GLITZ
US, 1988, 96 minutes, Colour.
Jimmy Smits, John Diehl, Markie Post.
Directed by Sandor Stern.
Glitz is a competent telemovie based on a novel by Elmore Leonard (Stick, 52 Pickup, etc.). Designed for the television audience, it has Jimmy Smits (L.A. Law) as the policeman hero, investigating gangsters in San Juan and Atlantic City, pursued by a prisoner whom he had convicted.
The film has glamorous settings, has quite an amount of action, has intrigue in the world of criminals. It is very much like episodes of television series - but has some strong characterisations, some action - and is enjoyable of its kind.
1. Police thriller? Gangsters? Action?
2. San Juan locations, Atlantic City, Miami? The world of the police, the world of gambling? Violence? Musical score?
3. The title and its tone, the world of Atlantic City and gambling? The high life?
4. The focus on Vincent: the opening, his staking out of the criminals, the shooting, his injury? On holiday in San Juan? His girlfriend, concern about her, not wanting her to take the job in Atlantic City, the confrontation with Jackie Garbo? The meeting with Nancy Donovan? Teddy Magic and his following him, photographing him? His girlfriend going to Atlantic City? Hearing of her death? His going to Atlantic City, the investigation? Friendship with Linda, falling in love, her relationship with her? The friendship with Nancy Donovan? His being ousted from the gambling tables, yet persuading her of the truth about Garbo, getting to use her private plane? The investigation of the girl's death, the talking with Jimmy the security guard, with Ricky? The gangsters and their reputations, accosting them at the table? Talking with Ricky and setting him up, the murder of the gangster? His relationship with Leon, the punch, friendship, persuading him to leave Garbo's employ? The capturing of Ricky? His friendship with the police chief in Atlantic City, handing Ricky over to him? Interviewing Teddy Magic, his mother? Going to San Juan, hoping for Teddy's conviction for the murder of the taxi driver? His getting off? Relationship with the policeman in San Juan? Linda's arrival, the gun, the stalking by Teddy Magic, the final confrontation, his death? With Linda? Going back to his police work?
5. Teddy Magic, the flashback to his crime, in prison, his obsession, getting out, photographing Vincent, the confrontation? Going back to Atlantic City, the fact that he murdered the girl, his vanity in giving away the information to Vincent? With his mother? His going down to San Juan, getting off, the confrontation, in the street, wanting to see Vincent's fear, his death?
6. Vincent's girlfriend, her ambitions, going to Atlantic City, her death? Linda and her singing, friendship with the girl? Discussions with Vincent, the relationship, her being afraid, getting information? Going to San Juan, shooting Magic? The proposal?
7. The world of gambling, Jackie Garbo, drug dealing? Nancy Donovan and her board, efficient and control of the casinos? Her friendship with Vincent? The gangsters, their clean records, going to the gambling? Jimmy and Ricky, the security guards, the murders?
8. The picture of the police, their investigations, hands tied by legal procedure?
9. Leon, his past career, working as a bodyguard, punching Vincent, changing sides and working with him, the interview with Magic's mother?
10. Mrs Magic and her eccentricity, her spoiling of Teddy, the interview with Vincent, explaining her birds to Leon?
11. Popular gangster material? The tough treatment - for the wide television audience?
