(Rated R, 103 mins.)
Val Kilmer stars as Danny Parker, a man who witnessed the murder of his wife and goes undercover to avenge her death. On his journey in search of redemption, he befriends slacker Jimmy “The Finn” (Peter Sarsgaard) and becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Collette (Deborah Kara Unger) from her own demons, yet gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected surprises. Clearly this year’s “Memento” with a bit of “Trainspotting”, Kilmer is the tattooed anti-hero whose story surpasses basic noir as he narrates his double life. Only a fine actor like this could pull off two roles inside of one. Supporting cast Vincent D’Onofrio as a coke-head drug dealer and Anthony LaPaglia, as a manipulative narcotics cop are thoughtfully cast. But, it’s the plot of ever changing twists and turns in a drug deal gone wrong that will keep you on the roller coaster, until it’s rather disappointing conclusion. Yet, it’s a fun ride getting there right from the get-go with a haunting moment of Kilmer blowing a trumpet of Miles Davis memories surrounded by flames of fire, reflective of his own inner burning.
