Pilgrim

i've always appreciated ray liotta as an actor, and always agree to view a film of his if such an opportunity rises. phoenix was an interesting experience, in my opinion. experience, not in particular a great film, but works okay as a film too.

out of the supporting cast armin mueller-stahl wasn't interesting, but the other white-heared guy was good. gloria reuben wasn't either good or bad.. but there's something about those desert winds, and liotta standing on the balcony like a comic book character with his hands tied and back straight, like blueberry. ray gives another great performance in this film i think people need to recognize. basically it's the sombre and humble tone the movie goes through that impresses me. b-movie, granted, but it doesn't try to pretend to be anything else. it just concentrates on the story and leaves the bombs and cool cuts to others.

perhaps it only attracts people like me who like to be in the storm centre where it's not so windy but you can feel the pressure. doing this for the second time today, i give this a seven to promote an underrated film with integrity.

I will be hard pressed to come up with 10 lines about this film. From the title and since it went (I believe.) straight to video, I did not expect much. However, Liotta gives his usual competent performance and Mueller-Stahl is his usual evil self. The alternate film title, Inferno, is irrelevant to the story and and was chosen only to lend itself to the stupid gratuitous nudity in the strip-bar of the same name. Why writers/directors think the public (at least the public over 17 years old) is still enamored with topless women walking (dancing?) around poles is beyond me. It is obviously voyeuristic, out of place and plainly stupid.

I gave it a score of 7 because the story does generate some interesting suspense and because I truly adore Gloria Ruben. Why she never made it big in Hollywood is a mystery, I find her simply glorious (sorry for the pun).

Inferno is one of the the new (by now old) breed of "post-Tarantino" noirs. I suppose we're all tired of that term by now, but one mustn't forget that for every two or three lousy rip-offs of Mr. QT there's been at least one good one. Interestingly enough, the last film of this ilk that I truly enjoyed was "Phoenix", which also starred Mr. Liotta- (Ray, what have you done to relegate yourself to B-World?). Pilgrim's premise is not very novel but when an amnesia thriller is done right, it's almost always riveting. Herein lies the flaw of "Phoenix". Without giving too much away, I can tell you that most of the suspense about "where am I, who am I, and what have I done" is done in by flashbacks early in the film, and the denouement is rote and by the numbers-(and, as far as this reviewer is concerned, asked more questions than it answered). What did I like about the film? The acting- (especially by Liotta, who is way cool in these sorts of roles) is passable all around. The atmosphere and desert cinematography are creepy and lush, respectively. Pilgrim is a frustrating near-miss...(or is it near-hit?). 3 out of 5 on the Corkymeter, with a full point of that earned single-handedly by Rebel Ray. Let's all wish him a little less "Turbulence" in his career and hope that he can become the "Good fella" that we remember! (Many apologies for that, I just couldn't resist).

Ray Liotta gives a believable performance as an amnesia victim, saved from the desert by Gloria Reuben. Piecing together his dark past, and it's relevance to a missing suitcase full of money, is the storyline behind "Inferno". The Mexican desert locations add tremendously to the film, and thankfully there are few if any surprises, especially no convoluted ending. Most flashback movies become confusing which eventually drags them down (see "Memento"). "Inferno" is understandable, exciting, has great photography, and the acting by all concerned is good. Highly recommended, for Ray Liotta fans. It's just a damn good movie that delivers. - MERK

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Pilgrim is an intriguing,well plotted little thriller,a lot in the vein of the similar but superior recent Guy Pearce hit Memento.The plot has been intricately disected,and cleverly maps itself out along the way.Ray Liotta has always been an undervalued actor in receipt of scripts that perhaps don't suit his acting limits,and this small film quietly conveys them in a none enforcing manner.However,the film does feel kind of stretched out.It seems long for 91 minutes,but luckily,for all it was aiming to be,this is the only target it misfires on.***