Quicksand

So says The Daily Mail as they not only want to give this film away as a 'freebie' with their newspaper, they are trying to make us want it too, because, this is a Michael Keaton, not Caine, film.

Caine gets to shout 'bloody' again (as in his most famous ever line, in The Italian Job), this time about money he's owed, or he owes - not always sure who is pointing guns at whom, or why, the next, they're in a heap on the floor. Keaton is seemably always on the run, after setting off for south of France to dig up some info on some deal that's been flagged up as dodgy. Next thing, he's shot the Chief of Police, on Armistice Day, in a French town and everybody has seen him do it - and yes! there's a very convenient film crew who almost knew he was about to do it...The investigating police are dodgy as there's all sorts of cover-ups going on, to do with porno film rackets and illegal immigrants and such, I think..(nothing too explicit, cert 15).

Anyway, this credibility straining movie, in old style 4:3 ratio has its moments, cannot recall too many of them, now, that it's finished, except Caine, who is really quite obnoxious, but in a Michael Caine sort of way - i.e - we know he's such a great guy in real life so we forgive him (& for his not-too-rare dodgy choices of film roles) as he gets to try strangling folk, with his bare hands as well as string, or rope, or whatever...

Some of the French actresses are pleasing, both to the eye and their attempt at adding a different perspective to an otherwise quite unpleasant film.

Never mind, this is still better than some Michael Caine movies out there and the transfer quality and sound is OK.

Jake Mellows (Michael Keaton) is a divorced American banker sent to Monaco to investigate the possibility of laundering of money. Apparently the laundry of money was made through the production of films. In Monaco, he meets Lela Forin (Judith Godrèche), the financial manager of Miramax films, and Michael Caine, a decadent, alcoholic and gambler previously famous actor of action movies. Being in Europe, makes him promise his teenager daughter to visit her in London. Then, he gets absurdly involved in the murdering of the ports chief of police of Monaco. Then he realizes that most of the high level characters of the story are somehow involved with corruption. Next, his daughter is kidnapped. Jake will have to fight against powerful persons trying to save his daughter and himself and prove his innocence. This plot is so absurd and has so many `holes' that becomes funny. The murdering of the ports chief of police `à la Kennedy' and how and why Jake is blamed are ridiculous. Anyway, if the viewer do not have nothing better to do in a rainy Saturday afternoon, there is a chance to enjoy this flick. The excellent Michael Caine is not decadent yet like his character, and Michael Keaton is a good actor. My vote is five.

Well-paced thriller but nothing special , based on the book "Boudapesti 3" by Desmond Lowden. Dealing with a banker , Martin Raikes (Michael Keaton) , head of the compliance section of a New York City bank , as he journeys to Monaco to investigate the ominous activities of a company , he then finds himself framed for murder and running for his life and other convenient obstacles with no much sense . As he encounters his life dragging him into a new circle of violence . The workaholic banker meets a tarnished secondary actor (Michael Caine) who has become embroiled in criminal activities as well as a suspicious film executive called Lela Forin (Judith Godrèche) . He's running for his life and running out of time. Bury The Truth

Routine thriller about a twisted criminal intrigue with chills, thrills , suspense , twists and turns . Run-of-the-mill intriguing flick with crossfire , killings , betrayals and multiple mayhem . Passable interpretation from Micahel Keaton as a workaholic banker who flies to Monaco to investigate unusual deposits from an offshore bank and becomes involved into problem . However , Michael Caine steals the show , as he is the principal component of this action thriller by giving a nice and believable support acting in his usual style as a down-on-his-luck international movie star , as he is splendid as a tarnished but sympathetic actor who collaborates with starring to discover the truth . This movie Quicksand came out in 2003, several years later ¨Honorary Consul¨ (1983), which was the first cinematic collaboration of Sir Michael Caine and filmmaker John Mackenzie along with ¨The Fourth Protocol¨(1987) . Along with the gorgeous Judith Godrèche as a cinema company producer , Rade Serbedzija as a sinister financer , Xander Berkeley , Matthew Marsh , Elina Löwensohn , Hermione Norris , Jean Pierre Castaldi and Kathleen Wilhoite.

This B-style motion picture was regular but professionally directed John MacKenzie , being his final theatrical movie . This British filmmaker was a good professional who made some successes and flops . Craftsman John began working in TV plays , which inspired him and gave him the best training to shot , it also taught him how to work quickly . He made three features early in his career, the best being Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1971), a superb Hitchcockian thriller which proved his skill at suspense, something his no-one seemed to remember for another ten years. He returned to TV to enjoy the golden age on Play for Today (1970), and formed a fruitful collaboration with Scottish writer Peter McDougall for four brilliant films. The first, Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975), won the Prix Italia. Mckenzie also directed Dennis Potter's Play for Today: Double Dare Mackenzie was one of Britain's finest directors with nice results in his enjoyable films . He moved to length features decisively with his biggest hit : "Long Good Friday" , but a decade spent in Hollywood that proved to be unfulfilling , artistically , shooting failures as "Honorary Consul, "The Innocents" , "Blue Code" and "Ruby" . Although McKenzie was never achieved the recognition he richly deserves , he was a notorious director , though sadly deceased in 2011 at 72 years old . Rating Quicksand (2003) : 5/10 . Well worth seing , but only for Michael Keaton and Michael Caine fans . The yarn will appeal to thriller hardcore enthusiasts .

It's not that good, but not too bad either. It's nice if you love France but are not there. If you're looking for a thriller, look elsewhere. The characters are rather flat, like cardboard cut outs. The plot is predictable and surreal, if not totally unreal. And, the chemistry between the characters are dry. Like between Keaton's character and the lead actress - you almost hope there's nothing going on between them because it'd be too predictable, but at the same time, you don't have the chance to hope so because it seems like there's no spark at all between them. It's rather hard too to tell who's who for each other unless you listen to their dialogue. Just too bad I missed the blinking corpse part - I didn't watch from the beginning! To be fair, it kept me watching until the end, and it's rather amusing to watch the predictable flow.

I love Michael Keaton, but let's face it, the man hasn't done much since such classics as Batman and Johnny Dangerously. I'm still looking for a Michael movie that catches my eye because he is such a hidden talent. Quicksand is just like the others, average and nothing special as well as poorly written. It actually had potential to have suspense and an edge on your seat type of thrill ride, but ends up like most thrillers, because if you've seen the big shockers, then you have pretty much from that point see the rip offs. The acting is OK and the ending? Not so much to do with, this was an amateur movie and an insult to both Michaels. Let's hope for better improvements in the future!

6/10