Rating: 
Summary: Crimes, Hitman, Romance & Comedy (& LOVEly Portia de Rossi)
Review: "Who Is Cletis Tout?" ... This uninspiredly named film has received very cold treatment in USA, and it seems to have vanished without trace. Sure, the premise, as I tell you later, sounds like a bad imitation of Quentin Tarantino, but "Cletis" has its own virtue that is totally missing in "Pulp Fiction." This film is, in fact, endowed with a much lighter touch and some comedy flavor, and besides a lot of reference to classic movies in Hollywood, this film has, most incredibly, a romantic side that works well.Christian Slater is Trevor Finch, who is captured by a professional hitman "Critical Jim" played by Tim Allen, in a small hotel room. Now it seems his life is over, but the hitman offers a deal -- tell me your story, and if your story is interesting enough, you might have a chance. In other word, "pitch" me, as screenwriters do before studio executives. Finch begins his story about how he ended up with the present situation, and the film also follows it with flashback. The story of Finch, which revolves around his much elder friend in jail Micah Tobias (Richard Dreyfuss) and the stolen diamonds, has so many twists in the course that you might forget about summerizing it. All I can say is that it involves things like -- fake identity, mistaken target, and the special appearances of Billy Connolly and Rupaul. Anyway, Finch, Micah, and Micah's daughter Tess join in searcing for the treasure, fending off the gangs and cops alike. As you may notice, the film is a homage to the genre of crime noir, and its story is far from predictable. The film takes some very unexpected turn here and there, and shows a very audacious step by introducing an original method of bank robbery (you may smile at it, or you may resent it). Moreover, some part of the story is too incredible, I admit. The most elaborated (or pretentious, you may say) part of "Cletis" is its reference to old films. I don't name them simply because most of them are quite famous. When Tim Allen's hitman refers to the classic films, and he evaluates Finch's story according to the good, old values represented by these classics, you may feel you are living in the age of post-Tarantino genaration. The fact is, however, the touch of "Cletis" is more light-hearted, and though not all references are effective (some are too obvious), the film barely gets away with it, largely thanks to Tim Allen's good performance as acting as a not-so-wicked hitman. Probably, the best part of the film comes from the romantic side shown most effectively by the portrayal of strong-minded girl Tess, played by Portia de Rossi (known as "Ally McBeal"s Nell Porter). Tim Allen's hitman refers to her as a tough girl with a heart of angel, like any Kathleen Hepburn role you pick, and this moviegoing hitman is absolutely right. Ms. Rossi, lovely and lovable more than ever, is as good as, or probably better than, anything she has shown in that popular TV series, and her fans should not miss it. The relation between Tess and Finch is sustained by both actors, and you may not believe me, but Christian Slater is surprisingly good as this unlucky but likable small-time crook. I beleive that with less plot twists and more romance, the film could be better. Still, "Who Is Cletis Tout?" can offer more than you can imagine, if you forget those not-so-effetive film references that might remind you of ... yes, Tarantino again. But the comparison is quite unfair, because the strength of the film comes from very different quarter.
Rating: 
Summary: A throwback worth catching
Review: "Who Is Cletis Tout" is a smart, funny, low-key caper movie that's in love with movies and a delight to watch. The plot, the characters and the tone all remind me of Donald E. Westlake's novels from the late '60s, books such as "God Save the Mark," "The Busy Body" and "The Fugitive Pigeon." As a side note, seek out any or all of those novels, and read them; you won't be disappointed if you like comic capers. The movie is filled with references to other movies (Tim Allen's character, Critical Jim, relates everything to an old movie). One of the less-obvious references includes the "Pulp Fiction"-like circular structure (note: this film is in no way as violent or profane as "Pulp Fiction"). The entire cast appears to really relish their roles and get into the tone of the movie. On the downside, I rented this, and that's all it's worth as a DVD. The DVD has no extras or commentary or any of the other things that make DVDs collectible (it is, however, presented in widescreen format, one of the best reasons to own a DVD player).
