Search - Mercy on DVD

Skip This One Unless You're Sam Rockwell Fan

Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 12/02/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Back in 1996, they made this little thriller featuring John Rubinstein, who plays the role of one rich New York tycoon Frank Kramer. His daughter is kidnapped, and Frank is forced to obey the orders given by the voice from the other side of the phone. He must use literally everything to save her.

Sounds interesting? Sure, the premise is pretty good, but the direction is awful, just ineffective. No thrills (even a cheaper one) come from the cliched characters and contrived situations, and if the film shows a 'rich' man, it means that he always should act incredibly bossy, clad in an expensive coat, sitting in the backseat of a limo. And if the film must show a taxi driver, he must be a dishonest oppotunist with a thick accent. This is an unbelievably insensitive slur against some people, but the film doesn't seems to be aware of it.

And as the film shows no sense of time, there is no point of the criminal's (Sam Rockwell) giving the deadlines. In fact, Frank goes to the appointed places so easily that we find no meeaning or suspence in watching him running around and around in midnight New York City.

As you see the film, it shows that there is another girl named Ruby as partner in crime, and she has a hidden motive to make him suffer. However, the characters are, as I said, one of the most cliched ones ever made, and Ruby's pains, which are depicted with a superficial touch, start to look just an excuse for making this awful thriller. And ... sorry, but what a bad acting from this girl!

THE ONLY MERIT OF THE FILM IS SAM ROCKWELL, who was then about to gather the attentions from critics and audiences alike. If you're his fan and want to be a perfect collector of his films, see this one. Otherwise, skip, and save your time and money."