NARROW MARGIN
US, 1990, 92 minutes, Colour.
Gene Hackman, Anne Archer, James B Sikking, J.T. Walsh, M. Emmett Walsh.
Directed by Peter Hyams.
Narrow Margin is an up-dating of the classic 50s thriller directed by Richard Fleischer,
This film was written for the screen and directed (as well as photographed) by Peter Hyams whose range of films include such thrillers as Busting, Peeper. The film is beautifully photographed, mainly in the Canadian Rockies, especially with the Canada Rail train to Vancouver. There is also some adrenalin pumping stunt work, a helicopter chasing a car, fights and action on the train itself, especially the roof.
The film has a familiar enough plot: a witness to murder, her running away, tracked down by the police to he protected, betrayal, pursued by killers. While the outcome is predictable, it is enjoyable in its way as we follow through the action. Gene Hackman is his competent self in the leading role of the policeman. Ann Archer is the witness. James R Sikking ( L.A.Law) acts against type as one of the assassins. Harris Yulin is the gangster chief.
1. Entertaining action thriller? Train, journey? Chase? Witnesses and witness protection?
2. The wide screen photography, Los Angeles settings, affluence, police precincts? The Canadian Rockies, the car pursuit and stunt work, the train going through the mountains, the stunt work on the train? The appropriate musical score?
3. The film as a remake of a brief 50s black and white classic? Updated and amplified? Retaining the conventions? The glossy style of 1990?
4. The meeting with Carol and Michael, the blind date, the affluent hotel, drinks, the set up of the phone call, the room, the revelation about Michael and his double dealings with money, links to crime, Leo and his visit, the interrogation, the double crossing, the murder? Carol and her overhearing, the witness to murder, her fear remaining in the room, leaving and running away? Her later explanations of taking her son to her ex-husband? Her friend giving the police the information?
5. Caulfield and Benti, the information about Leo Watts, the pursuit of Watts? Going to the District Attorney, his prim style, the accusation about the media? His assistant? The information given? The caution of the D.A? Caulfield and his impulsiveness, Benti's story, going to the hideout?
6. The spectacular helicopter ride, the interrogation of Carol, the easy touch and the sudden gun burst? Benti's death? Carol and Caulfield escaping in the car, the helicopter pursuit, the dangers, buying the tickets, getting the private room from the couple, onto the train? The assassins and the destruction of the other helicopter, their getting on the train, seeing Caulfield?
7. The action on the train: Carol in the room, the assassins, Caulfield and his going into the room with the mother and son (later the son with the toy gun and his making him a deputy)? Concealed in the room, the assassins looking for the briefcase? Continually going back to the room? Caulfield and his devices for hiding Carol? The interaction between the two, her hostility, not wanting to go back to testify? His presumption that she was the lawyer's girlfriend? The eventual telling of the truth, her plain story, his apology? The night on the train, the train stops, trying to get some sleep? Caulfield and his plan, the phone call to E.A., the betrayal by the assistant? At the train stop, the two men pretending to be police, Caulfield tricking them, the attack in the restroom, the pursuit and his running to get back on the train? His meeting with the woman and casually talking with her? His suspicions of the fat man? The eluding of the assassins, their discussion and offering to buy him off? The morning discussion with the woman? The irony of the pursuit, his assuming that the assassins would mistake the woman? The death of the fat man revealed to be a police man? Going onto the roof? The fight with the assassin and his falling off the train? The fight on the roof and its desperation? The revelation of the woman as criminal and her death?
8. The court case, Carol giving testimony, Leo Watts and his condemnation, rubbing his collar in discomfort, Caulfield and his interrogation and satisfaction?
9. The popular ingredients of the action thriller. the thriller on a train? The quick delineation of characters, relying on stereotypes, but brought to life by the strength of the performances? Satisfying thriller?
