SNAKE EYES
US, 1998, 94 minutes, Colour.
Nicolas Cage, Gary Sinise, John Heard, Carla Gugino, Stan Shaw, Kevin Dunn.
Directed by Brian de Palma.
Years ago Brian de Palma made thrillers derived from Hitchcock. He also had great success with The Untouchables. But his patchy career has included Bonfire of the Vanities and Mission:Impossible. Here he returns to post Hitchcock mode along with his extraordinary flair for showy techniques and set designs. The action takes place over a few hours and centres on a political assassination during a rigged boxing match - and is presented to us from several points of view. The initial pace with long single takes on the move is fast and - with Nicolas Cage's frantic performance - furious.
Cage is good as the cop on the take whose immorality does not extend to murder and cover-ups. Gary Sinise is icy as the Gulf War veteran and naval security chief. While the ending is a bit pat and glib, there is quite some excitement and moral probing along the way. Assassinations, cover-ups and morality.
1. A Brian de Palma film? Conspiracy films? Thrillers? His particular style?
2. The title, the casino, Rick's gambling? Kevin's gambling?
3. The opening and the ten-minute single take, tracking of Rick, the flashes around the auditorium? The visual style and pace of the film? Atlantic City, the casino, the fight? The hurricane? The range of songs? Musical score?
4. The introduction to Rick, his frantic behaviour? The long tracking shot, his encounters with people, the bookies, the trainers, the police? Discovering that he was a policeman and a detective? His bets on the fight, his bashing a debtor, his discussion with the newscaster and placing a bet for him? His looking into the rooms of the boxing champ? His encounter with Kevin, their discussion, memories of the past, the situation with the Secretary of Defence and security? His watching the fight, seeing the champ open his eyes at the gunshot, knowing that he had faked the knockout? The young woman sitting next to him, talking to the Secretary of State, the assassination, her being wounded, hurrying out?
5. Rick and the investigation, closing down the stadium, interaction with the Federal Bureau people? The media and the deal with Lou Logan? Taking money for it? His searching for the woman? Looking at the tapes, going through the playing floor of the casino? Seeing the woman, tracking her with Walt's assistance by radio? Going into the room, the escape, sitting on the steps, the reconstruction of the scene, her information about Kevin? His being unwilling to believe it? Finally believing, putting her in a secure place? His discussion with the technicians, finding the new camera, looking at the footage, Kevin being seen? Kevin's arrival, the confrontation, Kevin revealing that he had used Rick because of his attitudes, corruption, unwillingness to take responsibility? Going to the boxer who had sold out, Rick being bashes? The homing device placed by Kevin, Kevin tracking him to the secret place where he had placed the girl? The confrontation, the storm, the police arriving? Rick and his stance? Trying to do something noble?
6. Rick, the background of his family, autograph of the boxer for his son, his relationship with women, picking up the money? His decision to act with integrity? The medal, the indictment, the discussions with Julia, his going to prison?
7. Kevin Dunne, the friendship with Rick, best friends, his being in charge of security? In the Navy, uptight, rigid? Leaving his seat, his talking with the redheaded woman? His taking the blame? The revelation that he was in charge of the assassination, his agents, shooting the assassin, shooting them? Julia not being killed, the need to pursue her? His control of the situation? Finding Julia, following her in the elevator, around the corridors? The confrontation with Rick in the studio? The revelation of his motivation, extreme right-wing patriotism, no scruple about killing opposition, his despising of politicians dismantling programs because of lack of finance? His having Rick bashed? The final confrontation, the police headlights, his shooting himself?
8. Powell, his plans for building a millennium stadium, his friendship with the Secretary of State, the cue for the assassination and his leaving, his plans, investment, his having Kevin do the assassination, the confrontation, wondering whether he was on the list, his going on television after the death of the secretary? His veiled threats towards Kevin? The later indictments and court cases, the change of the strategic plan?
9. Julia, her disguise, with the secretary, the documents? Wounded, escaping, going into the toilet, changing her clothes, picking up the man in the casino, the elevator with Kevin there, going to his room, rescued by Rick, her revelation of the truth, explanations of her role in giving information, her motivation? Locked in, the final confrontation, free? Her later visit to Rick and his explaining that he was going to jail?
10. Lincoln Tyler, the champion, faking the knockout, taking the money, telling everything to Rick, changing his mind and being paid off by Kevin? Bashing Rick? His managers, the other associates in the fight game? Those who wanted to make bets? The commentators?
11. Lou Logan, paying for information and interviews - and the irony of his doing the news item about Rick's going to jail?
12. American conspiracy films, assassination attempts? The blending of politics and thriller?