Rating:
Summary: crime caper with laughs
Review: Fairly implausible, especially the idea to get the treasure back, 2/3 thru the film. Yet, fairly entertaining, as well, using the idea of Tim Allen, as the man who simply wants to be entertained in the finest of Hollywood tradtion--the classic film as Americana. So, most of the film references are blindingly obvious and are thrown out in an unnecessary, similar manner each time. However, the familiarity of the films that Allen refers to, are enough to make you smile---easy, relaxed entertainment, like play acting or mimicking our favorite lines, as we all have done, with our friends. Not a great movie, verging on the ridiculous, yet you get to see Allen in as odd a role ( for him ), as you'll ever see. Slightly above average, and worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Classic 3-star cinema
Review: For me, the realm of 3-star ratings belongs to films that are worth watching once, don't waste your time by being too long or too stupid, and have enough good moments to hang your hat on....yet the classic 3-star film ruins its own experience too frequently by asking you to accept a bit of business that doesn't make sense, makes a chemistry-poor couple fall in love who hated each other moments before, and otherwise forces your brain to remove itself from the film's created reality and plops you back in your seat saying, "Wha?!" This is the case with this mostly cute little film that trades on its own love affair with old-time Hollywood by injecting hit man Critical Jim (Tim Allen) with the same affliction. It's a quirk that mostly works well, but as he and the leading man (played by Christian Slater) tell the story in flashback, Jim interferes with the story too often. Breaking down the fourth wall is great if done lightly and occasionally, but here his comments on the behind-the-scenes of filmmaking make the audience think too much about how this film is made, rather than allowing us to get lost in the story. Homing pigeons also play a crucial role in the story, yet we never get any clue how they know where they're supposed to go in this story, and without an explanation it makes absolutely no sense. The story itself is clever enough and engaging, and I was never tempted to shut the VCR off, which lifts it above a 2-star dud, at least. And the ending, or I should say the postscript after the "guy gets the girl as expected" ending, is perfect. Certainly worth a rental, especially now that it's in the cheapo section.
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: I do not see as many movies as those hard core critics out there and, as an average movie goer, I have only one criteria for judging movies - entertainment value. It would be unfair to compare this movie with Pulp Fiction, because, well, its not, but I'll tell you one thing it is a fun and very worthwhile picture. Tim Allen, Christian Slater, Richard Dryfus, Portia de Rossi, and Billy Connely all contribute to this fine work and I certainly suggest you rent it and find out for yourself. You might be suprised, so long as you do not expect it to be something it is not.
Rating: 
Summary: what a find!
Review: I had never seen this movie mentioned anywhere in theaters or DVD. I loved Tim Allen as a hit man. That alone makes the movie worth watching it.
Rating:
Summary: what a find!
Review: I had never seen this movie mentioned anywhere in theaters or DVD. I loved Tim Allen as a hit man. That alone makes the movie worth watching it.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie that could have been great
Review: It's always annoying when movies don't live up to their potential, and it's sad to say that the unimaginatively named "Who is Cletis Tout?" is one such movie. The fact is that with its stellar cast, quirky plot, and intelligent dialogue, this movie should have coalesced into something on the level of "Pulp fiction" in its perfection. Instead, the movie falls short of such a high level, but the result is still downright enjoyable.
Christian Slater does a pretty good job of playing Finch, the somewhat worse-for-wear con who impersonates a man more wanted than himself. Portia Di Rossi, in a great departure from her "Ally McBeal" past plays an excellent heroine and love interest, giving her role all the spunkiness and freshness that is required. The one who truly shines though (and who elevates the movie's level tremendously), is Tim Allen, as a hitman with a penchant for old movies. The final shot with him doing a quick homage to Gene Kelly is worth the price of admission alone.
All in all, a pretty good movie, but one that could have been better.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie that could have been great
Review: It's always annoying when movies don't live up to their potential, and it's sad to say that the unimaginatively named "Who is Cletis Tout?" is one such movie. The fact is that with its stellar cast, quirky plot, and intelligent dialogue, this movie should have coalesced into something on the level of "Pulp fiction" in its perfection. Instead, the movie falls short of such a high level, but the result is still downright enjoyable.
Christian Slater does a pretty good job of playing Finch, the somewhat worse-for-wear con who impersonates a man more wanted than himself. Portia Di Rossi, in a great departure from her "Ally McBeal" past plays an excellent heroine and love interest, giving her role all the spunkiness and freshness that is required. The one who truly shines though (and who elevates the movie's level tremendously), is Tim Allen, as a hitman with a penchant for old movies. The final shot with him doing a quick homage to Gene Kelly is worth the price of admission alone.
All in all, a pretty good movie, but one that could have been better.
Rating:
Summary: Worth finding out who he is!
Review: Not a bad movie at all, despite what most reviewers have said. It mixes a jewel heist, a romance, and my personal favorite - a case of mistaken identity. Christian Slater plays an escaped convict, Trevor Finch, who takes the name of a tabloid photographer, one Cletis Tout. Unfortunately, poor Mr. Tout has just been rubbed out by a Mafia hit man, and now the Mafia thinks they have the wrong man. When the first two hit men fail to take out Finch, they call in Critical Jim (Tim Allen), who, by his own admission, has two great loves - his job and Hollywood films. And apparently, he's got a photographic memory for the latter. One of the most unique movies I've seen!
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