Love and Action in Chicago

A movie for an evening at home -- not a great movie, but paced and plotted so that the tape will probably play to the end, with no one being bored -- a predictable end, but one would not expect heavy drama or deep tragedy from this comedy/action/romance film. The cast is talented and do well with their roles; Courtney Vance emits his usual likeable screen personna and is as convincing when wielding a gun as he is when kissing his girl, well played by Regina King and the chemistry between Vance and King is believable. Jason Alexander and Regina King perform a cute dance scene. The confession in the church is one instance when the humor has an original note. You may not hold your breath at the suspense ending but will probably keep your eyes on the screen. All in all, a good one for a dinner and a movie evening.

Have to say that "L&A in C" is a charming independent. Courtney B. Vance and Regina King have unmistakable chemistry as the celibate hit-man and flighty-but-feisty femme. Yes, the bloom's off Kathleen Turner's rose and Jason Alexander will forever be George Costanza, but sharpen your focus on these two and you're missing the entire point of "L&A ..." It's about Vance and King as two people who haven't yet realized they're meant for each other. It's about their dance on the way to that realization and your jubilation once they get there. Class A stuff, probably not. Novice director Dwayne Johnson-Cochran hasn't helmed anything since, but his debut effort here proved he could write a come-hither B-flick that proves irresistible when HBO is airing "Bruce Almighty" for the umpteenth time.

Courtney B. Vance played Eddie, a government hired assassin who wants to leave his job behind. He gets reassigned to Chicago and paired up with Regina King's Lois. They make a believable couple. Ed Asner and Kathleen Turner played their superiors. The film is also and a bit dated. Largely shot on location in Chicago and Michigan, the film has some memorable moments. You can see the actors talent such as Courtney B. Vance and Regina King even 20 years ago.

Eddie Jones (Courtney B. Vance) is a hitman, working for U. S. Government: he eliminates persons that the government has problem or does not like. He is 'working' a lot and saving some money for his retirement. Good and faithful catholic, he has not had sex for three years. While confessing, he tries to bargain his murders by his celibate with God. His boss is 'Middleman' (Kathleen Turner), who likes him and decides to arrange a date for Eddie. She orders Eddie to meet Lois Newton (Regina King) in a restaurant, and after a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, mainly due to Eddie's profession, they fall in love (and lust) for each other. This action-comedy-romance is really very funny. Courtney B. Vance usually works in 'serious' movies, and he has a great performance in this black-humor comedy. There are at least three scenes that make this movie worthwhile: Eddie's confession, when he tries to bargain his penitence with the priest; Eddie's first date with Lois, when she is pregnant; and the misunderstanding of Frank Bonner (Jason Alexander) with the profession of Lois. A great entertainment, that makes laughing a lot. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): 'Amor e Ação em Chicago' ('Love and Action in Chicago')

Eddie Jones (Courtney B. Vance) is a hitman, working for U. S. Government. He eliminates persons that the government has problem or does not like. He is 'working' a lot and saving some money for his retirement. Good and faithful catholic, he has not had sex for three years. While confessing, he tries to bargain his murders by his celibate with God. His boss is "Middleman" (Kathleen Turner), who likes him and decides to arrange a date for Eddie. She orders Eddie to meet Lois Newton (Regina King) in a restaurant, and after a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, mainly due to Eddie's profession, they fall in love (and lust) with each other.

"Love and Action in Chicago" is an action-comedy-romance really very funny. Courtney B. Vance usually works in "serious" movies, and has a great performance in this black-humor comedy. There are at least three scenes that make this film worthwhile watching: Eddie's confession, when he tries to bargain his penitence with the priest; Eddie's first date with Lois, when she is pregnant; and the misunderstanding of Frank Bonner (Jason Alexander) with the profession of Lois. In the end, "Love and Action in Chicago" is a great entertainment that makes laugh a lot. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Amor e Ação em Chicago" ("Love and Action in Chicago")