Eastwood Still Has It!

by Jason R. Hewlett

We've been bombarded by a truckload of high gloss, MTV style entertainment lately. "Cruel Intention," "The Corrupter," "She's All That" to name a few. I like that particular style of film making when the films have more to them than just that. When all you have is style and no substance than your film is lost. However, sometimes all you need is substance and no style and you've got a gold mine which is the case of the new thriller from the legendary Clint Eastwood.

"True Crime" is probably the most entertaining movie to come along all year but when you look at Eastwood's history in movies as an actor, a director, and as both then it's no surprise. This man knows movies and is such a joy to watch that you can't help but be sucked in by his presence alone. Through in a fun and powerful story from the novel by Andrew Klavan plus solid supporting performances by James Woods, Denis Leary, Diane Venora and Isaiah Washington and it's hard to complain at all.

The story involves maverick reporter Steve Everret (played by Eastwood) as he is handed a human interest story about a black man about to be killed by lethal injection for the murder of a young woman six years earlier. However, Everret smells that something is wrong and begins his own investigation to see whether Washington is actually guilty or not. The catch: he's got about twelve hours to do it in.

Eastwood paces his film meticulously. Things start slowly and lazily, just like any average day. We see him cheat on his wife, take his daughter to the zoo, and begin to look into Washington's case. Then, as he learns more and more, the film moves quicker and quicker until everything explodes at the end and we are left breathless as he races against time to save what could be an innocent man. Eastwood has a minimalist style too. He doesn't rely on showy camera angles or high gloss lighting and sound. Everything in his film looks and feels real and he lets the actors and the script do all the work. It's really a treat to see a talent at work, a real talent.

There's not much more that can be said. "True Crime" is a gem of a movie. It's what real filmmaking is all about!

9 out of 10!