THE WRONG MAN

US, 1993, 105 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Anderson, John Lithgow, Rosanna Arquette.
Directed by Jim McBride?.

The Wrong Man is a blend of criminal chase and sex comedy. It is an odd combination, with long stretches of the focusing on the chase while other long stretches focus on the sex comedy. The film has very good Mexican settings, the countryside and Vera Cruz. It also has a strong cast. However, Kevin Anderson is asked to look like an innocent as well as a potential seducer. Rosanna Arquette is present mainly for sex decoration and striptease scenes and for reinforcement of the kooky image of the American woman. John Lithgow has the opportunity to rant and rage in four-letter outbursts.

Anderson portrays a man on the run from the law who accidentally misses his ship where he has enlisted after encountering a man in a bar, an incident with a prostitute, finding the man who had stolen his wallet shot dead. He then teams up with a married couple who spend a lot of the time bickering. The wife is infatuated with him, they have a relationship, it turns out that her husband killed the man at the beginning of the film and he dies, shot, saving the young man's life. The film was directed by Jim McBride? (Breathless, Great Balls of Fire).

1. The impact of the film? Chase comedy? Chase drama? Sex comedy? Combination?

2. The Mexican settings and their authenticity? The towns and the low areas of the port, the countryside, the police, Vera Cruz? Musical score?

3. The focus on Alex Walker, arriving on the ship, wandering the port, in the bar, the encounter with Felix, the prostitute and finding her family there, his rushing out, his wallet stolen, returning to Felix, finding him shot, leaving his wallet? With the gun, on the run? Unable to go by bus? Getting into the car with Missy? The ride with Missy and Philip, the bickering, Missy and her attentions, Philip and his jealousy? The irony that Philip was the killer? Going to Vera Cruz, on the town, in the bars, in the room? Sexual provocation? The night together with Missy? Getting the train, the confrontation with the police, his getting off the train, Philip dying? His future?

4. Missy, kooky and provocative, sex decoration, striptease? Her being married to Philip, her lies and inventions? Provoking Alex, the night together? In love with him or not? The future?

5. Philip, his loud mouth, bickering with Missy, demanding, attitude towards Alex, hostility, friendship? The irony that he had killed Felix? The final confrontation, his asking Alex the truth about Missy? Being shot in his stead?

6. The portrait of the Mexican police, the genial older man who would rather be in bed yet being very shrewd? The young man in his suit and tie, following the letter of the law, ingenuity? His killing the wrong man?

7. The overall effect of this film as regards entertainment? Insight into human nature?