood. Denzel is electric. His Easy Rawlins is a man of action, morals, thought and conflict. Did I say he is wearing a sleeveless T? The setting for Devil in a Blue Dress is filled with smoke filled Jazz Clubs, well groomed bungalows, old black sedans sliding along the dark streets. For anyone who loves old private eye films this is a must. This is a whodunit which keeps the viewers attention.
Rating:
Summary: Easy on the eyes
Review: Devil in a Blue Dress starring Denzel Washington has much to recommend it: the post war Los Angeles period setting, an exciting plot, great music and Denzel Washington in a sleeveless T. Denzel plays Ezekiel or Easy Rawlins, who has moved to Los Angeles from Texas seeking opportunity. Easy plans to move up in the world, but unfortunately he has hit a snag. He has recently lost his job. His friend Joddy offers him an out by introducing him to a man who wants to find a woman. Of course at this point things get interesting and aren't as easy as Easy would like. Denzel proves in his role of Easy Rawlins yet again why he is one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood. Denzel is electric. His Easy Rawlins is a man of action, morals, thought and conflict. Did I say he is wearing a sleeveless T? The setting for Devil in a Blue Dress is filled with smoke filled Jazz Clubs, well groomed bungalows, old black sedans sliding along the dark streets. For anyone who loves old private eye films this is a must. This is a whodunit which keeps the viewers attention.
Rating:
Summary: One of Denzel's best flicks
Review: I haven't a clue what those other reviewers were complaining about! I rarely see a flick that lives up to the novel that it was based on, but "Devil in A Blue Dress" comes awfully close! Don Cheadle definantly shines in this one, and Denzel gave his usual brilliant performance! I just wished that they had someone else play Daphne. Jennifer Beals just didn't work to me.
Rating:
Summary: Film Noir at its best.
Review: I haven't enough praise for this movie. Carl Franklin's nigh perfect Devil in a Blue Dress is a showcase for quality filmmaking. The casting, the script, the direction, the art direction are all top notch. Unlike so many other flashy films of the past decade, Devil goes for the things that matter: a richly textured world, an intelligent story and powerhouse acting. Washington simply embodies all the power and majesty of Easy Rawlins. And Don Cheadle should own an Oscar at this moment for his mindblowingly good Mouse. Beyond the beautifully recreated LA of the 1940's, your ears are treated to a peerless soundtrack (I own it on CD!) and you eyes get to feast on the superb cinematography of Tak Fujimoto ("Silence of the Lambs" and "Sixth Sense"). Every facet of this movie shines. Franklin, with help from Walter Mosely's excellent novel, gave us a movie that represents just how incredible the filmgoing experience can be.
|
