CAT CHASER
US, 1988, 98 minutes, Colour.
Peter Weller, Kelly Mc Gillis, Charles Durning, Frederic Forrest, Thomas Milian.
Directed by Abel Ferrara.
Cat Chaser is based on the taut thriller by Elmore Leonard. Leonard co-wrote the screenplay and keeps it close to the outline of his novel as well as the characters and interactions. Other versions of Leonard novels include Glitz, Stick, 52 Pick- Up and The Ambassador (also based on 52 Pick-Up). He wrote the screenplay for Desperado and a number of episodes in the series as well as High Noon 2.
The film was well cast with Peter Weller as the veteran of the US liberating force in the Dominican Republic in 1965, the owner of a dilapidated apartment block in Florida in the '80s. Kelly Mc Gillis is the glamorous wife of the former director of the secret police in the Dominican Republic, played by Thomas Milian. Frederick Forrest is good as the conman who watches people for money and reports to bosses. Charles Durning is also the private eye, former policeman, corrupt and biding his time for a large robbery. Juan Fernandes is the smooth Puerto Rican who is eventually out of his depth.
The film moves from Florida to the Dominican Republic and has the atmosphere of the Caribbean and the interaction between the United States and the Caribbean nations - especially the Americans going in to `liberate' peoples. The film also has all the elements of the tough thriller, the planned robbery, the assassinations, the tough attitudes of the hero, the romance. There is a voice-over which offers a perspective on all the characters, especially the hero George Moran.
Cat Chaser was the name of the unit in the Dominican Republic in 1965.
The film was directed by Abel Ferrara, best known for television's Crime Story but director of stylised gritty thrillers including Fear City, China Girl, King of New York. This is his most polished film.
1.Interesting and entertaining thriller, drama? The work of Elmore Leonard? Abel Ferrara? Tough blend?
2.Florida settings, the beach and the apartments? The atmosphere of the Dominican Republic? The prologue and flashbacks with the re-creation of the invasion?
3.The title, the invasion during the credits, the American forces, code names? Revolutions and their consequences? Symbol?
4.The voice-over and the perspective on George Moran, his behaviour, interactions, moral stances? A point of view for the audience?
5.George, the credits and the flashback, his experience of the war, Lucy almost shooting him? The importance of the Lucy episode - and his wanting to find her again? His quest? The irony of her final letter and memories of their encounter? The question about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones typifying the futility of war? His experience and its effect? In Florida, his apartment block, the lack of guests? Pool work, his assistant? The sister and the piano-player in the room? The discussion with La Boya's sister? Nolan's arrival, the six-pack, his drinking, sitting by the pool? George watching the ball game with him? Jigs's arrival, his discussions, taking the guests away?
6.George going to the Dominican Republic? The taxi driver, the information about Lucy, the newspaper advertisement, the crowd of girls? Raffi and his offer to help? Meeting Mary, in love with her, his having reassured La Boya that he had not made a move? Their affair? His return home, Nolan minding shop while he was away? The build-up to the plan about La Boya's money, and Mary leaving La Boya?
7.Jigs and his plan for robbing the $2,000,000? Nolan being in on it? Raffi and his involvement? George listening to Jigs's plan but not committing himself? Mary not wanting to be involved? Nolan and his hopes?
8.La Boya and his relationship with Mary, their marriage, the pre-nuptial agreement? His wanting to change it? His violent humiliation of Mary, bashing her? His bodyguards and thugs? His past, role in the Dominican Republic, torturing people? The stories told about him? His taking of the money? His discussion with Jigs, explanation of people telling the truth, strip them naked rather than torture them? Raffi and his stories about physical violence, castration with shears? The attitude towards terrorists? The attack on his house, the explosion on the wharf? The terrorists' sign? The phone call (by Jigs) and the evacuation of his house?
9.The group of people at La Boya's and his tough stance? Nolan and his talking, being pushed into the pool and drowning? Raffi shot? The ruthlessness of La Boya and his henchmen? Mary deciding to leave?
10.Jigs, his taking La Boya away, George accusing him of taking La Boya down? The arrival at the house, his going to the toilet - and their attempting to shoot him? His getting the gun on them, stripping La Boya, putting him in the shower, shooting them? The irony that Mary had switched the money cases? His going to confront Mary and George, his wanting deals, threatening them? George shooting him? George getting the police on the phone to come?
11.Mary, walking out on La Boya, her decision to take the money - an on-the-spot decision? The irony of the switched cases? Her going with George, the discussion about the money, Jigs's arrival, her refusing to give the money - and George shooting him? Their future?
12.The voice-over commentary on what had happened? That George would be different?
13.The Caribbean setting and the effect of interaction between Americans and the peoples of the Caribbean? The corruption and violence with La Boya? The bonds with Lucy?
14.The contrast of people from the world of Detroit trying to cope in the Caribbean? Violence, relationships - and a future?
